Career Center

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. Basic Requirements Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. 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. AND 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 (pre1979) 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. 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. 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. Grade Determinations: Psychology Program Manager, GS-14 Experience. At least three years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-13 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlines. 2. Knowledge of and ability to utilize evidence based practices and clinical practice guidelines appropriately and ability to guide staff in using these tools. 3. Ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view. 4. Skill in managing and directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives. 5. Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations. 6. Ability to establish and monitor production and performance priorities and standards. 7. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program. Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Psychologist program managers have broad program management responsibilities for a specific program or programs that are designed to deliver specialized, complex, highly professional services that are important program components of the facility and that significantly impact the health care provided to Veterans. Programs include but are not limited to addiction, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mental health intensive case management (MHICM), mental health compensation and pension examination (C&P) programs, Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Centers, inpatient mental health, residential rehabilitation, domiciliary, palliative care, neuropsychology, and internship and postdoctoral fellowship training programs; management of an off campus site; psychology program oversight and coordination throughout the facility and its affiliated clinics as a psychology executive, typically at lower complexity facilities. Decisions made by the Program Manager affect staff and other resources associated with the programs managed and are made while exercising wide latitude and independent judgment. The type of program managed and scope of responsibility are critical aspects of the assignment at this level. Responsibilities include operation and management of key clinical, training, research, or administrative programs to include full responsibility for managing the day to day activities of those programs. Responsibility may include supervision of staff but is not required. Psychologist Program Managers are responsible for strategic planning to ensure the provision of high quality services to meet the needs of the Veterans being served and planning, and developing and implementing short- and long-term goals and objectives consistent with the program's strategic plan. They have oversight of administrative and programmatic resources and deploy those resources in support of the program needs. They develop and implement programs, policies, and procedures to meet program goals, VHA policy and external accreditation requirements, and monitor outcomes using data-driven quality assurance processes, and implement strategies for improvement based on data analysis. 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 GS-14. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["The Program Manager - SA Dom provides full range of oversight of the day to day operation of the 30-bed SA Dom unit of the larger Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program - three bed sections. All work done within the SA Dom is under the Program Manager's oversight; Program Manager is responsible for some of the staff and their performance and is the task supervisor for those who have professional specific supervisors, for example but not limited to Nursing. The Program Manager is responsible for the safety, structure for the unit. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring all work necessary to ensure that the unit meets the standards for the VA, Joint Commission, CARF and any other regulatory oversight. Clinical Responsibilities Diagnoses mental disorders, particularly SA, and conducts psychological and/or cognitive function assessments and neuropsychological screenings. Treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities, particularly SA, and provide adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical disorders. Provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services including assessment and using the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques in providing quality care. Performs evaluations for psycho-diagnosis, treatment planning and functional evaluations, particularly for SA. Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions including individual and group psychotherapy, family therapy, consultation, rehabilitation, and psychoeducation. Consults with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues. Staff clinical psychologists may be involved in program evaluation and/or research activities Administrative Responsibilities Oversight of all clinical activities which occur in the Hudson Valley VA HCS SA Division including the Substance Abuse Disorder Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (SA-RRTP), the Outpatient SA Treatment Program, and outpatient SA provision. These programs and services are based in several locations including the main VA medical center locations (Montrose and Castle Point) and the 7 CBOCs within the system. Assigned supervisory responsibility by the Chief of Psychology for subordinates (psychologists, psychology/mental health technicians, clerical staff, and trainees) and assists the Chief of Psychology in responsibility for professional, management, and administrative aspects of Psychology Service within Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences Services. This includes approval of leave, ensuring coverage of clinical services, personnel actions, performance appraisal standards and evaluations, clinical assignments, management of psychological clinical programs and services, etc. Assigned direct supervision of clinical and clerical staff in Psychology by the Chief of Psychology, including clinical assignments, and administration of all psychological clinical services and programs. Assists the Chief of Psychology in management and administration of Psychology budget and resources. Develop and implement policies, procedures, and program guidelines for all SA programs at VA Hudson Valley Health Care System Coordinate administrative and programmatic resources for all SA programs at the VA Hudson Valley Health Care System Monitor outcomes of Veterans utilizing SA programs using data-driven quality assurance processes Serves as on-sight supervisor for the SA clinical staff. Collect and monitor data regarding patient referrals. Program outreach/education to other VA hospitals, clinics, and Vet Centers. Establish & monitor clinic profiles in terms of availability, utilization & scheduling. Administratively participate in all application reviews, applicant interviews and recommendations for the hiring of new employees in the program. Develop and maintain program Patient Handbooks. Participate in ongoing and annual VA program reporting. Represent the SA division in various JCAHO and mental health committees and work groups. Serve as administrative agent for patients who wish to convey complaints, concerns, or requests regarding any aspect of the overall program. Accordingly, liaison with the VA patient advocates, office of the chief of staff and office of the director when necessary. Conduct unit environmental and safety inspections. Develop and execute administrative forms, form letters, tracking and monitoring spread sheets & programs, program schedules, attendance tracking, patient certificates, etc. Monitor and coordinate the work of psychology technicians and peer support technicians who work in the SA division, and supervise patient volunteers. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 13609-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Recruitment Incentive Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Christine McMahan, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

Return to Search Results