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 To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/19/2022. 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: (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. OR Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature. 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. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency: Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met. Grade Requirements: GS-14 Experience. At least have 3 years of experience as a professional Psychologist to include one year of equivalent to the GS-13 level. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: 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. 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 utilize evidence based practices and clinical practice guidelines appropriately and ability to guide staff in using these tools. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health. Ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meets multiple deadlines. Ability to supervise and manage subordinate employees effectively. Skill in interpersonal relationships, including conflict resolution. Ability to establish and monitor production and performance priorities and standards. Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G18. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-14 to GS-14. Physical Requirements: Physical qualifications require the ability to stand, walk, bend, and move freely. Must be able to utilize good body mechanics in lifting or restraining patients. Must have good hearing, eyesight, and physical dexterity. Must be clean and neat in appearance. Must be emotionally stable and cooperative. Work is accomplished predominantly in the nursing unit and through escorting to various clinics or hospital areas. The physical surroundings involve working with the acute and chronically physically and mentally ill patients, which may cause discomfort related to negative verbal and physical activities from these patients. The position also may require minimal travel into the community to meet with community agencies and partners who provide assistance and support to the facility and its Veterans. This position may also deliver probate paperwork to various court systems in the local community for processing. This position also requires close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and repetitive motions of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. ["RECRUITMENT AND RELOCATION INCENTIVES MAY BE AUTHORIZED FOR HIGHLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES. The Psychology Program Manager serves as the Inpatient Mental Health Program Manager position with a focus on the quality of inpatient treatment, transitions of care, external and internal relations, patient and staff satisfaction, and ensuring services are delivered based on the principles of patient-centered, recovery-oriented care. Their scope is to elevate treatment for inpatient Veterans through streamlining services with external agencies, providing ongoing evaluation of the quality of care delivered on the unit and offered post-discharge, and change and enhance services in conjunction with key leaders at this facility. Duties included, but not limited to; The Program Manager works with other programs throughout the facility to enhance service options and streamline Acute mental health unit (AMHU) care and post-discharge engagement. The incumbent must be able to demonstrate they are well versed in the programs and coordinator will be responsible for maintaining and enhancing relationships with other programs, departments, stakeholders, and maintaining high unit morale. Responsible for leading efforts to maintain Joint Commission accreditation and adhere to national mental health inpatient guidelines and the Mental Health Environment of Care Checklist (MHEOCC) checklist. The Program Manager interprets and complies with policies, directives, information letters, etc., from Veterans Affairs Central Office (VACO), Veterans Integrates Services Networks (VISN), and the Medical Center in order to ensure adherence by program staff; interprets and complies with regulations and guidelines governing each of the programs to the facility staff and community; develops and maintains standard operating procedures to implement policies and patient care for each program. The incumbent coordinates the administrative, Veteran treatment, and quality improvement activities of the program areas; motivates co-workers and employees, and directs work with regard to performance improvement initiatives. Provides a full range of mental health services tailored to the incumbent's professional discipline (psychology consults and or compensation and pension exams as assigned), particularly for complex or unusually difficult patients. The Program Manager provides direct supervision to clinical and paraprofessional staff and will work closely with the Nurse Manager and other leaders within the Mental Health Care Line. Work Schedule: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Monday through Friday)\nCompressed: Available\nTelework: Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: PD91800-0\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact Kevin Smith at Kevin.Smith2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]