This Psychologist will work within the Primary Care Mental Health Integration Team (PCMHI) to assist in the delivery of evidence- based care for Primary Care patients identified with a variety of behavioral and mental health issues including mild to moderate depression, anxiety and substance use problems. S/he will be responsible for supporting an integrated care team by providing brief psychotherapy and assessment, treatment recommendations, education and support. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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. 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.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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Staff Psychologist (Entry Level) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. 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 Staff Psychologist (Developmental Level) Experience. At least 1 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, a wide range of professional psychological theories and assessment methods to a variety of patient populations. Ability to develop coherent treatment strategies. Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures. 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 Staff Psychologist (Full Performance Level) Experience. At least 2 years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, advanced professional psychological theories and evidence-based psychotherapies. Prior professional experience in providing evidence-based psychotherapy to Veterans or other populations preferred. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a diverse group of professional staff and management officials. Ability to develop collaborative, recovery focused treatment plans. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health. Knowledge of clinical research literature. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a diverse group of professional staff and management officials. 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. 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. 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 5005/103 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. ["Clinical Responsibilities (80% of time) Ability to diagnose mental disorders by conduct clinical interviews and psychological assessments as needed. If unlicensed, the individual must be supervised by a licensed psychologist and the experience and supervision must meet the standards for psychology licensure. Consults with the Primary Care and Mental Health Staff on a wide variety of patient care issues. S/He must develop and maintain excellent working relationships with physicians, supervisors, service chiefs, nurses, allied staff, patient representatives and management. This requires substantial communication skills and the ability to remain organized. Provides a full range of psychological assessment and using the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques in providing quality care, focusing mostly on brief functional assessments and short-term psychotherapy most often for mild depression, sleep disturbance, anxiety, and alcohol misuse. Performs functional assessment and evaluations for Primary Care patients. Evaluations may include chart reviews, consultation, psychological testing/interviewing techniques as determined by the clinician. Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions including: evidenced based therapies and interventions to facilitate improvement of optimal functioning. The focus is on short-term, non-specialty mental health care for Veterans who can be managed in Primary Care. Contributes to training of primary care team and others on performance measures, clinical reminders and appropriate consultation to Mental Health as well as the ability of Primary Care providers to care for Mental Health patients discharged from the Mental Health clinic. Performs functional assessment and evaluations for patient enrolled in Primary Care patients to aid in treatment planning and treatment within the primary care setting, aiding in determining the appropriate level of care for patients and making referrals as appropriate. Facilitates warm-hand off and open access availability to ensure on-time, seamless access to behavioral health access within the primary care clinics. Consults and liaisons with the Primary Care and Behavioral Health Staff on a wide variety of patient care issues. S/He must develop and maintain excellent working relationships with physicians, supervisors, service chiefs, nurses, allied staff, patient representatives and management. This requires substantial communication skills and the ability to remain organized. Academic/Teaching/Training: (up to 5-10% of time) May hold faculty appointment at affiliated university. May provide training opportunities to various disciplines (PA students, Psychiatry Residents, Family Practice Residents, and Nursing Students). Maybe Involved in Psychology Training Program and Training Committee. Provides leadership guidance and consultation to staffs of units to which assigned. Serves as a consultant to other medical center staff and trainees and assist in their formulation of the psychological characteristics and appropriate treatment expectations regarding their patients. Research/Program Evaluation/Care Coordination (up to 5% time) Program Development- May participate in development and improvement of new and existing behavioral health programming in specialty medicine and throughout medical center or in program-wide outcome evaluation studies. Assists Behavioral Health management with the establishment of program monitors and outcome measures within programs using data-driven quality assurance process and presents reports to Director of the Integrated Behavioral Health Division as required. Is responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center or healthcare system, as appropriate. Provides administrative duties including: Scheduling of Veterans and related issues, addressing Veterans' phone calls, completing progress notes within one working day. Assists in preparation of RFP's and grant proposals, as assigned. Other Significant Responsibilities (up to 5% time) Participates in Medical Center or VISN committees as a member. Will attend weekly MH & BSS meetings and other treatment team meetings as assigned (up to 5% of time). May be asked to manage consults for the PCMHI clinic, triaging, scheduling, tracking patients. (up to 5% of time). Makes professional level presentations to the medical center, community, universities, or professional organizations. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact Rhonda Smith (Rhonda.Smith5@va.gov), the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nPCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]