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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. 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. ["The Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PC-MHI) Women's Health Psychologist supports Primary Care Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT)-based treatment of both mental health conditions and behavioral aspects of chronic medical conditions. PC-MHI programs seamlessly combine evidence based care management and co-located collaborative care components. The goals of the PC-MHI are: - To provide immediate access to clinical assessment and appropriate collaborative care and treatment for those experiencing mental health symptoms (either ad hoc or in response to screening). - To practice collaborative, stepped and measurement-based care, including appropriate longitudinal follow-up, to address common mental health conditions for the primary care population. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) began implementation of the patient centered medical home model now known as PACT (Patient Aligned Care Team) in the beginning of FY10. PACT focuses on: - Partnerships with Veterans - Access to care using diverse methods - Coordinated care among team members In the PACTs, Veterans work together with health care professionals to plan for whole-person care and life-long health and wellness. The care team considers all aspects of patient health, with an emphasis on prevention and health promotion. Care is coordinated through collaboration. All members of the team have clearly defined roles with a focus is on forging trusted personal relationships, and the result is coordination of all aspects of health care. General Description: This co-located, collaborative care (CCC) psychologist position is administratively within the Mental and Behavioral Health Service Line, with the primary assignment to Primary Care- Mental Health Integration (PC-MHI) program. The CCC Psychologist functions as part of multidisciplinary primary care teams, and delivers brief, consultation-based services to women Veterans, primary care providers, and allied PACT members. The PC-MHI Women's Health psychologist will be a 100% virtual position, with services provided across the entire DVAHCS. The psychologist applies advanced professional psychological diagnostic methods and evidence-based intervention strategies to a full range of patient problems in their work setting. The psychologist has advanced knowledge of psychological diagnosis, intervention, and behavioral health that qualifies them to provide advice and consultation to professionals representing a variety of disciplines. The primary job functions of psychologists at this level include the provision of direct psychological patient care, consultation services on difficult or complex cases, and education of staff. Functions: Clinical Responsibilities: 1. Provides functional assessment, triage, brief intervention, and education for a wide range of mental health and behavioral medicine concerns, on referral from primary care providers and allied PACT members. 2. Provides education to patients, family members, and significant others. 3. Provides evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, including individual and group psychotherapy. Administrative responsibilities 1. Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients. 2. Complies with all CPRS documentation procedures, including timeliness standards for documentation and proper patient check out procedures (e.g., entering diagnostic and procedure codes). Teaching and Training 1. Provides clinical supervision and instruction for psychology interns and/or practicum students. 2. Completes formal written trainee evaluations in a timely manner at periods required by the psychology internship training program. Supervisory Controls: The psychologist exercises independent judgment in the practice and provision of psychological services (clinical care, consultation, and education). The psychologist consults with peers, the first line supervisor, the Supervisory Psychologist, and the Service Chief, as needed. The 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. Preferred experiences: Women's mental health clinical care experience, Primary Care Mental Health Competency training completion, and 2 years integrated care experience. Work Schedule: M-F 8A-4:30P Virtual: This is a virtual position. EDRP Authorized: Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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