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. 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.

Duties

The SUD Chief applies advanced professional psychological diagnostic methods and evidenced-based intervention strategies to a full range of patient problems in his/her work setting. He/she has advanced knowledge of psychological diagnosis, intervention, and behavioral health that qualifies him/her to provide advice and consultation to SUD professionals representing a variety of disciplines. Duties will include: The incumbent must possess the ability to provide quality evidence based patient care and supervision of all SUD services to include the provision of direct psychological patient care, consultation services on difficult or complex cases, and education of staff. Planning and directing the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Program coverage and assigning staff according to program needs and individual staff capability. SUD Chief ensures Evidence Based Therapy and Measurement Based Care are fully implemented and utilized. Ensures that essential clinical functions are coordinated and provided. Supervising and evaluating the work of the employees assigned to the SUD Section. This includes completion of annual performance evaluations, recommendations for awards, approving leave usage, and taking disciplinary action when indicated. In concert with VA policies/procedures and the Uniform Mental Health Handbook, the SUD Chief will work with other Mental Health staff to develop policy and procedures for the daily functioning within the clinic and the MHRRTP. Providing administrative input into the development and planning of the service as a whole, keeping the ACOS-MH appraised of changes/needs. Actively implements LEAN principles, supports quality improvement projects and promotes a culture of continuous quality improvement. Incumbent is also responsible for program development and monitoring performance metrics to ensure care provided is effective. Maintaining records, statistics, audits, quality assurance, and narrative reports as assigned. The incumbent is responsible for overseeing the accuracy of information provided by staff. Assuming committee and special assignments necessary for the operation of SUD. Providing clinical consultation and direction for the non-routine, non-typical case or problem situation. Maintaining positive working relationships with other units in the Service and throughout the Alaska VA Healthcare System (AVAHS). Holding regular administrative in-service meetings with assigned staff. Developing and maintaining good working relationships with key community agencies and resource persons. The SUD Chief's responsibilities involve meaningful contact with the AVAHS professional and support personnel from different disciplines on behalf of patients. Incumbent is engaged in evaluating the needs of patients and families and problem solving in regard to a broad range of physical, social, and economic needs. The SUD Chief is available to consult with staff on the more complex situations related to substances abuse and dually diagnosed patients. Making recommendations for professional development of assigned staff. Participates in recruiting qualified Psychologists, and other professional staff as required. This may include but is not limited to: psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and nurse practitioners, or nursing staff. Participates in interviewing, selection, orientation of selected or assigned staff. Develops position descriptions or functional statements, performance standards and competency assessments for all assigned staff. Completes performance appraisals. Monitors productivity standards and data of assigned staff. Re-deploys or recommends use of staff based on patient need, productivity, and workload. Provides education and consultation to VA staff, Veterans and their families, and staff of non-VA organizations regarding practice standards, the range of service provided by S&BHS staff, and professional roles and responsibilities (example, reporting abuse and neglect). Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00AM - 4:30PM Telework: Yes, Ad-Hoc. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Please contact the VISN 20 EDRP Coordinator @ [email protected] Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. 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 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: (1) The re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and, (2) The 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 and/or certificate documenting the completion of the re-specialization program, which includes completion of an APA or CPA internship OR Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature. Internship. 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 ORVHA 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, 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. Provide copy of licensure. English Language Proficiency. Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: GS-14 Psychologist (Program Manager) 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: 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. 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. Preferred Experience: At least one year experience in a leadership role, and one year experience working in Substance Use Disorder. References: VHA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G18, Qualifications for Psychologists. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. Physical Requirements: light lifting (under 15 lbs), near and far vision correctable, both eyes required, emotional/mental stability, dry atmospheric conditions, working closely with others, working alone, ability to use computer and mouse.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript with confer date must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

[Transcripts must be submitted at time of application. Conferral of degree(s) must be stated on transcript(s). Unofficial transcripts(s) are acceptable].

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Anchorage VA Medical Center 1201 North Muldoon Road Anchorage, AK 99504 US
• Name: Michelle Yahne
• Phone: 503-220-8262 X53055
• Email: [email protected]