Psychologist (Program Manager - Workplace Violence Prevention Programs)

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. 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

• Federal employees - Competitive service
  Current or former competitive service federal employees.
• Federal employees - Excepted service
  Current excepted service federal employees.
• Internal to an agency
  Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency
The area of consideration will be current permanent facility employees, VA employees and other federal agency employees. Veteran's Preference does not apply to internal federal employee vacancies.
This job is also open in another announcement to:

• The public

This job is also open in another announcement to:

• The public

Videos
Duties
The Psychologist (Program Manager - Workplace Violence Prevention Programs) is responsible for the administrative and clinical aspects of the Workplace Violence Prevention Program at the VAPSHCS, including the Disruptive Behavior Committee (DBC), Employee Threat Assessment Team (ETAT), Disruptive Behavior Reporting System (DBRS), and the Workplace Behavioral Risk Assessment (WBRA). Additionally, the WVPP Program Manager works closely with the Center for Education and Development to ensure the Prevention and Management of Disruptive Behavior (PMDB) program is implemented as outlined in the national directive.
Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties:

• Maintains a cohesive team of staff from a variety of disciplines and supervisory chains of authority to ensure targeted and evidence-based efforts to promote the safety of beneficiaries and personnel of the VAPSHCS. The incumbent provides administrative oversight and clinical consultation to more than 25 over interdisciplinary team members for whom the incumbent is not the designated first line rating authority. The incumbent collaborates effectively with the facility's Executive Leadership Team, VA Police, the VA Office of Inspector General, the national WVPP Office, and other key stakeholders on an ongoing basis.
• Coordinates and chairs the inter/multidisciplinary Behavioral Threat Assessment Teams including the e DBC and the ETAT. The incumbent cochairs the Workplace Violence Prevention Committee (WVPC) and serves on multiple facility national level committees. The WVPP Program Manager demonstrates experience in leading diverse and interdisciplinary teams.
• Maintains proficiency in current evidence-based behavioral threat assessment and management practice and overseeing the day-to-day business of the inter/multidisciplinary committee that reviews incidents of Patient-Generated Disruptive Behaviors and Visitor Generated Disruptive Behaviors. This role involves staying abreast of the latest evidence-based risk assessment and management literature and tools; conducting and delegating clinical threat/risk assessments to determine recommendations for risk mitigation strategies to use in consultation with VA providers, clinical staff, and DBC members; informing and providing risk relevant clinical interventions in cases of disruptive or violent behavior history; providing and overseeing education to staff; providing timely and accurate responses to action items and recommendations made by the DBC; and ensuring ongoing training of team members in evidence-based threat assessment and threat management practice. The DBC Chair provides biannual updates to the Clinical Executive Board and collaborates closely with the Chief of Staff and Deputy Director.
• Serves as a Facility Administrator for the Disruptive Behavior Reporting System (DBRS). The DBRS is a secure and facility managed web-based data collection site of disruptive behavior events occurring at VHA facilities. The WVPP Program Manager is responsible for collecting, quickly communicating, and managing disruptive event information at all VAPSHCS locations. Additionally, the WVPP Program Manager is responsible for responding to FOIA and Congressional requests and inquiries directed to the DBC, ETAT, PMDB program and/or the WVPP. The incumbent also takes a lead role in the annual submission of the annual WBRA which provides data for each fiscal year to the National WVPP Office.
• Maintains a primary responsibility for the development and implementation of all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) within the Workplace Violence Prevention Programs. The incumbent works effectively with several different services and programs (i.e. Medicine, Mental Health, Nursing, SW, Safety Office, Executive Leadership, Regional council, Pharmacy, and others) to develop specific procedures designed to promote the safety of the VAPSHCS. The WVPP Program Manager has oversight and administrative authority over all programming and participates in program development, implementation, and evaluation. Additionally, the WVPP Program Manager works closely with leadership to develop strategic plans for the growth and development of the program. The incumbent ensures that the VAPSHCS is in full compliance with all VHA directives and other regulations. The WVPP Program Manager is responsible for reporting required data to VHA and other monitoring entities and for ensuring internal and external surveys and reviews result in a fully successful review.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 0800 - 1630, Seattle Division
Telework: Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Please contact the EDRP Coordinator @ V20CompensationTeam@va.gov.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• 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 a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

Qualifications
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.
• 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).
• 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.

Experience: In additional to meeting the basic requirements as stated above, you must have the following:
GS-14 Level: Candidate must have at least three years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-13 grade level and are able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

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.

*Experience is only creditable if it is post-doctoral degree experience as a professional psychologist directly related to the duties performed.
Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G18 Psychologist Qualification Standard.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14.
Physical Requirements: Light lifting/carrying; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, both hands required; walking/standing (.5 hours/day) Near and far vision correctable; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); mental and emotional stability. Ability to work closely with others and working alone.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
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 experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.