This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/681140300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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. Learn more
10/04/2022 to 11/07/2022
$76,961 - $142,595 per year
GS 11 - 13
No
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Not required
No
Permanent
Full-time
Excepted
13
No
Yes
CAZX-11532116-22-KRB
681140300
Current federal employees of this agency.
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
First Area of Consideration-Current Permanent Facility Employees Second Area of Consideration- Current Permanent VA Employees AND Current or Past VHA OAA Trainees Third Area of Consideration- US Citizens
The Psychologist is located in the Supportive Recovery Services section (Substance Use Disorder clinic) of the Mental Health Patient Care Center at the James J. Peters (Bronx) VA Medical Center. Duties include, but are not limited to, a full range of psycho-diagnostic services including assessment, using the most appropriate, evidence-based psychotherapeutic intervention techniques in providing quality care in the delivery of a full range of psychological and multidisciplinary services.
The psychologist will provide evidenced based, recovery-oriented services to veterans with substance use disorders and other co-morbid mental health conditions. The psychologist will function as a full member of the substance use disorder program's mental health team, including but not limited to active participation in treatment team meetings as well as engaging with Veterans as appropriate and requested through intake evaluations, psychological assessment, individual psychotherapy and psychoeducation/counseling, and psychoeducational groups.
The incumbent has advanced knowledge of culturally sensitive psychological assessment techniques, diagnosis, intervention, and behavioral health that qualifies them to provide advice and consultation to professionals representing a variety of disciplines.
Clinical Responsibilities
1) Performs psychological evaluations and consultations for individuals with substance use disorders and other comorbid mental health conditions for purposes of diagnostic clarification and treatment planning. These evaluations employ a comprehensive diagnostic interview, review of available records, as well as objective tests when indicated.
2) Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions as a member of the SRS Program, including individual psychotherapy and psychoeducation/counseling as well as psychoeducational groups. Best practices, clinical practice guidelines, and evidence-based treatment protocols are utilized to the extent feasible in all therapeutic interventions.
3) Ensures that all clinical work is documented accurately and in a timely fashion, consistent with the MHPCC and facility expectations and policies.
4) Assures that appropriate referrals to specialty programs, including community resources, are accomplished. This may include referrals to other Mental Health Programs (i.e., Mental Health Clinic, Neuropsychology, PTSD Clinic, Compensated Work Therapy, Homeless services, Vocational Rehabilitation, etc.).
5) Fully accountable for practice, including completing encounters, creating and updating treatment plans as appropriate, entering patient care notes, measuring outcomes to interventions, and meeting productivity standards, including prompt completion of clinical reminders.
6) Participates in the establishment of program monitors and outcome measurements within programs assigned using data-driven quality assurance processes.
7) Implements process improvement initiatives to promote optimal service delivery.
8) Promotes patient independence and achievement of optimal health through appropriate psychosocial education and community referrals
9) Provides consultation to professional staff within the VAMC and to community providers, concerning clinical assessment findings and appropriate treatment plans for patients.
10) Provides psychoeducation to patients, family members, and significant others.
Academic/Teaching/Training
1) Involved in the Psychology Training Program and Training Committee and may provide clinical supervision to psychology trainees at all levels of training.
2) Participates in and provides educational presentations to VA psychology trainees.
3) May be involved in the training of medical students, medical and psychiatric residents, nursing students, fellows, and other graduate or post-graduate trainees, as appropriate.
4) Participates in monthly psychologist and mental health all staff meetings.
5) Assumes responsibility for professional development by attending relevant training and regularly reviewing the literature to improve clinical competencies and meeting professional continuing education requirements to maintain competence and licensure.
Performs other duties as assigned
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Available
Retention Incentive: After 90 days of employment in this position, you may be authorized for a retention incentive.
EDRP Authorized: Contact VISN2EDRPCoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 21O73-A
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
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 1193.01, 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.
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.
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.
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, résumé, 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.
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 and meet the criteria).
References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/103 PART II APPENDIX G18, dated 02/07/2018
Creditable Experience
Current Professional Psychology Practice. To be creditable, psychological work experience can be obtained through paid or non-paid employment providing psychological work or through participating in a supervised postdoctoral psychology training program (i.e., fellowship or residency). Psychological work experience must have occurred after the doctoral degree was obtained and must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with current professional psychology practice. "Professional psychology practice" includes but is not limited to the following psychology-oriented job duties: providing professional clinical services, conducting research, carrying out education and training activities, carrying out program evaluation activities, clinical consultation, supervision and administration.
Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is post-doctoral experience as a professional psychologist directly related to the duties to be performed. Qualifying experience must also be at a level comparable to or exceeding professional psychology experience at the next lower level.
Part-time Experience. Part-time experience is creditable according to its relationship to a full-time workweek. For example, a psychologist employed 20 hours per week, or on a half time basis, would receive one full-time workweek of credit for each two weeks of service.
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.
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.
To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/07/2022 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/11532116.
Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.
NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/681140300. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise - "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?