This psychologist responsible for provision of direct services and care coordination for Veterans who identify as LGBTQ+ and their families and who require special care due to their status. The LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator helps to ensure that culturally competent LGBTQ+ clinical services are provided at local facilities consistent with Veterans Health Administration (VHA) policies and priorities.

Duties

Duties to include but not limited to: Assesses the needs of LGBTQ+ Veterans through strategic planning to include assisting in planning, organizing, and coordinating facility services and programs to meet those needs. Provides a brief model of clinical and consultative care for LGBTQ+ Veterans in coordination with various clinics in MHSL of the Atlanta VA HCS Engages in ongoing education in order to effectively navigate emotionally challenging and cognitively complex aspects of coordinating culturally sensitive care, with the goal of disseminating this information to staff to ensure Atlanta VA HCS is providing cutting edge and culturally appropriate care. Provides up-to-date and cutting edge training and consultation to staff (clinical and non-clinical) to increase cultural and clinical competence. Collaborates with MHSL, SWSL, and Executive Leadership Team (ELT) to set HCS priorities related to LGBTQ+ Veteran care. Works in coordination with departments to ensure inclusion of patients' LGBTQ+ stats into overall patient care plans. Monitors implementation of VHA directives and national policies as well as guidance provided by the LGBTQ Program (10P4Y) Maintains subject matter expertise within the Atlanta VA HCS and across VA Collaborates with health/social services and local agencies to enhance care of LGBTQ+ Veterans as appropriate. Maintains working relationships with community resources Participates in outreaches and special observance activities as appropriate. Incumbent will provide a full rage of psychological services, including assessment, an using the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques in providing quality care to LGBTQ+ Veterans. Facilitates patient and family education appropriate to the acute care setting and the specific presenting mental or behavioral health issues. Services may include assessment, group therapy, or individual therapy Completes or supervises gender-affirming health care evaluations as referred from Endocrinology or elsewhere within the Atlanta VA HCS. Provides consultation and training to Primary Care Service Line staff in the identification and management of common mental and behavioral health disorders that present in a primary care setting when indicated; May Supervise pre-doctoral Psychology trainees, and may participate in the supervision of trainees in other disciplines, including medical and psychiatric residents assigned to the Primary Care Service for rotations; May serve on Medical Center committees or task forces at direction of immediate supervisor.

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

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 specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.(2) Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that has been accredited by APA. Exceptions: (1) 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 Central Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an intern and (2) VHA facilities who offered full one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre-1979) are considered to be acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement. GRADE DETERMINATIONS: Minimum Qualifications Requirements: At the GS-13: Licensure. Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (e.g., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia.(b) 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. 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 and meet the criteria). References: VA Handbook 5005 , Appendix G-18. Physical Requirements: No special physical demands are required for this position. Employee frequently carry light items such paper files, records, etc. The work is primarily performed while sitting though some work may required periods of standing. Must pass pre-employment examination. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education

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

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 Atlanta VA Medical Center 1670 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033 US
• Name: Christie Lowery
• Phone: 205-554-2000
• Email: [email protected]