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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. 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.
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Duties
Clinical Responsibilities: The HBPC Psychologist functions as the primary mental health provider of the HBPC team, providing mental health prevention, assessment, treatment, management, and professional consultation services. This individual may also provide coverage in other geriatric or behavioral health care settings, but at least 0.5 FTE must be dedicated to HBPC. Specific duties include:
1. Providing screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of all major and secondary psychological and psychiatric disorders (i.e., Axis I and II disorders) with an emphasis on the application of time-limited, evidence-based treatments for common disorders, such as depressive, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and other disorders/conditions associated with chronic illness and/or end-of-life.
2. Assessing and providing treatments for subclinical symptoms of dysphoria and anxiety, adjustment difficulties, such as grief and bereavement, and excessive use or misuse of alcohol or other non-prescribed drugs (for which the patient may have a lower than normal tolerance due to their medical conditions and the potential for negative interactions with prescribed medication).
3. Providing psychological prevention services to patients at significant risk for psychological problems.
4. Providing services to the families of Veterans with dementia and other complicated medical/psychiatric conditions being served by HBPC, when such care is directly related to the overall treatment plan for the Veteran, will allow better care for the Veteran and allow the family to sustain the Veteran in the home environment. For example, family members may be trained to better manage behavioral problems associated with dementia; such training may allow the HBPC team to reduce the use of psychoactive medication as a means of controlling behavioral problems.
5. Providing clinical services through the use of telemental health/telehome technology.
6. Providing screening for cognitive deficits to address specific functional questions or to determine if a referral for a complete neuropsychological evaluation or dementia assessment is needed.
7. Performing capacity/competency assessments when there are questions about a patient's ability to make medical decisions, perform other specific functions, or live independently.
8. Assessing Veteran's understanding of advanced directives and other forms of informed consent and assisting staff in determining how to present treatment options and other such material to patients in a format they can comprehend, understand and make judgments based on the information.
9. Providing individual and group interventions to support patients that are coping with feelings of grief and loss associated with chronic or acute illness, disability and other life transitions.
10. Providing psychoeducational and supportive interventions, in conjunction with the Veteran, for spouses, family members/caregivers, and others that are crucial to managing the Veteran at home.
11. Providing effective interventions with couples or families, when appropriate, to address relationship difficulties, provide support to caregivers of Veterans with dementia or other significant illness/frailty, and/or promote collaboration with the HBPC team for the benefit of the Veteran. At all times, the necessity for and benefit of the intervention for the Veteran should be documented and included as part of the Veteran's treatment plan.
12. Facilitating transition and adjustment to new living situations (e.g., nursing home, assisted living facility, return home from hospital/nursing home), and providing seamless intervention services, as appropriate.
13. Providing behavioral medicine interventions to manage pain, disability, sleep problems and substance use; also to facilitate weight loss, promote smoking/tobacco cessation, and enhance medical compliance.
14. Promoting communication/interactions among medical team members, patients, and their families to facilitate the medical/psychological treatment process.
15. Providing clinical supervision to students, Interns, fellow, and residents.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
Qualifications
Grade Determinations:
GS-13 Staff Psychologist (Full Performance Level): Experience. 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:
1. Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations.
2. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health.
3. Knowledge of clinical research literature.
*Experience is only creditable if it is post-doctoral degree experience as a professional psychologist directly related to the duties performed. Post-Doctoral Degree Fellowships. Postdoctoral fellowships or residencies are training programs in an advanced area of clinical practice. Training as a fellow or resident is considered to be creditable experience on a year-for-year basis.
References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G18 Psychologist Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.
Physical Requirements: Light Lifting/Carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; Operation of a motor vehicle; have sight and depth perception; mental and emotional stability.
Work Schedule: 08:00 AM - 04:30 PM
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Functional Statement: 581-23240-F
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Failure to provide transcript may result in non-referral of your application if your education cannot be verified.
The doctoral degree must be fully accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) https://accreditation.apa.org/accredited-programs, the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) https://www.pcsas.org/, or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) https://cpa.ca/accreditation/cpaaccreditedprograms/ at the time the program was completed.
NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work expe...
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. 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.
This job is open to
- The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Videos
Duties
Clinical Responsibilities: The HBPC Psychologist functions as the primary mental health provider of the HBPC team, providing mental health prevention, assessment, treatment, management, and professional consultation services. This individual may also provide coverage in other geriatric or behavioral health care settings, but at least 0.5 FTE must be dedicated to HBPC. Specific duties include:
1. Providing screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of all major and secondary psychological and psychiatric disorders (i.e., Axis I and II disorders) with an emphasis on the application of time-limited, evidence-based treatments for common disorders, such as depressive, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and other disorders/conditions associated with chronic illness and/or end-of-life.
2. Assessing and providing treatments for subclinical symptoms of dysphoria and anxiety, adjustment difficulties, such as grief and bereavement, and excessive use or misuse of alcohol or other non-prescribed drugs (for which the patient may have a lower than normal tolerance due to their medical conditions and the potential for negative interactions with prescribed medication).
3. Providing psychological prevention services to patients at significant risk for psychological problems.
4. Providing services to the families of Veterans with dementia and other complicated medical/psychiatric conditions being served by HBPC, when such care is directly related to the overall treatment plan for the Veteran, will allow better care for the Veteran and allow the family to sustain the Veteran in the home environment. For example, family members may be trained to better manage behavioral problems associated with dementia; such training may allow the HBPC team to reduce the use of psychoactive medication as a means of controlling behavioral problems.
5. Providing clinical services through the use of telemental health/telehome technology.
6. Providing screening for cognitive deficits to address specific functional questions or to determine if a referral for a complete neuropsychological evaluation or dementia assessment is needed.
7. Performing capacity/competency assessments when there are questions about a patient's ability to make medical decisions, perform other specific functions, or live independently.
8. Assessing Veteran's understanding of advanced directives and other forms of informed consent and assisting staff in determining how to present treatment options and other such material to patients in a format they can comprehend, understand and make judgments based on the information.
9. Providing individual and group interventions to support patients that are coping with feelings of grief and loss associated with chronic or acute illness, disability and other life transitions.
10. Providing psychoeducational and supportive interventions, in conjunction with the Veteran, for spouses, family members/caregivers, and others that are crucial to managing the Veteran at home.
11. Providing effective interventions with couples or families, when appropriate, to address relationship difficulties, provide support to caregivers of Veterans with dementia or other significant illness/frailty, and/or promote collaboration with the HBPC team for the benefit of the Veteran. At all times, the necessity for and benefit of the intervention for the Veteran should be documented and included as part of the Veteran's treatment plan.
12. Facilitating transition and adjustment to new living situations (e.g., nursing home, assisted living facility, return home from hospital/nursing home), and providing seamless intervention services, as appropriate.
13. Providing behavioral medicine interventions to manage pain, disability, sleep problems and substance use; also to facilitate weight loss, promote smoking/tobacco cessation, and enhance medical compliance.
14. Promoting communication/interactions among medical team members, patients, and their families to facilitate the medical/psychological treatment process.
15. Providing clinical supervision to students, Interns, fellow, and residents.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- If selected a complete and current 10-2850C Application for Associated Health Occupations will be required
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examinationwhich will include lab draws.
- Designated and/or random drug testing may be required-Federal jobs are covered under Drug Free workplace pursuant to Executive Order 12564; Reasonable suspicion testing is authorized in non-drug testing designated positions; All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
- You may be required to serve a probationary period
- Subject to background/security investigation
- Resume/CV required Resume: Your resume should include the following information for each job that you list: Job title; Complete Workplace Addresses; Duties (be as detailed as possible); Month and year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008); Full-time, part-time status (include hours worked per week).
- Participation in the seasonal influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination programs are requirements for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation is a condition of employment - See "Additional Information" below for details.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
- If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration of Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information
Qualifications
- United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
- English Language Proficiency Requirement - Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.
- Education Requirement - You 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 applicant is to be employed. OR, have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully completed a re-specialization program meeting both of the following conditions: a) the re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and b) the specialty in which you were retrained is consistent with the assignment you are am applying for; OR, have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.
- Internship Requirement - You 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. (NOTE: Once board certified, the employee is required to maintain board certification). NOTE: 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: Candidates 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.
- Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Grade Determinations:
GS-13 Staff Psychologist (Full Performance Level): Experience. 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:
1. Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations.
2. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health.
3. Knowledge of clinical research literature.
*Experience is only creditable if it is post-doctoral degree experience as a professional psychologist directly related to the duties performed. Post-Doctoral Degree Fellowships. Postdoctoral fellowships or residencies are training programs in an advanced area of clinical practice. Training as a fellow or resident is considered to be creditable experience on a year-for-year basis.
References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G18 Psychologist Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.
Physical Requirements: Light Lifting/Carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; Operation of a motor vehicle; have sight and depth perception; mental and emotional stability.
Work Schedule: 08:00 AM - 04:30 PM
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Functional Statement: 581-23240-F
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Failure to provide transcript may result in non-referral of your application if your education cannot be verified.
The doctoral degree must be fully accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) https://accreditation.apa.org/accredited-programs, the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) https://www.pcsas.org/, or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) https://cpa.ca/accreditation/cpaaccreditedprograms/ at the time the program was completed.
NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work expe...
