Staff Psychologist-Relocation/Recruitment Incentive/EDRP Authorized OPEN CONTINUOUS - San Antonio, 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.

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Overview

• Accepting applications
• Open & closing dates

11/07/2023 to 08/30/2024

• Salary

$87,774 - $162,631 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS

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Location

3 vacancies in the following location:

• San Antonio, TX
• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

Yes-as determined by the agency policy.

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -* Work schedule

Full-time -* Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

13

• Job family (Series)

0180 Psychology

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CAZM GC-OCA

• Control number

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This job is open to

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT until August 30, 2024 and is open to U.S. Citizens.

If your are a Department of Veterans Affairs employee, other federal agency employee AND current or former participant of the VA Health Professions Training (HPT) Program, please apply to CAZM GC-OCA.

Help This job is also open in another announcement to:

• Federal employees - Competitive service
• Federal employees - Excepted service
• Internal to an agency

Help This job is also open in another announcement to:

• Federal employees - Competitive service
• Federal employees - Excepted service
• Internal to an agency

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Duties

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until August 30, 2024.

The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be November 15, 2023, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month.

Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Provide a full range of diagnostic and evaluation services in the areas of general psychological evaluation of emotional and behavioral problems and suicide assessment; includes the use of psychological testing for patients in areas of special interest/expertise.
• Perform psychological evaluations for individuals with mental health and medical disorders for purposes of diagnostic clarification and treatment planning recommendations, under the supervision of a licensed staff psychologist. These evaluations employ a comprehensive diagnostic interview, review of available records, collateral contact when available, as well as objective, and cognitive tests when indicated.
• Provide a full range of psychological interventions consistent with training and expertise, with special emphasis on brief and evidence-based interventions when indicated and appropriate to the clinical setting.
• Provide consultation services and serves as a resource for other professional personnel concerning the need for or development of psychological services.
• May be asked to assist in the selection, training, and supervision of staff at lower grades within assigned program area, Psychology Service, or STVHCS.

Academic/teaching/research:

• Provide consultation and training in the identification and management of common mental and behavioral health disorders when indicated.
• May be asked to serve as a clinical supervisor to psychology pre-doctoral interns and doctoral level practicum students in psychology and other disciplines.
• May be asked to prepare and teach seminars/workshops for STVHCS trainees/staff on topics within interest/competency areas.
• May be asked to serve as a member of the STVHCS Psychology Training Committee.
• May be asked to conduct approved psychological research that supports the mission of STVHCS alone or in collaboration with other professionals in STVHCS or affiliated academic institutions.
• May choose to apply for a faculty appointment at the University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio.

Administrative/Program Evaluation/Outcome Measurement/Research Responsibilities:
May have limited clinical program management responsibilities, within the South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS).

• Adhere to operational policies and procedures for the treatment team.
• Facilitate liaisons with other health care programs in STVHCS in order to effectively coordinate services.
• May coordinate programming within the various mental health programs with managers of other programs in mental health as well as with discipline supervisors of affected staff assigned to these programs.
• Comply with national and local performance measures, including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients.
• May serve as the representative for Psychology Service on various Psychology Service, Mental Health Service Line committees or work groups.
• Comply with all CPRS documentation procedures, including timeliness standards for documentation and proper patient check out procedures (e.g., entering diagnostic and procedure code

Work Schedule:
Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm


Telework:
Available


Virtual:
This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000


Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Authorized


EDRP Authorized:
Contact , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized


Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications


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.
• English Language Proficiency Requirement - Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.
• Education Requirement - You must 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. OR, have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully completed a 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 you were retrained is consistent with the assignment you are am applying for; OR, have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.
• Internship Requirement - You must 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 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

(

NOTE:
Once board certified, the employee is required to maintain board certification)


NOTE:

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: Candidates must 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

Exception:

Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment as a "graduate psychologist" at the GS-11 or GS-12 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C c)(2)(B) for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that such a psychologist provide care only under the supervision of a psychologist who is licensed.

Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment.

• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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).

Grade Determinations:
GS-11 Staff Psychologist (Entry Level): Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-12 Staff Psychologist (Developmental Level): Experience. At least 1 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.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

a.

Knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations.

b. Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies.

c. Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures.

d.

Ability to conduct research activities, such as designing and implementing clinical research projects (staff psychologists with specified research job duties).

e.

Ability to perform basic research tasks of scholarship and research execution within the context of an established research team, including research participant relations, research documentation, data acquisition, maintenance, and collaboration.

GS-13 Staff Psychologist (Full Performance Level): Experience.

At least 2 years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 level.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

a. Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations.

b. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health.

c. Knowledge of clinical research literature.

• Experience is only creditable if it is post-doctoral degree experience as a professional psychologist directly related to the duties performed. Post-Doctoral Degree Fellowships. Postdoctoral fellowships or residencies are training programs in an advanced area of clinical practice. Training as a fellow or resident is considered to be creditable experience on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Experience:
GS12

• Experience/training in a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations
• Experience/training in the implement effective treatment strategies
• Experience/training in basic research tasks of scholarship and research execution within the context of an established research team, including research participant relations, research documentation, data acquisition, maintenance, and collaboration

GS-13

• Experience/training in professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations.
• Experience/training in consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health.
• Knowledge of clinical research literature.

References:
VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G18 Psychologist Qualification Standard GS-0180.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-13.

Physical Requirements:

Light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; both hands required; Hearing (aid may be permitted); ability to perform privileges; ability to independently perform physical exam as appropriated to position; emotional & mental stability; mostly sitting with some walking.

Education


IMPORTANT:

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Failure to provide transcripts may result in non-referral of your application if education cannot be verified.

The doctoral degree must be fully 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.

NOTE:

If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Note:
Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.

You can verify your education here:
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education


For further information, visit:
Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive , VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy).

VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations.

If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date.

The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

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Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members:

Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.