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Psychologist (Service Chief)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
This job announcement has closed

Summary

You could be part of an important initiative to provide mental health care for our nations Veterans! The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) needs mental health professionals who possess the energy, compassion, and commitment to serve those who serve our Country. Whatever the job title, every position in VA will give you a chance to make a meaningful and personal contribution to the lives of truly special and deserving people - our Veterans. America's Veterans need you!

Overview

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Job canceled
Open date: 02/26/2020
Closed date: 03/11/2020
Location
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$120,563 - $156,730 per year

Positions in Alaska receive a tax-free Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) in addition to the base salary (currently 2.86% but subject to change).

Pay scale & grade
GS 14
Promotion potential
14
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-Time
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Other
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Announcement number
CBSV-10727737-20-SO
Control number
560830500

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Duties

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The Supervisory Psychologist will provide 70% clinical activity in addition to 30% administrative oversight of the Psychology staff and Psychology Internship program. Supervisory Psychologist will be assigned to Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health (ACOS). The Supervisory Psychologist will independently provide psychological services at all levels of complexity and consult with peer.; and supervisors as appropriate. Administratively, the Psychologist has basthe responsibility for providing and ensuringquality direction, clinical oversight, leadership, and organizational stewardship for Psychology Services within the Alaska VA Healthcare System. Clinically, the Psychologist will have responsibility for providing the full range of psychological services and provision of Evidence Based Therapies approved by the VA for Veteran Care.

The Psychologist applies advanced professional psychological diagnostic methods and evidence-based intervention strategies to a full range of patient problems in his/her work setting. He/she bas advanced knowledge of psychological diagnosis, intervention, and behavioral health that qualifies him/her to provide advice and consultation to professionals representing a variety of disciplines. The incumbent must possess the ability to provide quality evidence based patient care and supervision of all Psychological services to include the provision of direct psychological patient care. consultation services on difficult or complex. cases, and education of staff and trainee supervision. Specific duties include the following functions: (1) psychological assessment/intake and consultation; (2) psychological treatment including individual, couples, family and group psychotherapy; (3) ability to create and implement Veteran centered treatment planning and documentation of care; (4) education and training; (5) Supervision of the Psychologists assigned within the Alaska VA Healthcare System.

He or she will help with development of position descriptions and competencies for the Alaska VA Healthcare System Psychologists. He or she develops and completes performance standards and appraisals for the clinic Psychologists. He or she will address grievances, apply disciplinary policies and nominate incentive awards in all matters concerning Psychology staff members. He or she will orient all new Psychology staff and trainees. Incumbent defines the mission and vision of psychological services with the ACOS of MH, develops the scope of practice for Psychologists and ensures efficient operation of all Psychological Services. He/she must have skill working collaboratively with other disciplines and supervisors. ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlines. The Psychologist will have knowledge of and ability to utilize appropriate evidence-based practices, clinical practice guidelines, and the ability to guide staff in using these tools. The incumbent will have skill in managing/directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives, and ability to adapt work operations to changes in programs, staffing and budget requirements. He/she must have skill working collaboratively with other disciplines and supervisors. ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlines. The Psychologist will have knowledge of and ability to utilize appropriate evidence-based practices, clinical practice guidelines, and the ability to guide staff in using these tools.

The Psychologist will participate in wider-range and higher-level management functions for the Psychology Service through participation and planning in operational boards, councils and committees as assigned or as needed. He or she will develop and maintain continuing programs in the area of organizational improvement, continuing education and other quality improvement activities. He or she will be a member, and the facility representative to the Association of VA Psychology Leaders. He or she will participate in the screening of new applicants for positions within the Psychology Service, and will provide specific direction and a primary role in the recruitment of Psychologists or staff assigned.

Supervisory Psychologist will be responsible for the quality. integrity and implementation of the Psychology Internship Program, Psychology interns, trainees and/or practicum students may be placed under the supervision of the Psychologist for training in psychological assessments, consultation. treatment and research.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
  • Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period
  • Subject to a background/security investigation
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process
  • Must possess and maintain a current and valid state issued drivers license

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 03/11/2020.
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 respecialization program meeting both of the following conditions: a) the respecialization 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 96-151 (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. 7405 (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.

Experience: In additional to meeting the basic requirements as stated above, you must have the following:

GS-14 Psychologist (Service Chief):

Experience.
At least 3 years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-13.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlines.
2. Knowledge of and ability to utilize evidence based practices and clinical practice guidelines appropriately and ability to guide staff in using these tools.
3. Ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view.
4. Skill in managing and directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives.
5. Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations.
6. Ability to establish and monitor production and performance priorities and standards.
7. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program.

*Experience is only creditable if it is post-doctoral degree experience as a professional psychologist directly related to the duties performed.

Reference: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G18 Psychologist Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

Physical Requirements: Work requires extreme patience and ability to control emotions while working with a challenging clinical population of chronically and persistently mentally ill and substance-abusing clients. Work may require using appropriate techniques to physically restrain clients who present a danger to self or others. Work also requires sitting, walking, standing, carrying light items such as books, papers, and files.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-14 .

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: 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.

Additional information

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

This is a random drug testing position.

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

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.

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.

If you are unable to apply online, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will recommend grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.

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.

Veterans Health Administration

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?

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) needs employees who possess the energy, compassion, and commitment to serve those who served our Country. Whatever the job title, every position in VA will give you a chance to make a meaningful and personal contribution to the lives of truly special and deserving people - our Veterans. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities. Working for VA is one of the most emotionally satisfying and professionally rewarding ways to dedicate the best within you to your Country's service.

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries. The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE").

Agency contact information

Susan Oliver
Phone
907-375-2132
Email
susan.oliver@va.gov
Address
Anchorage VA Medical Center
1201 North Muldoon Road
Anchorage, AK 99504
US

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