U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs · 3 months ago
Staff Psychologist - Assessment and Blind Rehabilitation - EDRP Approved
Waco, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$127K/yr - $165K/yr
2+ years expThe U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Staff Psychologist specializing in assessment and blind rehabilitation. The role involves providing a full range of psychodiagnostic services, conducting mental health evaluations, and offering group therapy to veterans, while also contributing to treatment planning and clinical supervision of interns.
GovernmentMedicalNational SecurityPublic Safety
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Provides a full range of psychodiagnostic services including the use of psychological testing for Veterans and VA police officers
Performs presurgical evaluations for individuals with mental health and medical disorders for purposes of diagnostic clarification and mental health clearance for relevant medical procedures
These evaluations employ a clinical interview, mental status examination, review of available records, collateral contact when available, as well as objective psychological tests when indicated
Performs mental health evaluations for VA police applicant suitability as well as fitness for duty
Performs compensation and pension examinations for Veterans with potential mental health related conditions claimed to be caused by, or to have originated during military service
These evaluations also involve clinical interview, mental status examination, review of available records and collateral information provided by Veterans Benefits Administration, as well as the use of objective psychological assessment instruments when indicated
Approximately one day per week, will provide group therapy to individuals in the Blind Rehabilitation Unit providing both psychoeducational, intervention, and supportive treatment
Assistance may also be provided via individual therapy for Veterans requiring individual contact who may be identified as in crisis
Admission reviews for potential incoming Veterans will also be performed as needed
May be asked to serve as a clinical supervisor for psychology pre-doctoral interns and doctoral-level practicum students in psychology and other disciplines
Performs capacity/competency assessments where there are questions about a patient's ability to make medical decisions, perform other specific functions, or live independently
Contributes to the gathering of assessment information and the development of a detailed treatment plan for veterans
Conducts evidence-based treatment interventions for Veterans with cognitive impairment
Participates as a member of medical center hospital committees as directed
Serves as an advisor, consultant and/or resource person to the staff within the medical center
Maintains appropriate records and follow-up data on patients who are their responsibility
Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients
Complies with all CPRS documentation procedures, including timeliness standards for documentation and proper patient check out procedures (e.g., entering diagnostic and procedure codes)
Attends and participates in administrative and informational meetings as held by CTVHCS and MH&BM management
Attends regular Psychology Service staff meetings, Medical Staff meetings, MH&BM staff meetings and complies with Psychology Service peer review procedures
Provides clinical supervision to psychology interns, practicum students, fellows, and residents as assigned
Qualification
Required
United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
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
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 & 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 & 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 Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology & 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: Re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program & 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 &/or certificate documenting completion of re-specialization program - which includes completion of an APA or CPA internship
Psychologists who have successfully completed a re-specialization program as described above & who were employed by the Department of VA prior to implementation of this standard are considered to have fully met the educational requirements of these qualification standards
OR Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 & 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution - with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature
AND Internships 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 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 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 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 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
Licensure: Hold a full - current & unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State - Territory or Commonwealth of the United States or 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 under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 (c)(2)(B) for a period not to exceed two years from 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
Loss of Credential: A psychologist who fails to maintain the required licensure must be removed from the occupation - which may result in termination of employment
Board Certification and Loss of Credential Board Certification: Persons hired to psychology positions in VHA who completed an internship that was not accredited at the time the program was completed must be 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
Board certificate must be current & applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirement for continuing education
Loss of Credential: Once board certified - psychologist must maintain a full - valid & unrestricted board certification to remain qualified for employment
A psychologist who fails to maintain the required board certification must be removed from the occupation - which may result in termination of employment
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive & Handbook 5019
English Language Proficiency: Psychologists must be proficient in spoken & written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3j
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation & meet the criteria)
Grade Determinations: GS-13 Experience: At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist - with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level
Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of 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
Preferred
Experience interacting with referral sources using both verbal and written communication
Experience assessing and treating Veterans with complex medical and psychological etiologies
Experience with providing direct supervision/training of psychology trainees
Full / Unrestricted License for the Practice of Psychology from a State (U.S.) Licensing board
Benefits
Competitive salary and regular salary increases
37-50 days of annual paid time off per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Company
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