Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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
• Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3.g - this part.) 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
• 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
• (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) 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 (or will complete) as part of the re-specialization program) meeting both of the following conditions: Must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program - and - the specialty in which the applicant is retained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed
• (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) OR Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally accredited institution - with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature
• (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) AND Internships: 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
• 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 supervision of a psychologist who is licensed
• Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment
• (COPY OF LICENSE REQUIRED FOR GS-14) Board Certification: Persons hired to psychology positions in the VHA who completed an internship that was not accredited at the time the program was completed must be 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
• The board certificate must be current - and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirement for continuing education
• 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: GS-14 Psychology Program Manager Experience: At least three years of experience as a professional psychologist - with at least one year equivalent to the GS-13 grade level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1
• Ability to organize work - set priorities - delegate tasks - and meet multiple deadlines
• 2
• Knowledge of and ability to utilize evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines appropriately and ability to guide staff in using these tools
• 3
• Ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups representing widely divergent backgrounds - interests - and points of view
• 4
• Skill in managing and directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives
• 5
• Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations
• 6
• Ability to establish and monitor production and performance priorities and standards
• 7
• Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program
• Preferred Experience: 2 years of experience providing treatment to Veterans for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• 2 years of experience in a supervisory position
• Has certification in evidence-based treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• References: VA Handbook 5005/103 - Part II - Appendix G18 - February 7 - 2018
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14
• Physical Requirements: Light lifting and carrying (under 15 lbs.) - walking - operation of motor vehicle - hearing (aid may be permitted) - and mental and emotional stability
• Environmental factors include working closely with other.

Duties

• 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 Program Management Responsibilities: Leads a multidisciplinary team - which include psychologists - physicians - physician assistants - social workers - nurses - and other health care professionals and trainees
• Responsible for the development - implementation - and oversight of operational policies and procedures for the treatment team - with the approval of the affiliated Program Director and/or Service Line Leader
• Conducts ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects that monitor the effectiveness of clinical operations within their respective program(s)
• Monitors compliance of program managers with VA performance measures and effectively shapes provider practice patterns to improve standing on performance measures
• Provides clinical supervision - as appropriate - to assigned clinical staff regarding adherence to VA Puget Sound Health Care System medico-legal stands and policies - documentation of CPRS procedures - and the clinical management of difficult - complex - and dangerous patients
• Ensures optimal collaboration across program teams - to include effective communication - resource sharing - permeability - and transfer of patients across a continuum of services
• Coordinates closely with the assigned administrative partner to ensure section administrative support - human resource - strategic planning - space and budget needs are met
• Clinical Responsibilities: Independently provides psychological assessment and diagnostic services for Veterans with a broad range of psychopathology receiving care within the clinic setting
• Demonstrates expertise in using and teaching others about contemporary interview and psychometric assessment methods for these disorders
• Provides consultation to health care providers about assessment findings and treatment plan for patients to ensure that care is coordinated - collaborative - and integrated within the Medical Center
• Develops - implements - and documents the mental health treatment plan for an assigned caseload of patients
• Supervisory Responsibilities: The psychologist has direct or indirect (through subordinate supervision) administrative and professional supervision of subordinates
• Provides administrative oversight and clinical consultation to staff in the following disciplines: Physician Assistant - Recreation Therapy - Psychiatry and Nursing
• Initiates performance awards for outstanding employees and completes administrative paperwork with both accuracy and timeliness
• Education and Training: Provides clinical supervision and instruction for psychology trainees assigned to the primary work setting
• Serves on a Psychology Service committee concerned with oversight of the training program
• Holds a faculty appointment at the University of Washington or other affiliated university that requires accomplishments in clinical supervision - training - and education
• Provides clinical supervision and/or training for medical residents - medical students - social work interns - or other trainees not enrolled in a psychology training program
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more 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: Not Authorized
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized