The Staff Psychologist (Substance Use Disorder/PTSD Clinical Team) engages in serving Veterans with Substance Use Disorders (SUD) within the Mental Health Service Line (MHSL) at the Jacksonville Medical Center. 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education 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. 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. Internship 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. (NOTE: Once board certified, the employee is required to maintain board certification.) 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. Licensure: 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. English Language Proficiency: Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. Staff Psychologist GS-11 (Entry Level) Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. Staff Psychologist GS-12 (Developmental Level) Experience: At least one (1) year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Psychologists who are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist but with less intense supervision than at the GS-11 grade level. Staff Psychologist GS-13 (Full Performance Level) Experience: At least two (2) years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one (1) year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Preferred Experience: Treating/Managing SUD population/programs. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005/103 Part II Appendix G18 Psychologist Qualification Standard. https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-13. Physical Requirements: The work requires patience and emotional regulation. The work may require using appropriate techniques to physically restrain patients who present a danger to self or others. The work may also require assisting physically disabled Veterans. Day-to-day work involves sitting, walking, standing and carrying light objects. Some of the work is performed in a setting away from the office, where the environment cannot be controlled. ["**Amended to extend closing date until 12/31/2024** The incumbent is a Licensed Independent Provider who diagnoses mental disorders, conducts psychological assessments, treats mental disorders through a variety of modalities, provides adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical disorders, and may conduct research. These requirements apply to all NF/SG psychologists, including those assigned to VA Medical Centers, Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), free-standing VA Outpatient Clinics, Veterans Outreach Centers, or Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) offices. This work may include the following: providing professional clinical services, conducting research, carrying out education and training activities, carrying out program evaluation activities, clinical consultation, supervision and administration. The SUD/PTSD Psychologist is a substance use disorder clinician who will work as a member of both the PRSD Clinical Team (PCT) and the Substance Abuse Treatment Team (SATT). Reporting to the functional leader for Substance Use Disorders (SUD) treatment, this psychologist will specifically provide care to veterans with dual PTSD-SUD diagnoses on both clinical teams. In particular, the focus of this position is to offer prevention services for veterans with PTSD to diminish risk of them developing a SUD, and psychological services to veterans who have SUD to enhance mental health outcomes for those with mental health problems associated with trauma. This psychologist is expected to facilitate an intersection between specialty care for SUD and for PTSD, leading an enhanced experience for veterans who need care provided by both teams. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services including assessment and using the most appropriate and evidence-based psychotherapeutic techniques in providing quality care. Performs evaluations for Veterans with substance abuse problems and trauma. Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions including individual and group psychotherapy, marital/family psychotherapy. Member of both the PTSD Clinical Team (PCT) and Substance Abuse Treatment Team (SATT) providing services to Veterans in both clinical settings, including Veterans in the SUD Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs. Consults with professional staff on a wide variety of patient care issues. Position primarily is focused on providing assessments and interventions within Substance Use Disorders and PTSD clinical care. Applies a wide range or professional psychological treatments and assessment methods to a variety of patient populations. Designs and implements effective treatment strategies. Incorporates new clinical procedures when appropriate. Responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center or healthcare system, as appropriate. Serves as a consultant to other medical center staff and trainees and assist in their formulation of the psychological characteristics and appropriate treatment expectations regarding their patients. Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Psychologist: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Psychology-Career-Flyer.pdf Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not available. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. 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: Ad-hoc available (emergencies only. Not reoccurring) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Staff Psychologist - SUD/PCT, #51987F(GS-11), 51988F (GS-12), and 51989F (GS-13)"]

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