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

This announcement is an Open Continuous Announcement and will remain open until all position(s) are filled. The first cut-off will be February 1, 2024. Applications received after this will be sent to management upon request until the position(s) are fulfilled. GS-11: The incumbent serves as a psychologist, for the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), within Psychology Service of the South Texas Veterans Healthcare System. In this capacity, the incumbent offers treatment in the form of individual psychotherapy, couples and family psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, psychoeducation, psychological assessment, and provides consultation to other members of an interdisciplinary team. As a non-licensed Graduate Psychologist, incumbent is under the direct close supervision of a licensed staff psychologist. GS-12: The incumbent serves as a psychologist for the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), within Psychology Service of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. In this capacity, the incumbent offers treatment in the form of individual therapy, couple and family psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, psychological assessment, and provides consultation to other members of the team. Non-licensed Graduate Psychologists, are under the direct supervision of a licensed staff psychologist. GS-13: The incumbent serves as a psychologist for the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), within Psychology Service of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. In this capacity, the incumbent offers treatment in the form of individual therapy, couple and family psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, psychological assessment, and provides consultation to other members of the team. Licensed Staff Psychologists practice at the Full Performance Level. Clinical Responsibilities: 1. Provides a full range of diagnostic and evaluation services for patients enrolled in a BHIP, in the areas of psychological evaluation of emotional and behavioral problems and suicide risk assessment; includes the use of psychological testing for patients in areas of special interest/ expertise, under the close supervision of a licensed staff psychologist. 2. Performs psychological evaluations for individuals with mental health and medical disorders for purposes of diagnostic clarification and treatment planning recommendations, under the close supervision of a licensed staff psychologist. These evaluations employ a comprehensive diagnostic interview, review of available records, collateral contact when available, as well as objective and cognitive tests when indicated. 3. Provides a full range of psychological interventions consistent with training and expertise, with special emphasis on time-limited episodes of care and evidence-based interventions when indicated and that are appropriate to the clinical setting, under the close supervision of a licensed psychologist. Provides services via telehealth when indicated and appropriate. Academic/teaching/research: 1. Provides consultation and training in the identification and management of common mental and behavioral health disorders when indicated. 2. May serve as a clinical supervisor to psychology pre-doctoral interns, post-doctoral fellows, and doctoral-level practicum students in psychology and other disciplines. 3. Prepares and teaches seminars/workshops for STVHCS trainees/staff on topics within interest/competency areas. Administrative/Program Evaluation/Outcome Measurement/Research Responsibilities: (GS-12-GS-13): May have limited clinical program management responsibilities, within the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS). 1. Adheres to operational policies and procedures for the treatment team. 2. Facilitates liaisons with other health care programs in STVHCS in order to effectively coordinate services. 3. May coordinate programming within the various mental health programs with managers of other programs in mental health as well as with discipline supervisors of affected staff assigned to these programs. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday / 0730 - 1600 Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. 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. [Psychologists who have successfully completed a re-specialization program as described above and who were employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs prior to the implementation of this standard are considered to have fully met the educational requirements of these qualification standards.] [OR (3) Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.] AND Internships (a) 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 (b) 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 (c) VHA facilities that offered full-time, one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre1979) 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.) [OR (e) 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. NOTE: Psychologists who meet the requirements of this revision and who were employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs prior to the implementation of this standard are considered to have fully met the requirements of this qualification standard.] 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. (1) 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 the 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. Board Certification. Persons hired to psychology positions in the 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. Grade Determinations: GS-11 (Entry) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-12 (Developmental) - Experience. At least one year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Psychologists who are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist but with less intense supervision than at the GS-11 grade level. AND must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations. 2. Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies. 3. Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures. 4. Ability to conduct research activities, such as designing and implementing clinical research projects (staff psychologists with specified research job duties). 5. Ability to perform basic research tasks of scholarship and research execution within the context of an established research team, including research participant relations, research documentation, data acquisition, maintenance, and collaboration. GS-13 (Full Performance) - At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. In addition to the experience above must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations. 2. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health. 3. Knowledge of clinical research literature The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-13. Quals Cont Below:

Education

Quals Cont:
References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/103 APPENDIX G18

Applicant 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).

Preferred Experience: GS-12

• Experience/training in a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations.
• Experience/training in the implement effective treatment strategies.
• Experience/training in basic research tasks of scholarship and research execution within the context of an established research team, including research participant relations, research documentation, data acquisition, maintenance, and collaboration.

Preferred Experience: GS-13

• Experience/training in professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations.
• Experience/training in consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health.
• Knowledge of clinical research literature.

Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Ability to perform physical exams as appropriate; Mostly Sitting w/some walking; Emotional and mental Stability

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

Note: 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.

Accreditation Information: The doctoral degree and Internships must be fully 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.. Verification of accreditation may be made obtained from APA, CPA, or PCSAS.

Note: If your school or Internship program has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Note: If your school was accredited by any of the above named agencies at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the website(s), you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

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 Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard San Antonio, TX 78229 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]