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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: The basic requirements for employment as a VHA psychologist are prescribed by Public Law 96-151 codified in 38 U.S.C. § 7402. To qualify for appointment, all applicants for the position of psychologist in VHA must meet the following: 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. 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 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 (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. 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 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: 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. Assignment. This is the full performance level for staff psychologists. At this level, psychologists are licensed to practice independently in the provision of psychological services, consulting with peers and supervisors as appropriate. They may be assigned to any VHA program and setting, such as inpatient or outpatient medicine, primary care, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, geriatrics, Compensation and Pension, Vet Centers, and the VHA National Center for Organization Development. Psychologists diagnose mental disorders, conduct psychological or neuropsychological assessments, treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities, and provide adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical disorders. Among the modalities provided are individual, family, and group psychotherapies and other interventions such as behavioral health and community interventions. Psychologists consult with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues. Staff psychologists may be involved in program evaluation, teaching, training, and research activities. Preferred Experience: Preferred experience delivering evidence based therapies to treat sleep difficulties such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia as well as assessing mental health/sleep disorders. Preferred experience working with interdisciplinary staff in a sleep clinic 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, light carrying, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking, standing, hearing (aid permitted), emotional/mental stability. ["This full time position consists of a psychologist that participates in a full range of psychotherapeutic diagnostic and training activities under the supervision of the Chief of Psychology. They are responsible for the provision of sleep psychology services .5 in the sleep clinic and psychotherapy services .5 in the outpatient general mental health clinic at the Louis A Johnson VAMC. This individual will hold a specialization in sleep psychology. They will evaluate and treat sleep disorders in the Sleep clinic. This individual will act as a specialist in the treatment of sleep disorders and will consult with peers in this area as needed. They will perform assessment and evidenced based individual, group, and or family/couples therapy to an array of patient populations in the general mental health clinic. These services may include provision of therapy or assessment via telehealth equipment. The inclusion of family in the treatment process may occur when deemed appropriate. The incumbent will serve as a consultant to other disciplines in the area of behavioral and mental health and other areas of the facility as needed. They will participate in the professional activities of the Behavioral Health Service and the Medical Center at the direction of and approval of the Chief of Psychology and Associate Chief of Staff, Behavioral Health. These activities may include, but are not necessarily limited to: administrative committees of Behavioral Health and/or the Medical Center, continuing education, training, research, and treatment/program evaluation. They function as a member of the Louis A Johnson VAMC Medical Staff with full clinical privileges. The psychologist complies with all documentation and coding procedures, as well as national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients. The psychologist should have a strong foundation in evidence based psychotherapy and diagnosis in the areas of sleep disorders and other mental health diagnosis. They should possess good time management skills, be self-directed, and have good communication and negotiation skills to balance workload demands. The psychologist should be familiar with and able to easily use a personal computer. Proficiency in writing psychological reports, chart notes, and develop treatment summaries in a timely manner is expected. They should be able to prioritize their work appropriately and should seek consultation as needed to deal with difficult cases. The psychologist should be able to demonstrate leadership abilities within a respectful interdisciplinary team format and should be self-motivating to seek out an complete work assignments. The psychologist should be familiar with VA and Behavioral Health Service policies and procedures as well as accrediting body standards such as Joint Commission and should be able to follow protocol while maintaining necessary flexibility to over come and barriers to providing service to Veterans. The psychologist should exhibit excellent customer service skills toward both patients and coworkers and remain professional even during times of high level of stress. Functions: Provides psychological treatment and services: The incumbent has knowledge of, and ability to apply, a wide range of professional psychological theories, evidence based therapies and assessment methods to a variety of patient populations. Has had specialized training in sleep psychology. Provides psychological evaluation and assessment: The incumbent performs evaluations of Veterans with a variety of sleep, psychological, mood, and personality disorders. Performs consultation and training: The psychologist consults with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues Participates in meetings, committees or projects as assigned: The incumbent attends and participates in organizational meetings, treatment planning meetings and assigned committees or projects. Advocacy: The psychologist understands the intimidation of bureaucracy and will act as an advocate when it serves the best interest of the Veteran/family Crisis Intervention: The psychologist is experienced in making rapid assessments and developing crisis management plans for admission to mental health inpatient programs when needed Administrative responsibilities: The psychologist will enter all Veteran/family contacts in the electronic record using appropriate formats and templates Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Corey.Hickman@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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