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The Psychologist in the Social and Behavioral Health Service (S&BHS) at the Alaska VA Healthcare System (Alaska VAHCS) conducts psychological and/or neuropsychological assessment, diagnoses and treats mental disorders. Treatment modalities may include individual, family, and group psychotherapies, and adjunctive therapies within scope of practice. 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: 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 3.g, 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. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) 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 (or will complete) as part of the re-specialization program) meeting both of the following conditions: Must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program, and, the specialty in which the applicant is retained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) OR Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature. (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED) AND 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. (COPY OF LICENSE REQUIRED FOR GS-13) 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. 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). Grade Determinations: Staff Psychologist, GS-13 (Full Performance, Level) Experience. At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations. 2. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health. 3. Knowledge of clinical research literature. References: VA Handbook 5005/103, Part II, Appendix G18, February 7, 2018 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Light lifting, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the others, both eyes, and emotional/mental stability. Environmental factors include dry atmospheric conditions, working closely with others, and working alone. ["Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Clinical Responsibilities Provides psychological assessment, triage, intervention, education, and consultative services consistent with training and expertise related to mental health and behavioral medicine concerns of varying complexity in an outpatient setting. Delivers a full range of psychological interventions with a strong emphasis on time-limited, evidenced-based treatments. Provides individual, group, and family psychotherapy and counseling/education to Veterans and family members, as clinically indicated. Conducts assessments appropriate to the individual patient, including evaluating high risk factors, acuity, and need for services, with attention to the implications of test results for a Veteran's real-world function and successful treatment/management of health problems with an emphasis on behavioral health factors associated with improved quality of life. Develops comprehensive treatment plans in collaboration with interdisciplinary team members documenting patient-generated concerns and goals, measurable objectives, and interventions for clinical treatment. Employs patient-reported outcome measures to inform treatment plan (measurement-based care) and adjusts interventions based on changing needs, response to interventions, and to improve outcomes. Complies with all national and local CPRS documentation procedures and timeliness standards for documentation including completion of patient encounters, clinical reminders, treatment plans, and discharge summaries. Provides expert consultation to other BHIP interdisciplinary members and healthcare providers within the Alaska VAHCS and Vet Centers, and coordinates care with community providers following HIPPA and VHA Directives related to release of information practices to support psychosocial recovery of the person served. Functions independently as a member of the Social and Behavioral Health Service at the Alaska VAHCS with full clinical privileges. Assumes complete professional responsibility for his/her clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation. Teaching and Training Provides consultation and training to S&BHS, medical center, and community in the identification and management of common behavioral health conditions. Assists in the ongoing improvement of the Psychology Training Program. May supervise pre-doctoral Psychology trainees (or Graduate Psychologists) and may participate in the training of other disciplines (e.g., social work interns, psychiatry residents, medical students, and nursing students) as appropriate and within scope of practice. Participates in education/CME lectures, research, specialty care programs/clinics, and collaborates in community outreach/educational activities as assigned by the Chief of Psychology. Administrative Responsibilities Attends and participates in administrative and informational meetings held by ACOS of the Social and Behavioral Health Service, or duly appointed designees. Attends monthly Psychology Service staff meetings and complies with Psychology Service case consultation and peer review procedures. Assists, as assigned, in the execution of ongoing program evaluation and data-driven process/quality improvement projects to monitor the effectiveness of clinical programs within the service line and medical center. Responsible for identification of client problems requiring consultation with other multi-disciplinary medical center staff and treatment programs and makes appropriate referrals. Attends regularly scheduled or ad hoc treatment team meetings to ensure efficiency and continuity of service delivery to specialized client population. Engages in ongoing professional training programs sponsored by the VISN, VAMC and APA recognized training programs to enhance knowledge, skills, and abilities in area of specialization. Participates on selection panels for Staff Psychologist position vacancies or other positions as assigned by Chief of Psychology. Work Schedule: 8AM - 4:30PM, Monday - Friday Compressed/Flexible: May be authorized Telework: Available - as determined by agency policy Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Stacy Hermann @ V20CompensationTeam@va.gov,, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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