Clarification from the agency

Open to current VHA Employees. **This vacancy may be filled in Washington, DC or at a VA facility or other VA-leased space.**

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The Deputy Director of Health Professions Education (DD/HPE) reports directly to the Chief of Health Professions Education (C/HPE). The DD/HPE provides leadership, consultation, advice, and subject matter expertise in tasks, projects, and assignments related to health professions education, policy development, analysis, decision making, and implementation of activities affecting the VA health care system.

• Provides executive input into OAA's strategic planning, mission, operational planning, and policy development.
• Collaborates with health care executives in VHACO and the field in supporting the organization's mission and vision.
• Directs the integration of Health Professions Trainees (HPTs) into evidence- based practice, clinical practice models, health practice patterns, and related activities in the mutual development and achievement of organizational goals.
• Consults with VA medical facilities and staff nationwide on the oversight and enhancement of health professions education (HPE).
• Establishes and/or supports organizational structure(s) and mechanisms to address HPE issues.
• Serves as a leader for OAA staff and field-based program directors to create a work environment that facilitates and encourages critical thinking, conflict management, and problem- solving.
• Develops policies and procedures related to program implementation at the national and local levels based on national, professional, accreditation, VHA, and federal standards and regulations.

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

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part)

Education: (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)

(1) 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. 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. There are no job assignments in VHA that require the skills of a school psychologist; therefore, an applicant with a degree in the specialty area of school psychology is not eligible for appointment. Strictly for the purpose of determining eligibility for appointment as a psychologist in VHA, there is no distinction between the specialty areas (with the exception of school psychology).
OR
(2) 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: VA HANDBOOK 5005/87 June 6, 2016 PART II APPENDIX G18
(a) the re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and
(b) the specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.

NOTE: The applicant must provide an official transcript and/or certificate documenting the completion of the re-specialization program, which includes completion of an APA or CPA internship.
AND

(3) Internships
(a) 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
(b) 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
(c) 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
(d) 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.)

Licensure. 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. (Copy of licensure/certification must be submitted)

Board Certification and Loss of Credential:
(1) Board Certification. Persons hired to psychology positions in the VHA who completed an internship that was not accredited at the time the program was completed must be 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. The board certificate must be current and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirement for continuing education.

(2) Loss of Credential. Once board certified, psychologist must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted board certification to remain qualified for employment. A psychologist who fails to maintain the required board certification must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation if qualified and if a placement opportunity exists.

Grade Determinations:GS-15 Psychologist (National Manager). Psychologist National Managers at this level direct specific mental health, behavioral health, or other patient care, administrative or organizational development program or programs. The administrative or technical work is difficult in nature, and responsibilities are considerable. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: authority to determine long range work plans and assure that implementation of the goals and objectives are carried out; serve as consultants to other management officials at the field, VISN, or national level; serve as key program official, advisor and analyst for their programs of assignment; develop and implement their program's vision across VHA. Psychologist National Managers provide leadership, consultation, and operational guidance in compliance with established external agencies and policies and procedures within psychology service. They are responsible for the management and planning of national initiatives having a high degree of visibility and a significant impact on healthcare services and delivery. Examples include but are not limited to mental health or other clinical or administrative programs at the national level. The incumbent applies specialized knowledge of health care and management for planning, organizing and directing national initiatives in the care and treatment of Veterans, educational programs, program evaluation, quality assurance, and policy and procedure formulation. They develop national policy and procedures related to delivery of care including VHA directives, handbooks, manuals, standards, and criteria for the programs they are responsible for.

Experience. At least 3 years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-14 level.


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

1. Knowledge of and ability to communicate existing policies and regulations effectively.
2. Knowledge of and ability to utilize resource materials and to develop new materials when needed.
3. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with a diverse group of professional staff and management officials who are often at the highest management levels.
4. Ability to develop and recommend new or revised policies that are consistent with organizational goals and objectives.
5. Skill in leading senior management officials in policy development.
6. Ability to influence high level officials in adoption of and conformance to performance measures, monitors, and other policy guidelines.

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.