Duties
This position is in the Mental Health Care Line. The psychologist for the Northport VAMC provides outpatient assessment and triage as well as individual, group, and family psychotherapy for acute and chronic mental health problems as an integrated member of the care teams. The psychologist applies advanced professional psychological diagnostic methods and evidence-based psychotherapy strategies to a full range of patient problems in their work setting. The incumbent has advanced knowledge of psychological diagnosis, intervention, and behavioral health that qualifies them to provide advice and consultation to professionals representing a variety of disciplines. In addition to assigned clinical activities, the psychologist may: participate with managers in program development activities; participate in supervision and instruction of Psychology trainees; engage in clinical research; and, participate in facility, network or national VA committees, with the support of managers for these professional activities. Primary duties will be split between the outpatient mental health clinic and residential treatment program for people with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Clinical Responsibilities:
- Provides a full range of psychological assessment services and diagnoses mental disorders, particularly for complex or unusually difficult patients, including selection, administration, and interpretation of psychological assessment instruments in accord with presenting clinical concerns.
- Provides education to patients, family members, and significant others.
- Provides comprehensive, evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, including individual, family, and group psychotherapy.
- Provides consultation and education as requested to allied health providers.
- Provides program evaluation and development consultation as requested to Behavioral Health managers.
- Provides video care to ensure COVID 19 Safety protocols that VA Safety Guidelines Instruct.
Administrative responsibilities:
- Serves on Medical Center or Healthcare System, VISN, and/or National VA committees or task forces, as endorsed by supervisors.
- Participates in Psychology privileging, educational and peer review activities, in accord with Psychology and medical center policies.
- Participates as a non-voting member of the medical staff, in accord with medical staff by-laws.
- Participates in support of Mental Health and Psychology administrative and performance improvement activities, e.g., by taking on assigned projects and serving on committees.
- Completes required clinical and administrative documentation in a timely manner and in accord with governing regulations.
- If involved in supervision of Psychology trainees, participates in and supports administrative management of the Psychology Training Program.
Teaching and Training:
- May supervise psychology predoctoral interns, practicum students, and/or post-doctoral fellows in accordance with training program policies and accrediting agency requirements.
- Provides staff and student didactic training and consultation as requested in content areas of scholarly and/or clinical expertise.
- May supervise or train allied health providers in accord with facility and regulatory standards regarding such training.
- Participates fully in educational development through staff and section meetings.
- Assumes responsibility for professional development by attending relevant training and regularly reviewing the literature to improve clinical competencies.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Research:
- May participate in clinical or basic science research with endorsement of managers.
Miscellaneous
- Performs other duties as assigned
Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday- Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
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.
- 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.
- Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
- 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
GS-13 (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.
AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
- Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations.
- Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health.
- Knowledge of clinical research literature.
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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
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.
How You Will Be Evaluated
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.
How to Apply
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 6/20/2023.
- 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.