Basic Requirements:
- Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States
- 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
- OR
- (2) 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 as part of the 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 the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed
- OR
- (3) Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature
- AND
- (4) 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;
- (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) Have 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) Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature, fulfilling 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: 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 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
- English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j
Grade Determination:
GS-14 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:
(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.
Licensure: Must currently possess a full, current, and unrestricted license at the doctoral level.
Preferred Experience: Ideal candidate will have the ability to partner with executive management to shape and implement strategic priorities, encourage continued development, and train staff to enhance employee involvement and overall organizational effectiveness. Incumbent can provide leadership and consultative expertise relating to organizational development and analysis.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14.
References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/103 PART II APPENDIX G18