Psychologist (Deputy Associate Chief Of Staff - Outpatient Mental Health Clinical Operations) - San Diego, United States - Department of Veterans Affairs

Description

Summary

This position is being offered to multiple disciplines. The candidate will be chosen from one of three announcements. This position is for a Deputy Associate Chief of Staff for Outpatient Mental Health Clinical Operations.

The primary purpose of this position is to provide leadership, budgetary oversight, and programmatic management to the Outpatient MH Units under the direction of the Associate Chief of Staff for MH (ACOS) and in collaboration with the Deputy ACOS MH/Chief Psychiatrist.

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Overview

• Accepting applications
• Open & closing dates

05/10/2024 to 05/31/2024

• Salary

$196,886 - $221,900 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 15

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• San Diego, CA 1 vacancy
• 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

None

• Job family (Series)

0180 Psychology

• Supervisory status

Yes

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBSX REC

• Control number

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This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

This position is open to the Mental Health Care Line at the San Diego VAMC and its CBOC's.

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Duties

DUTIES to include, but not limited too.

• Organizes, coordinates, and harmonizes the day-to-day operational components of outpatient mental health services in the Mental Health Care Line (MHCL).
• In conjunction with the ACOS MH and in collaboration with the Deputy ACOS/Chief Psychiatrist, provides leadership in both short and long-range strategic planning for outpatient services in the MHCL in support of the Network Director's performance measures, VAMC Director's, ACOS for Mental Health, MHCL and other goals set forth by VISN22.
• Adapts the principles, practices, processes, and techniques common to any situation to the specialized requirements of the Medical Center. Plans and schedules work in a manner that promotes a smooth flow and even distribution. Coordinates, plans, and schedules with other managers and customers as appropriate. Identifies need for changes in priorities and takes action to implement such changes.
• Provides direct supervisory oversight of the MHCL outpatient units IU4-IU7 section chiefs and oversees all outpatient mental health programming across all 3 missions of the VA (clinical, education, and research).
• Exercises direct supervisory personnel management responsibilities of IU4-7 section chiefs in conjunction with subordinate's Service Chief or Discipline Lead. Advises and provides counsel to employees regarding policies, procedures, and directives of management. Selects or recommends selection of candidates for vacancies, promotions, details, and reassignments in consideration of skills and qualifications, mission requirements. Applies EEO principles and requirements to all personnel management actions and decisions, and ensures all personnel are treated in a manner free of discrimination. Develops, modifies, and/or interprets performance standards. Ensures that staff has job specific orientation and monitors the professional file with Human Resources for the preparation of JCAHO and/or CARF reviews.
• Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates; sets and adjusts short-term priorities; and prepares schedules. Assigns work to subordinate employees based on the MHCL, VASDHS, VISN, and Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention (OMHSP) priorities and consideration of difficulty and requirements of assignments such that the experience, training, and abilities of staff are effectively utilized to meet organization and customer needs. Balances workload and provides advice, guidance, and direction on a wide range of clinical, budgetary and administrative issues. Structures assignments to create effective and economical positions. Coordinates with the ACOS MH, Deputy ACOS/Chief Psychiatrist, Office of Mental Health, Service Chiefs and Discipline Leads, and customers as appropriate.
• Explains performance expectations to employees and provides regular feedback on strengths and weaknesses. Holds employees responsible for satisfactory completion of work assignments. Appraises subordinate workers performance ensuring consistency and equity in rating techniques. Recommends awards when appropriate and approves within grade increases. Initiates action to correct performance or conduct problems as appropriate. Effects minor disciplinary measures such as warnings and reprimands and recommends action in more serious disciplinary matters. Prepares documentation to support actions taken. Identifies employee developmental needs and provides or arranges for training (formal and informal) to improve job performance.
• Provides leadership to ensure that MHCL meets all clinical programming expectations of the Uniform Mental Health Services Handbook and any other relevant handbooks and policies.
• Researches, interprets, analyzes and applies MHCL, VASDHS, VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network, JCAHO, GARF, and related professional, Federal and VHA policies, procedures, and guidelines to ensure compliance and successful outcomes of any site visit or audit.
• Supports research and educational initiatives across MHCL.

Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday


Telework:
Eligible per Agency Guidelines


Virtual:
This is not a virtual position.


Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized

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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Licensure. Applicants 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.
• Education. Applicant 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 applicants are 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; OR 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:

The re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and

• The specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. OR
• Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.

AND

• Internships. Applicants 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 OR
• 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.

Grade Determinations:

GS-15 Experience: At least four years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-14 level.

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

• Ability to supervise and manage a large group of professional staff effectively.
• Skill in interpersonal relationships, including conflict resolution and ability to work collaboratively with supervisors from other units.
• Ability to accurately apply the qualification standards, assesses the potential of current and prospective employees, and promotes their professional development.
• Ability to develop appropriate productivity standards for professional staff, often across multiple program lines.
• Knowledge of the goals and objectives of the medical center and VISN and ability to communicate these to subordinates.

Preferred Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years professional experience with experience in program administration, supervision of staff, performance improvement, and the delivery of mental health services
• Excellence in clinical care with expertise in at least one mental health disorder highly relevant to the VA clinical core mission
• Demonstrated successful track record as an administrator overseeing robust clinical programs in a large and complex health care facility
• Recognized expertise as an educator and/or a demonstrated track record of peer-reviewed research as evidenced by contributions to the peer-reviewed literature and/or peer reviewed grant funding.
• Experience in leading multidisciplinary staff including psychiatry, psychology, social work, nursing, pharmacy, and others working in mental health settings
• Ability to direct health care benefits in a managed care setting across a health care system
• Demonstrated leadership abilities by increasing health awareness, measuring outcomes, and involving others in improving care
• Ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view
• Demonstrated analytical ability to find viable solutions to complex problems utilizing data, logic and/or research methodology, and provide senior leaders with viable make/buy options to address complex cost/benefits options
• Demonstrated familiarity and experience with VA rules and regulations relating to community care, including the Mission Act
• Ability to manage and balance complex cost decisions regarding whether to approve care based on cost avoidance versus patient preferences
• Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program
• Ability to utilize systems thinking in managing ethical dilemmas
• Demonstrated ability to understand and utilize systems redesign or other performance improvement methodologies to analyze and monitor existing processes, and develop and implement effective solutions to optimize the delivery of high-quality healthcare services
• Eligibility for an academic appointment at the affiliated medical school.

References:
VA Handbook 5005/103, Part II, Appendix G18, Psychologist Qualification Standard GS-180 Veterans Health Administration.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-15.

Physical Requirements:
The position requires occasional, standing, crouching, carrying, stooping, kneeling, pushing and pulling less than 25 pounds. There may be frequent reaching and walking. As this is a sedentary position, it may require sitting for long periods. The incumbent will frequently communicate with staff and customers online, in person and through emails.

Education


IMPORTANT:

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

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


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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 an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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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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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.