Pain Psychologist - Tuscaloosa, United States - Department Of Veterans Affairs

Description

Summary

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.

Duties

***This is an open continuous announcement. Certificates of eligible applicants will be issued as vacancies exist. Each location listed may or may not have a current vacant position.

MAJOR DUTIES

Clinical functions:

• Provides Active Management of Pain (AMP) groups in VA Facility through virtual/telehealth modalities (e.g., VVC) or in-person.
• Provides comprehensive, evidence-based behavioral interventions for pain (e.g., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain), including individual and group therapy.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the biopsychosocial approach to pain care and need to work in an integrated, collaborative, team-based fashion with other pain specialists.
• Provides a full range of psychological assessment services and diagnoses mental health disorders based on patient presentation and need; refers to other mental health providers and specialists in facility as indicated.
• Coordinates and employs a multimodal treatment approach to accomplish complex treatment objectives.
• Demonstrates expertise in assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating treatment plans for adult patients with complex pain problems. As part of the pain team, provides feedback and coordinates care with associated health care team members.
• Functions independently as a member of the Facility Medical Staff, with full clinical privileges; assumes complete professional responsibility for his/her clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation.
• Assesses patient's learning needs, and plans and implements appropriate patient education, involving the patient, family, and significant others in the instructional process.
• Exercises the highest degree of independence and professional judgment in planning and carrying out treatment plans to meet complex objectives for the chronic pain population. Demonstrates originality in solving problems not covered by these guides, making innovative adaptations and modifications of treatment plans and procedures in order to meet the complex and highly varying needs of patients, and routinely collaborates with other health care team members.

• Participates in program development activities related to AMP, including data collection/management, policy development/adherence, and documentation.
• Participates in multidisciplinary team meetings, as well as pain committee meetings, as indicated by Pain Clinic leadership, as well as section and service leadership.
• Complies with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients.
• Complies with all electronic health record documentation procedures, including timeliness standards for documentation and proper patient check out procedures (e.g., entering diagnostic and procedure codes).

• Provides clinical outcomes measures to all AMP participants as instructed and assists with ensuring that information is shared as indicated.
• May develop and implement research projects or prepare grant proposals, in coordination with supervisors and team members.

• May participate in education and clinical training of psychology interns or other health professions trainees.