Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
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. Strictly for the purpose of determining eligibility for appointment as a psychologist in VHA, there is no distinction between the specialty areas (with the exception of school psychology).
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
- (c) VHA facilities that offered full-time, one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre[1]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.)
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.
Grade Determinations:
Psychology Program Manager,
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.(b)
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
- Ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlines.
- Knowledge of and ability to utilize evidence based practices and clinical practice guidelines appropriately and ability to guide staff in using these tools.
- 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.
- Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations.
- Ability to establish and monitor production and performance priorities and standards.
- 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
Physical Requirements:
Work is primarily performed in an office setting located at the Dayton VA Medical Center. Work is mostly sedentary; however, there will be some periods of walking and up to 25% travel will be required for visits to the Veterans enrolled in the MHICM/CRC Programs that also includes potential visits to the 4 CBOCs and their catchment areas. Work requires reaching, lifting, turning, or moving hands, arms, feet, and legs to operate hand and foot controls. Must follow prescribed safety procedures using appropriate lifting methods and body mechanics for heavy lifting or moving of heavy objects. For the clinical portion of the work, the incumbent will be required to assist patients with a variety of medical/psychiatric conditions and/or disabilities. The
incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations, operative/invasive procedures, or home settings. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.
When traveling, the incumbent must be able to drive for a minimum of a four-hour period and stay mentally alert. If driver realizes they are not mentally alert they must use good judgment in pulling over at the first safe area, road-checking vehicle with walkaround inspection, and continue driving as soon as possible. Incumbent must pass a VA Physical and adhere to all VA and DOT drug and alcohol testing and guidelines.
A valid driver's license is required and for official travel, the incumbent must be open to operating a government vehicle when available. Instructions are received from the dispatcher or supervisor on the type of vehicle to be operated, destination, passengers to be transported, purpose of the trip, deadlines to be met, and any special information. The driver is responsible for the safe transport of passengers throughout the trip, including the safe loading and unloading of the patient on/off the vehicle. Driving proficiency is assessed in terms of safe and expeditious completion of the assigned job. Trip tickets are examined for compliance with regulations and for completeness.