The Psychologist (SC-SUD) is embedded within, and functions as a member of, the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP), and works across teams, providing support within Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI). The psychologist supports Veterans in low level interventions (ASAM Level 1.0 and lower) for substance use disorders, and facilitates warm handoffs/transitions between levels of care. The SUD Psychologist works within a stepped care model, treating Veteran. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-11 (Entry Level) (a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Assignment. Staff psychologists at this level diagnose mental disorders, conduct psychological or neuropsychological assessments, treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities, provide adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical disorders, and may conduct research. They may be assigned to any program area. Psychologists who are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed psychologist. GS-12 (Developmental Level) (a) 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. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate 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. (c) Assignment. Staff psychologists at this level diagnose mental disorders, conduct psychological or neuropsychological assessments, treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities, provide adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical disorders, and may conduct research. They may be assigned to any program area. GS-13 (Full Performance, Level) (a) Experience. At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate 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. (c) Assignment. This is the full performance level for staff psychologists. At this level, psychologists are licensed to practice independently in the provision of psychological services, consulting with peers and supervisors as appropriate. They may be assigned to any VHA program and setting, such as inpatient or outpatient medicine, primary care, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, geriatrics, Compensation and Pension, Vet Centers, and the VHA National Center for Organization Development. Psychologists diagnose mental disorders, conduct psychological or neuropsychological assessments, treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities, and provide adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical disorders. Among the modalities provided are individual, family, and group psychotherapies and other interventions such as behavioral health and community interventions. Psychologists consult with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues. Staff psychologists may be involved in program evaluation, teaching, training, and research activities. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/103 PART II APPENDIX G18 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. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 ["The psychologist exercises independent judgment in the practice and provision of psychological care (clinical care, consultation, and education). He/she consults with peers, and reports to the SATP Program Manager for programmatic oversight as the first line supervisor, who assumes broad oversight responsibility for the structure and functioning of the SUD Stepped-Care positions, the Chief Psychologist for clinical and administrative oversight as the approving official for the psychologist, to ensure adherence to professional standards of the practice of psychology as well as the fulfillment of responsibilities for training psychology interns, and to the ACOS, Mental Health Service, as needed. Psychologists functions in accordance with the policies, principals, professional ethics and techniques of accepted Psychology practice to include the American Psychological Association, professional licensing code, and State laws. Additional guides are available in the form of Veterans Administration directives; program guides, bulletins and circulars; Center Memoranda; Medical Staff By-Laws; applicable Labor-Management Bargaining Agreements; and external accreditation agencies utilized by the VA Medical Center (TJC, CARF, etc.). 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. Learn more. Contact the facility EDRP Coordinator for further questions/assistance. The VISN 20 EDRP Coordinator can be reached at V20-EDRPGroup@va.gov Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 0800-1630\nCompressed/Flexible: No\nTelework: Telework eligible\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: No"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.