Staff Psychologist – Home Based Primary Care

Summary

The psychologist will be a key member of the Home Based Primary Care interdisciplinary team providing outpatient psychological assessment and evidence-based psychotherapy to Veterans presenting with a broad spectrum of mental health diagnoses, including depressive disorders, anxiety/trauma-related conditions, and personality disorders. Care is delivered to homebound Veterans with complicated medical diagnoses either in the Veteran’s residence or using video telehealth (VVC) when appropriate.

Duties

VA Careers – Psychologist: https://youtube.com/embed/77qHlLw9Xck Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Functions Ability to diagnose mental health disorders by conducting psychological assessments to include clinical interviewing, objective and projective testing. Ability to treat mental health disorders through a variety of evidence-based psychotherapies and employ measurement-based care. Performs evaluations for Veterans with a variety of mood, anxiety, SMI and/or substance use issues, including the dually diagnosed. Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions (i.e., group and individual psychotherapy) and demonstrates competency in a least one evidence-based psychotherapy (e.g., Motivational Interviewing, Motivational Enhancement Therapy, CBT for Relapse, IPT, CBT and/or ACT for Depression). Provides prevention services/education to patients at significant risk for psychological problems. Provides services to the families of Veterans with dementia being served by HBPC, when such care is directly related to the overall treatment plan for the Veteran and will allow better care for the Veteran and allow the family to sustain the Veteran in the home environment. Provides behavioral interventions to manage pain, disability, address sleep problems, facilitate weight loss, promote smoking cessation, and enhance medical compliance. Consults with HBPC and other medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues. Academic/Teaching/Training May hold faculty appointment at an affiliated university. May provide training opportunities to various disciplines (PA students, Psychiatry Residents, Family Practice Residents, Nursing Students). May be asked to participate in the Psychology Training Program and Training Committee. May serve as a consultant to other medical center staff and trainees and assist in their formulation of the psychological characteristics and appropriate treatment expectations regarding their patients (mostly in Mental Health). Research/Program Evaluation Assists in establishing program monitors and outcome measurements within programs assigned using a data-driven quality assurance processes. Is responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the ACC, as appropriate. If applicable, plans and oversees the completion of personal research programs, designed to provide information regarding program planning and relevant treatment approaches. Presents outcome data and research results at VA and regional or national scientific or professional meetings. Assists in preparation of RFP’s and grant proposals, as assigned. Other Significant Responsibilities May serves on Medical Center or Healthcare System, VISN, and/or National VA committees or task forces. May represents psychology on decision-making committees at the Medical Center or Healthcare System. Attend required meetings in MH/BSS. Attend treatment team meetings as assigned up to 5% of time. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Lacey.Adkins2@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Available (Ad-hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 93673-A/93674-A/93675-A

Requirements

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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the “Required Documents” section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

How You Will Be Evaluated

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.

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume Transcript Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted ‘Resume’ document upload field. Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the ‘Other’ document upload field. The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50’s (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Other (1) Other (2) Other (3) Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript