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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. 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. English Language Proficiency Requirement: Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. Education Requirement: (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 specialization program (including documentation of an approved internship completed as part of the 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 Internship Requirement: (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. 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-13 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant is selected is a GS-13. Clinical Psychologist, GS-13 (Full Performance Level): At least 2 additional years of experience, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 level. References: A Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G18: The basic requirements for employment as a VHA psychologist are prescribed by: Public Law 96-151 codified in Title 38, U.S.C. § 7402. To qualify for appointment, all applicants for the position of psychologist in VHA must meet the following: Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 lbs.; Light carrying, under 15 lbs.; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking, standing; Both legs required; Hearing (aid permitted). ["Duties: This full time position consists of a psychologist that participates in a full range of psychotherapeutic, diagnostic and training activities within the Outpatient Trauma Services Program (TSP). The incumbent is responsible for the provision of outpatient posttraumatic stress disorder services as part of the Outpatient TSP Team. This individual will perform assessment and evidence based individual and group psychotherapy for Veterans experiencing symptoms of PTSD. These services may include provision of therapy or assessment via in-person and telehealth modalities. This individual will act as a specialist in the treatment of PTSD and will consult with peers in this area as needed. The incumbent will also participate in collaborative treatment planning and program development as part of the TSP in partnership with the BHIP teams. The psychologist applies advanced strategies to a full range of patient problems in his/her work setting. He/she has advanced knowledge of culturally sensitive psychological assessment techniques, diagnosis, intervention, and behavioral health that qualifies him/her to provide advice and consultation to professionals representing a variety of disciplines. The incumbent is also required to exercise judgment in the selection of or adaptation of standard and accepted psychological theories, techniques, and practices in treating patients or developing new techniques and programs for the treatment of clinical populations. The primary job functions of psychologists at the GS-13 level include the provision of direct psychological patient care, consultation services on difficult or complex cases, education of staff and trainee supervision. 3. Clinical Responsibilities (75 to 80% of time) Independently provides specialized psychological services at all levels of complexity for combat-related PTSD and/or MST, with service delivery to include intake evaluation, diagnostic assessments, psychotherapy and case management. Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions to patients served by the TSP. These largely include VA supported first-line evidence-based treatments (EBTs) for PTSD including but not solely limited to: Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), as well as other adjunctive and supported EBTs, individual and group psychotherapy, couples and family therapy, psychoeducation, and outreach services to community and other federal government entities. Modalities may include using tele-mental health technology. Performs psychological evaluations of patients with diagnosis of PTSD to include administration of standard PTSD assessment instruments including the CAPS and PCL, as well as a variety of post-deployment adjustment difficulties, with a primary emphasis on veterans deployed into a combat zone and/or MST. Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions to units/programs in the Medical Center to which the psychologist is assigned and has clinical privileges to practice including individual psychotherapy and/or counseling, vocational counseling, group therapy and/or counseling, family therapy and/or counseling, crisis intervention, administration and interpretation of psychometric tests (objective), administration and interpretation of psychometric tests (projective), program evaluation, psychological research, consultation, biofeedback, hypnotherapy, neuropsychological assessment, sexual dysfunction therapy, specified atypical psychotherapy. 4. Administrative responsibilities: (5% of time) Attends and participates in administrative and informational meetings held by the Chief of Service, Chief of Staff and Director (or duly appointed designees). Attends monthly Psychological Service staff meetings and complies with Psychology Service peer review procedures. Completes assigned Performance Improvement activities at the program, service line, and medical center level. Attends regularly scheduled treatment team meetings to ensure efficiency and continuity of service delivery to specialized patient population. 5. Case Management Responsibilities: (10 to 15% of time) Timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center or healthcare system, as appropriate. Respond to patients request for release of records; return telephone calls, linking of services, and appropriate referrals as needed in a timely fashion. With permission from patient, collateral consultation with significant others/ support systems to aid in the facilitation of patients' treatment. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. EDRP Authorized: Contact Cheryl Lahair; cheryl.lahair@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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