The Neuropsychologist provides specialized assessment and consultation services focused on understanding brain-behavior relationships. This role involves evaluating cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning, interpreting results in the context of neurological and medical conditions, offering recommendations to support patient care and treatment planning, as well as providing feedback to patients and family members.
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Licensure. Applicants must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Exception: Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment as a "graduate psychologist" at the GS-11 or GS-12 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 [(c)(2)(B)] for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that such a psychologist provide care only under the supervision of a psychologist who is licensed. Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. Education. Applicant must have a doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time the program was completed. The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicants are to be employed. For the purpose of meeting this requirement, the term "specialty area" refers to the specific specialty areas recognized by the accrediting body and not to specific job duties that might require special skills. Currently, APA accredits doctoral programs in the specialty areas of clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology, or combinations of two or more of those areas. PCSAS accredits doctoral programs in psychological clinical science. CPA accredits doctoral programs in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, clinical neuropsychology, and school psychology; OR Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully complete a re-specialization program (including documentation of an approved internship completed as part of the re-specialization program) meeting both of the following conditions: The re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and The specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. OR Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature. AND Internships. Applicants must have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that was accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed and that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed OR New VHA psychology internship programs that are in the process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement, provided that such programs were sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an intern OR VHA facilities that offered full-time, one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre-1979) are considered to be acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement OR Applicants who completed an internship that was not accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed may be considered eligible for hire only if they are currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed OR Applicants who have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature may fulfill this internship requirement by having the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience in a site specifically acceptable to the candidate's doctoral program. If the internship experience is not noted on the applicant's official transcript, the applicant must provide a statement from the doctoral program verifying that the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience was completed in a site acceptable to the doctoral program. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). GS-13 Grade Level Requirement (Full Performance Level): Applicants must have at least 2 years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health. Knowledge of clinical research literature. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G18- Psychologist Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); straight pulling (2 hours); reaching above shoulder; walking (2 hours); standing (2 hours); repeated bending (2 hours); near vision corrected to 13" to 16"; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and 20/40 in the other; and hearing (aid permitted).
Major Duties Include Not Limited To: Provides a full range of neuropsychological and psychological assessment services including clinical interview, collection of collateral information, selection and administration of assessment instruments, provision of diagnoses, and provision of treatment or other recommendations. Performs evaluations for veterans with a variety of neuropsychological, psychological and neurological disorders including, but not limited to, neurodegenerative disorders, stroke, TBI, epilepsy, movement disorders, neurotoxic disorders, neuroinfectious disease, hydrocephalus, substance use disorders, learning disability, ADHD and any other psychological disorders. Remains involved in program development, evaluation and/or research activities. Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions: individual and family psychoeducation, caregiver stress support, neurocognitive rehabilitation and psychotherapy in the outpatient and inpatient settings. Provides interdisciplinary consultation on patient and systems issues as related to clinical psychology and neuropsychology. Provides Supervision of trainees observing or providing direct clinical care: Practicum students (undergraduate and graduate) Supervises trainee program evaluation and/or research activities. In addition to outpatient care provided on-site, psychologist must be certified in the provision of telehealth forms of care, including facility-to-facility and home telehealth services. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: a. Knowledge of, and ability to apply, advanced professional psychological and neuropsychological theories and practices to the full range of patient populations. b. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and neuropsychology. c. Knowledge of community resources, how to make appropriate referrals to community and other governmental agencies for services, and ability to coordinate services. d. Skill in independently conducting psychosocial assessments and treatment interventions to a wide variety of individuals from various socio-economic, educational, and other backgrounds. e. Knowledge of medical and mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures (i.e. acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology) to formulate a treatment plan. f. Skill in independently implementing different treatment modalities in working with individuals, families, and groups who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, 8 medical, and social problems to achieve treatment goals. g. Ability to perform basic research tasks of scholarship and research execution within the context of an established research team, data acquisition, maintenance and collaboration. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00 AM - 04:30 PM Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized