Summary
Psychologist Program Managers have broad program management responsibilities for a specific program or programs that are designed to deliver specialized, complex, highly professional services that are important program components of the facility and that significantly impact the health care to Veterans.
Clarification from the agency
This announcement is open to US Citizens. If you are a (Current & Permanent) Federal Employee, please apply to our Internal Announcement: CAZM-12200909-24-JRH. This vacancy is also posted as a Social Worker (Program Coordinator): Internal:CAZM-12200911-24-JRH External:CAZM-12200912-24-JRH.
Duties
This announcement will be posted until filled. The first cutoff for consideration is 11/17/2023. Additional applications will be referred as needed.
Programs include but are not limited to Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), Addiction, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mental health intensive case management (MHICM), mental health compensation and pension examination (C&P) programs, Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Centers, inpatient mental health, residential rehabilitation, domiciliary, palliative care, neuropsychology, and internship and postdoctoral fellowship training programs; management of an off-campus site; psychology program oversight and coordination throughout the facility and its affiliated clinics as a psychology executive, typically at lower complexity facilities.
Decisions made by the Program Manager affect staff and other resources associated with the programs managed and are made while exercising wide latitude and independent judgement. The type of programs managed and scope of responsibility are critical aspects of the assignment at this level. Responsibilities include operation and management of key clinical, training, research, or administrative programs to include full responsibility for managing the day to day activities of those programs. Responsibility may include supervision of staff but is not required. Psychologist Program Managers are responsible for strategic planning to ensure the provision of high quality services to meet the needs of the Veterans being served and planning, and developing and implementing short- and long-term goals and objectives consistent with the program's strategic plan.
They have oversight of administrative and programmatic resources and deploy those resources in support of the program needs. They develop and implement programs, policies, and procedures to meet program goals, VHA policy and external accreditation requirements, and monitor outcomes using data-driven quality assurance processes, and implement strategies for improvement based on data analysis.
The Psychologist Program Manager (Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program):
- Exhibits leadership that is characterized by substantial and continuous responsibility and accountability for population groups served through BHIP that cross service and discipline lines and influence organizational mission and health care.
- Provides administrative, technical, and clinical supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of BHIP.
- Assists with performance measure monitoring, evaluation and action plans for program improvement/enhancement as well as accreditation reviews and pertinent site visits.
- Guides and oversees BHIP services, determining staffing requirements and assignments in conjunction with members of treatment teams and staff areas where individual's skills are best utilized. These duties include development of functional statements and performance standards with service personnel as well as function as the professional expert relative to BHIP practice issues.
- Assists with directing operation and management of all clinical, training, and administrative programs within BHIP.
- Provides oversight of administrative and programmatic resources for BHIP, delivering specialized, complex, and highly professional mental health services that are integrated within the primary care setting, are important to program components, and significantly impact the health care provided to Veterans.
- Works with all local medical center, health care center and community-based outpatient
- clinic leadership to meet site specific administrative and operational goals and may assume local leadership functions as necessary and as approved by Chief of Psychology.
Duties are continued in the Education Section of this announcement:
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4: 30 PM
Telework: Regular/Recurring Telework 6+ Days Per Pay Period
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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.
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- You may be required to serve a probationary period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
- 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 Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
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.
- Education:
- (1)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. 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. There are no job assignments in VHA that require the skills of a school psychologist; therefore, an applicant with a degree in the specialty area of school psychology is not eligible for appointment. OR
- (2)Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully complete a respecialization program (including documentation of an approved internship completed as part of the respecialization 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 the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. NOTE: The applicant must provide an official transcript and/or certificate documenting the completion of the re-specialization program, which includes completion of an APA or CPA internship. Psychologists who have successfully completed a re-specialization program as described above and who were employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs prior to the implementation of this standard are considered to have fully met the educational requirements of these qualification standards. OR
- (3) Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.AND
- Internships:
- (a) 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
- (b) 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
- (c) 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
- (d) 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
- (e) 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.
- NOTE: Psychologists who meet the requirements of this revision and who were employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs prior to the implementation of this standard are considered to have fully met the requirements of this qualification standard.
- 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.
- 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.
Preferred Experience:
- Experience organizing work, setting priorities, delegating tasks, and meeting multiple deadlines.
- Experience utilizing evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines.
- Experience supervising others in the use of evidence-based practice guidelines.
- Experience working effectively with individuals or groups representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view.
- Experience in managing and directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives.
- Experience in translating management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations.
- Experience establishing and monitoring production and performance priorities and standards.
- Experience in analyzing organizational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program.
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.
NOTE: To be equivalent to the GS-13 level, experience must be gained while having a full, unrestricted license to practice psychology in a U.S. State or territory.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(A) Ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlines.
(B) Knowledge of and ability to utilize evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines appropriately and ability to guide staff in using these tools.
(C) Ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view.
(D) Skill in managing and directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives.
(E) Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations.
(F) Ability to establish and monitor production and performance priorities and standards.
(G) Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program.
References: VA Handbook 5005/103 Part II Appendix G18 Psychologist Qualification Standard GS-0180 Veterans Health Administration February 7, 2018.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14.
Physical Requirements:
The are no set physical requirements for this position. Use of hands, feet, eyes, ears, walking, and standing may be needed to perform functions. Emotional, mental, and cognitive stability are required.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Accreditation Information: The doctoral degree must be fully accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) https://www.apa.org/, the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) https://www.pcsas.org/ , or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)https://cpa.ca/.
NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
NOTE: If your school was accredited by APA, PCSAS or CPA at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the APA, PCSAS or CPA website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.
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.
Duties Continued:
- Works with Chief of Psychology in identifying and prioritizing BHIP resource needs to include staffing and equipment needs of BHIP providers.
- Oversees funds assigned to Psychology Section control points (as delegated).
- Coordinates and monitors clinical training/development of staff who provide psychotherapy, mental health assessments, care management, and other psychosocial services within BHIP;
- Is responsible for assessing, verifying, monitoring, and reporting on the clinical competency of staff providing these services; and considers and recommends staff members for further clinical training and development based on staff abilities, goals, and clinic operational needs.
- Performs duties related to the area of research and research integration into clinical practice:
- Guides BHIP staff in application of current psychological research to their clinical work,
- Encourages utilization of evidence-psychotherapy protocols, and research activities deemed beneficial to VHA patient care of Veterans or to clinical and health care system operations.
- Is responsible and accountable for assisting the Chief of Psychology, the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health, the Chief of Staff, and the Director in planning, organizing, and coordinating all MHSL programs. The incumbent may be called on to act for other System-level Program Managers including serving as the Acting Chief of Psychology or Acting Chief of Staff for Mental Health.
- Performs the duties related to practice evaluation and management
- Is responsible for reviewing, analyzing, approving or disapproving all new program developments or roles changes within the BHIP service and presenting, interpreting, and implementing new policies and procedures or changes in the previous ones.
- Orients, teaches, and serves as a consultant to Primary Care and Medical Care staff and trainees and assist in their formulation of the psychological characteristics and appropriate treatment expectations regarding their patients.
- May have limited responsibilities for and oversight of the administrative and programmatic resources of various clinical programs within the VATVCBHCS.
- May assist in coordinating programming within the various mental health programs with psychology Program Managers as well as with discipline supervisors of affected staff assigned to these programs.
- May serve as the representative for Psychology Service on various Psychology Service, Mental Health Service Line, System, or VISN administrative committees or work groups.
- Provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services including the use of psychological testing for major and secondary psychological disorders for patients within VATVCBHCS in areas of specific interest/expertise.
- Performs psychological evaluations for individual with mental health and medical disorders for purposes of diagnostic clarification and treatment planning recommendations. These evaluations employ a comprehensive diagnostic interview, review of available records, collateral contract when available, as well as objective, and cognitive tests when indicated.
- Provides a range of psychological therapeutic interventions, with individuals with mental health and medical disorders with an emphasis on the application of time-limited, evidence-based treatments for common disorders.
- Consults with and serves as resource for other professional personnel concerning the needs for, evaluation of, and development of psychological services in VATVCBHCS.
- May be asked to assist in the selection, training, and supervision staff at lower grade within assigned program area, Psychology Section, or VATVCBHCS.
- May be asked to serve as a clinical supervisor for psychology pre-doctoral interns, and doctoral level graduate practicum students in psychology and other related disciplines.
- May be asked to prepare and teach seminars/workshops for VATVCBHCS trainees/staff on topics within interest/competency areas.
- May be asked to serve as a member of various VATVCBHCS Mental Health, VATVCBHCS, and/or VISN committees.
- May choose to conduct approved psychological research that supports the mission of VATVCBHCS alone in collaboration with other professional in VATVCBHCS or affiliated academic institutions.
- May choose to apply for a faculty appointment at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.
- Develops innovative and quality improvement strategies to enhance care delivery within the WTVAHCS.
- Provides direct clinical care (e.g., psychotherapy, evaluations) to Behavioral Health Veterans
Benefits
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Diploma/ GED
- Disability Letter (Schedule A)
- Disability Letter (VA)
- License
- OF-306
- Other (1)
- Other (2)
- Other (3)
- Other (4)
- Other (5)
- PCS Orders
- Performance Appraisal
- Professional Certification
- Proof of Enrollment
- Proof of Marriage Status
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Note: 38 U.S.C. 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans preference to external applicants for appointments made from this announcement.
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/30/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12200910.
- To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
- Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
Next steps
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
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