This Staff Psychologist position is a full-time position with duties in the Behavioral Medicine Division, which is part of Mental and Behavioral Health Service (MBHS) within the Durham VA Health Care System (VAHCS). The incumbent has responsibilities of being a psychologist focused on both evidence-based psychotherapy and assessment in behavioral management of cancer-related distress and psychopathology using individual, family, couples, and group therapy formats. 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. 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. 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 (4) 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 (pre- 1979) 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. c. 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. (2) Loss of Credential. A psychologist who fails to maintain the required licensure must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation if qualified and if a placement opportunity exists. (1) 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. The board certificate must be current, and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirement for continuing education. (2) Loss of Credential. Once board certified, psychologist must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted board certification to remain qualified for employment. A psychologist who fails to maintain the required board certification must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation if qualified and if a placement opportunity exists. f. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. g. 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. Grade Determinations (1) Staff Psychologist, 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. (2) Staff 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. 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. Staff Psychologist, 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. Assignment. This is the full performance level for staff psychologists. References: Appendix G18. Psychologist Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 11-13. Physical Requirements: The incumbent must be able to exercise a high degree of emotional and mental discipline at all times in order to continue to carry out duties effectively. This is especially necessary during time periods when the incumbent encounters significant or extreme duress as a result of interactions with patients. ["General Description This Staff Psychologist position is a full-time position with duties in the Behavioral Medicine Division, which is part of Mental and Behavioral Health Service (MBHS) within the Durham VA Health Care System (VAHCS). The incumbent has responsibilities of being a psychologist focused on both evidence-based psychotherapy and assessment in behavioral management of cancer-related distress and psychopathology using individual, family, couples, and group therapy formats. The Psychologist will coordinate and collaborate with members of the Hematology-Oncology clinical team to enhance care for patients and improve quality of life. The Psychologist provides behavioral health assessments and interventions for the growing population of Veterans being seen within the Durham VAHCS. The Psychologist may also provide supervision to Psychology practicum students, interns, and/or postdoctoral fellows who are completing training rotations in Behavioral Medicine. In terms of discipline-specific and other clinical practices, the Psychologist directly reports to the Division Chief of Behavioral Medicine and, ultimately, the Chief of Psychology (Durham VAHCS). I. GRADE DETERMINING ELEMENTS A. Qualifications 1. Doctoral degree in Psychology from a graduate program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), or the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), in an area of training, consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. 2. Doctoral internship in professional Psychology accredited by the APA or CPA. 3. Professional Psychology Licensure: A Psychologist must hold a full, current and unrestricted license to practice Psychology (as a psychologist health service provider) at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the US, or the District of Columbia. (Although North Carolina licensure is preferred, it is not required.) B. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Incumbent fully meets the qualification standards for GS-180-13 Staff Psychologist: 1. Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to the full range of patient populations. 2. Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies. 3. Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures. C. Primary (Clinical) Responsibilities 1. Provides a full range of specialized services at all levels of complexity for patients with a diagnosis of cancer, with service delivery to include consultation, assessment, comprehensive suicide risk evaluations, and psychotherapy. 2. Provides evidence-based psychotherapies, e.g. CBT, in individual, group, family, and couple modalities. 3. Collaborates and coordinates closely with the Hematology-Oncology clinical team to provide same day access for mental health screening. II. ENRICHING ELEMENTS A. Academic/Teaching/Training 1. May contribute to the didactic training series for Psychology interns, postdoctoral fellows, and staff. 2. May contribute to the didactic training series for trainees and staff for medical residents and for other disciplines. 3. Professional development mentorship: May provide research &/or professional development mentorship to psychology interns and fellows. B. Research/Program Evaluation 1. May contribute to the establishment and maintenance of patient tracking and treatment outcome databases to enable ongoing program evaluation for behavioral health within the Behavioral Medicine Division. 2. As requested, analyzes and interprets program evaluation data related to clinical or educational / training programs. 3. May engage in non-funded or VA funded research per approval of the supervising psychologist and Chief of Psychology. C. Other Significant Responsibilities 1. With approval, may serve on Medical Center, VISN, and/or National VA committees or task forces. 2. May represent Psychology / Mental Health programs in various workgroups and committees at the Medical Center. 3. May actively participate in leadership roles on local, state, and national professional organizations. III. Supervisory Controls: The Psychologist exercises independent judgment in the practice and provision of psychological services (clinical care, consultation, and education). S/he/they consults with peers, her/his/their first line supervisor, the Behavioral Medicine Division Chief, and the Associate Chief of Staff for MHBS, as needed. DVAHCS Chief of Psychology acts as the approving official for the Staff Psychologist to ensure adherence to professional standards of the practice of psychology as well as fulfillment of responsibilities for Psychology training Work Schedule: Compressed/Flexible Compressed/Flexible: Yes Telework: Hybrid Virtual: This is not a virtual position. EDRP Authorized: Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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