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. Program 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
Clarification from the agency
This is an INTERNAL job announcement open to current, permanent Department of VA employees, current or former VA Health Professional Trainees, HPTs and other current, permanent federal employees.
The public MUST apply to EXTERNAL job announcement number CBSU-12700435-25-JMW.
Duties
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Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf
Psychologist Suicide Prevention Coordinator full performance level dutiesinclude, but are not limited to the following:
Coordinates & monitors services for Veterans designated as "High Risk for Suicide" & acts as transitional care coordinator for patients throughout most acute risk period
Assesses the psychosocial, environmental needs, barriers to recovery, or exacerbated psychiatric problems which might contribute to suicide risks
Provides full range of patient care interventions, including individual, family, and group therapy & specialized interventions such as behavior management consultations and systems or environmental interventions
Presents informed reports/educates multi-disciplinary teams on latest evidence based intervention techniques
Has detailed knowledge of Substance Abuse problems, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Polytrauma & Chronic Pain Syndromes since they often exist/co-exist in patients at risk for suicide
Develops program operation policies & procedures & prepares reports & statistics for facility, VISN, & national
Assesses psychosocial, environmental needs, barriers to recovery, or exacerbated psychiatric problems which might contribute to the risk of suicide
Coordinates/monitor services & acts as transitional care coordinator for patients during most acute risk time periods
Manages High-Risk Flags & ensure all local & national standards & best practices are met by all Program services & providers
Assesses psychosocial, environmental needs, barriers to recovery or exacerbated psychiatric problems
Establishes/maintains supportive relationships w/ Veteran, family &/or significant others & works w/ treatment
Formulates treatment goals & develops structured continuum of care for assigned cases
Reviews &/or participates in research; promotes, initiates, assists or engages in program evaluation &/or other basic & applied research activities
Advanced clinical skills in Suicide Risk Assessment & Interventions
Has significant research knowledge of Suicidology pertaining to demographics, risk factors & protective factors
Has detailed knowledge of Substance Abuse problems, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Poly trauma & Chronic Pain Syndromes since they often exist/co-exist in patients at risk for suicide
Uses skills relating w/ interdisciplinary team members & therapist experience working w/ patients & family members
Works w/ local agencies/community resources to coordinate long-term objectives
Is familiar w/ clinical & administrative principles related to VA Systems
Performs basic data entry and retrieval
Complies w/ all documentation procedures, including timeliness standards according to policies
Performs complex Care Management and Consultation Responsibilities
May provide training to staff through didactic presentations including psychology, social work, psychiatry & other disciplines
Assures compliance w/ Joint Commission standards
Complies w/ national & local performance measures
Participates in educational activities, completes unit based in-services, & mandatory educational activities
Demonstrates positive, effective communication skills & professional behavior that promote cooperation & teamwork
Practices good customer service & demonstrates VA I-CARE values
Participates in unit-based quality of care performance improvement activities, unit based performance improvement measures & results
Perform other duties as assigned
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm
Compressed/Flexible:Available
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Pay: Competitive salary & regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection w/ birth, adoption, or foster care placement of child
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees w/ total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to monthly maximum of $416.66
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K w/ up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: PD54185A, 54184A, 54183A and PD53864A
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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.
- 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
Applicants pending completion of educational/certification/licensure requirements may be referred & tentatively selected but can't be hired until all requirements are met
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Citizenship Must be a US citizen. Non-citizens may be appointed when it's not possible to recruit qualified US citizens
English Language Proficiency Psychologists must be proficient in spoken & written English
Education Have doctoral degree in psychology from graduate program in psychology accredited by American Psychological Association, APA Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System, PCSAS, or Canadian Psychological Association, CPA when program was completed. Specialty in which applicant is retrained must be consistent w/ applicant's assigned employment area Term "specialty area" refers to specific specialty areas recognized by accrediting body & not to specific job duties that might require special skills. Currently, APA accredits doctoral programs in specialty areas of clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology, or combinations of 2 or more areas PCSAS accredits doctoral programs in psychological clinical science CPA accredits doctoral programs in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, clinical neuropsychology, & school psychology. There aren't any job assignments in VHA that require school psychologist skills; applicants w/ school psychology degrees aren't eligible for appointments. Strictly for purpose of determining eligibility for appointment as psychologist in VHA, there isn't distinction between specialty areas, w/ school psychology exception
OR
Have doctoral degree in any area of psychology & successfully complete re-specialization program (including documentation of approved internship completed as part of re-specialization program), meeting both following conditions: re-specialization program must be completed in APA or CPA accredited doctoral program; & specialty in which applicant is retrained must be consistent w/ applicant's assigned employment area
OR
Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 & 1978 from a regionally accredited institution, w/ a dissertation primarily psychological in nature
AND
Internships
Have successfully completed professional psychology internship training program accredited by APA or CPA at time program was completed & specialty in which applicant is retrained must be consistent w/ applicant's assigned employment area
OR
New VHA psychology internship programs in process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable to fulfill internship requirements, provided such programs were sanctioned by VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology & VHA Office of Academic Affiliations when individual was intern
OR
VHA facilities that offered full-time, one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151, pre-1979 are considered acceptable to fulfill internship requirement
OR
Applicants who completed internship that wasn't accredited by APA or CPA when program was completed can only be considered eligible for hire if they are currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area consistent w/ applicant's assigned employment area
NOTE Employee is required to maintain board certification once board certified
OR
Applicants who have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 & 1978 from regionally accredited institution w/ a dissertation primarily psychological in nature may fulfill internship requirement by having equivalent of 1 year supervised internship experience at site specifically acceptable to candidate's doctoral program If internship experience is not noted on applicant's official transcript, applicant must provide a statement from doctoral program verifying equivalent of 1 year supervised internship experience was completed in site acceptable to doctoral program
NOTE Psychologists who meet revision requirements & who were employed by Department of Veterans Affairs prior to implementation of this standard are considered to have fully met qualification standard requirements
Licensure Hold a full, current & unrestricted license to practice psychology at doctoral level in State, Territory or Commonwealth of U. S. or District of Columbia
Exception Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet 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 2 years from employment date on condition psychologist provides care only under supervision of psychologist who is licensed Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination temporary appointment
Loss of Credential Psychologists who fail to maintain required licensure must be removed from occupation, which may result in employment termination Employees may be reassigned to another occupation if qualified & if opportunity placement exists at appointing officials discretion
Board Certification Persons hired to psychology positions in VHA who completed an internship not accredited at time program was completed must be board certified by American Board of Professional Psychology in specialty area consistent w/ applicant's assigned employment area Board certificate must be current & applicant must abide by certifying body's requirement for continuing education
Loss of Credential Once board certified, psychologist must maintain a full, valid & unrestricted board certification to remain employment qualified Psychologists who fail to maintain required board certification must be removed from occupation, which may result in termination of employment Employees may be reassigned to another occupation if qualified & if opportunity placement exists at appointing officials discretion
Grandfathering Provision All persons employed in VHA as psychologists on qualification standard effective date are considered to have met all qualification requirements for title, series & grade held, including positive education, i.e. degree & internship requirements & licensure/certification that are part of occupation basic requirements 1) Employees grandfathered under provision for this revision may be reassigned, promoted up to & including full performance, journey level, or changed to lower grade w/in occupation, but can't be promoted beyond journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions or beyond assignment currently held for those being grandfathered to assignments above FP L2) Psychologists appointed on temporary basis prior to effective date of qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet basic requirements of standard 3) Psychologists initially grandfathered in this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education &/or licensure & meet all basic qualification standard requirements must maintain required credentials as a condition of employment in occupation
NOTE If psychologists who are grandfathered under this provision leave occupation, employee loses protected status & must meet full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at time of reentry to occupation
Grade Determination requirements Candidates must met the following grade determination requirements plus basic requirements
GS-11 Experience None beyond basic requirements
GS-12 Qualification requirements
Experience At least 1 year professional psychologist experience equivalent to GS-11 grade Unlicensed Psychologists must practice under supervision of licensed psychologist but w/ less intense supervision than at GS-11 grade level
AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills & Abilities KSAs Candidates must demonstrate following KSAs plus experience
1) Knowledge of & ability to apply wide range of professional psychological treatments/assessment methods to various patient populations
2) Ability to design/implement effective treatment strategies
Qualifications continued in Additional Information section
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Transcripts can be unofficial transcripts, but must include your name, the school's entire name, the name of the course, date course taken, grade received for the course, amount of credits earned for the course, date degree conferred, and name of degree received.
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.
Please be clear and specific in describing your experience, or any information in your resume or any attachments you provide. We will not make assumptions regarding any information provided regarding your experience on your resume or any information contained in your application materials. Your application, résumé, 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.
Required Documents
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please 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
- Disability Letter (VA)
- Copy of 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. (If applicable, required to be uploaded)
- Copy of internship. (Required to be uploaded if you completed one)
- Copy of board certification 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. (Required to be uploaded, if applicable, please see qualification standards section for requirements)
- Resume
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
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.
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 Eastern Standard Time on 03/03/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12700434.
- 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.