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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. 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. 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. 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 (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. (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. 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. 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. 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: GS-14 Psychology Program Manager Experience: At least 3 years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-13 level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate 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. Preferred Experience: Experience with evidence based treatment Experience working with veterans in crisis and conducting risk assessments At least one (1) year experience with developing and implementing large scale outreach events A minimum of one (1) year experience working with a VA suicide prevention program and VHA policies and directives Experience completing VA Issue Briefs At least one (1) year experience writing press releases and very comfortable providing media interviews References: VA Handbook 5005/103 Part II Appendix G18 dated February 7, 2018. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-14. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. ["The incumbent is responsible for the planning, establishing, and implementing of policies and procedures for the Suicide Prevention Programs throughout the El Paso VA Health Care System (EPVAHCS) and surrounding Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs); supervising staff for assigned program(s); and developing individual or group goals and objectives as well as monitoring, operating, evaluating, coordinating, and overseeing services in assigned program(s) for EPVAHCS. The incumbent works collaboratively with the Behavioral Health Service (BHS) Leadership to assure assigned staff adhere to all current directives of VHA, and meet current Joint Commission standards, state licensure standards, and VA-OIG expectations. The incumbent will conduct ongoing intensive reviews and appraisals to ensure the accomplishment of objectives and adherence to standards set by governing and accreditation bodies. The incumbent also provides direct clinical services for a portion of his/her time. i. The incumbent administratively and clinically supervises the Suicide Prevention team which includes the Suicide Prevention Coordinators, Case Managers, Program Support Assistant/management Assistant as well as Community Engagement and Partnership Program Coordinators and Collaborative Care Managers, to identify, track and case manage patients determined to be at high-risk for suicide and monitors their care to assure that needed services are being received by the appropriate mental health treatment team. Assures that Veterans on the facility high risk list are followed by their appropriate provider in compliance with the 90-day protocol for high-risk patients ii. The incumbent is well versed in Suicide Prevention research and evidence-based practices and risk assessment. iii. The incumbent takes the lead in suicide prevention program development with Mental Health Service and Facility Leadership, in coordination with VACO and VISN 17. iv. The incumbent communicates and ensures resolution of suicide prevention issues in a clear, concise, and engaging manner orally and in writing through issue briefs, congressional responses, White House Inquiries, and Director's Office requests. v. As a seasoned clinician skillful in coaching and mentoring, the incumbent provides appropriate and evidence informed training in Suicide Prevention initiatives risk factors, warning signs, treatment options, and educational resources to clinical and non-clinical staff across VA Community Partners, within the El Paso VA Healthcare System, Community Based Outreach Clinics (CBOCs) and in VISN 17. The incumbent assures that Suicide Prevention clinical notes contain timely, accurate and relevant clinical information. vi. As the facility subject matter expert, the incumbent is the primary point of contact and leads out on all matters pertaining to suicide prevention for the El Paso VA Healthcare System executive leadership, VISN 17 and VACO. The incumbent will be the point of contact for Vet Centers to consult and refer high risk Veterans, coordinate the provision of mental health and medical services at the VAMC for these referred Veterans, work closely with Vet Center staff to provide training, and assist with the utilization of risk assessments including safety planning, REACH Vet, STORM, etc. RCA (Root Cause Analysis) processes, annual Aggregated RCA Reviews related to suicide behavior with recommendations for system improvements, and implementation follow-up including those related to facility safety planning, REACH Vet, STORM, and other Suicide Prevention Initiatives are provided. vii. The incumbent facilitates Veteran's Crisis Line response, high risk patient Suicide Behavior and Overdoes Reporting, Level 2 Patient Record Flag management, and revision of El Paso VA Healthcare System Policies pertaining to Suicide Prevention as needed and appropriate Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact VISN17EDRP2@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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