Staff Psychologist

Summary

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. Program 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.

Duties

• This Staff Psychologist position is in Mental Health services at the VA White River Junction Healthcare System located at the Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Rutland, Vermont OR Littleton, New Hampshire.
• Salary Range for Duty Station Selection: Rutland, Vermont: $74,678 – $138,370 Littleton, New Hampshire: $84,579 – $156,715 VA Careers – Psychologist: https://youtube.com/embed/77qHlLw9Xck Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The psychologist will be a member of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) team located in the General Mental Health (GMH) Clinic.
• The psychologist will provide integrated services for veterans diagnosed with a Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and other psychiatric co-morbidities (including Affective and Anxiety Disorders) who are seeking care in the GMH Clinic and serve as the liaison between the GMH Clinic and SUD programs.
• The GMH-SUD psychologist will provide direct clinical services including consultation, diagnostic assessment, risk assessment, evidence based individual and group psychotherapy, and treatment planning.
• The psychologist will also provide supervision and training of students (e.g., pre-doctoral interns, post-doctoral fellows, and psychiatry residents) as needed.
• The psychologist may also assist in psychiatric coverage of the Urgent Care Clinic.
• The psychologist complies with national and local performance measures, including timely screening and documentation requirements, and participates in various service, committee, and departmental meetings.
• Duties include but are not limited to: Provides a full range of therapeutic services and interventions in the General Mental Health Clinic, including psychiatric assessments and individual, and group psychotherapy.
• Selects and provides the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques in providing quality care, including evidence-based care for substance use disorders and co-occurring psychiatric disorders.
• Completes intakes and makes appropriate treatment recommendations based on these interviews.
• Contributes to clinical service activities (e.g., urgent care, police evaluations, compensation and pension evaluations), as requested.
• Attends GMH/BHIP treatment team meetings and serves as a consultant to other treatment providers including those in the specialty programs for veterans with SUD.
• Completes administrative functions, including report and progress note writing, and attending staff and organizational meetings.
• Keeps informed regarding treatment and outcome research development in the areas of substance use and mental health (including Affective and Anxiety Disorders), and assists in the implementation or modification of existing treatments based on developments in these areas of practice.
• Answers clinic consults, coordinates patient care, and assists with tracking clinic data.
• Responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by local and national guidelines.
• Participates in recruitment activities for the psychology internship and fellowship training programs (e.g., application review, interviewing, and applicant selection). e.
• Serves as a consultant to other medical and mental health staff and trainees on issues related to addiction.
• Performs additional duties as assigned.
• Work Schedule: Full-Time, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: F04883 for GS-11, F04884 for GS-12, and F04882 for GS-13.
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
• Contact Hannah Neilson at hannah.neilson@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).
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

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

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

Required Documents

Prepare the documents below before applying. Always confirm the exact requirements on the official announcement, since they vary by position:

• 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.
• Résumé Reminder: Your résumé must include the following information each job listed: Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible) Month & year start/end dates (e.g.
• June 2007 to April 2008) Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week).
• Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your résumé.
• Be sure that your résumé clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.
• 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) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript