Staff Psychologist - Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI)

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.

Qualifications:

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship
• English Language Proficiency
• Education - 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 are specialization program meeting both of the following conditions:
    • a) specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and
    • b) 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.***See Education below
• 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:
  • GS-11 Level: no additional experience beyond the basic requirement
  • GS-12 Level: at least 1 full year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the GS-11 level
    • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
      • Knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations.
      • Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies.
      • Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures.
      • Ability to conduct research activities, such as designing and implementing clinical research projects (staff psychologists with specified research job duties).
      • Ability to perform basic research tasks of scholarship and research execution within the context of an established research team, including research participant relations, research documentation, data acquisition, maintenance, and collaboration.
• • GS-13 Level: At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. 1) active professional practice that was paid/non-paid employment and/or 2) a full, current and unrestricted license.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
    • Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations.
    • Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health.
    • Knowledge of clinical research literature.

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

Preferred Experience: Primary Care Mental Health experience and/or behavioral medicine experience.

The full performance level of this position if selected as Psychologist is GS 13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 11 to GS 13

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Reference: Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Walking, standing, bending, lifting, periods of sitting

Whole Health Statement
VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Responsibilities:

Duties:

• The psychologist functions as part of an interdisciplinary primary care team, serving primary care providers, and allied Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) members. The psychologist will provide services for a wide range of concerns, resolving problems within the primary care service context. behavioral health visits are brief (generally 20-30 minutes), limited in number (avg. 2-3 visits), and are provided in the primary care practice area, structured so that the patient views meeting with the team psychologist as a routine primary care service. The psychologist functions within fast-paced primary care teams and can expect to provide a variety of services for on average 5-8 patients per day in addition to consulting as needed with their PACT team members. The primary goals are assisting PACT team members with identification, treatment, and management of mental health and behavioral medicine conditions in the enrolled population.
• The incumbent PCMHI psychologist provides brief functional assessments using assigned templates, brief intervention, education, and consultative services regarding a wide range of mental health and behavioral medicine concerns, upon referral from primary care providers and allied PACT members. The incumbent PCMHI psychologist provides brief, time limited mental health and behavioral interventions face-to-face, via telephone and via telehealth. The incumbent PCMHI psychologists see patients for an average of 2 to 4 sessions for a broad range of concerns including, but not limited to, mild to moderate depression and anxiety, grief/bereavement, pain, tobacco cessation, alcohol misuse, weight management, coping with chronic illness, stress management, sleep, relaxation training, non-adherence to treatment and other interventions will be provided as clinically appropriate, based on patient need.
• The incumbent PCMHI psychologist uses population based practice management strategies to include conducting brief assessments, based on 30-minute appointments, referring to Mental Health care services as appropriate, and using brief screening tools to track progress and inform care routinely (e.g., PHQ-9, PCL, AUDIT C, etc.). The incumbent PCMHI psychologist provides education to PACT members on behavioral health issues as well as consultation on tips for successful care management, even when there is no direct patient contact. Typical shift will match the primary care clinic's hours (e.g., 0730-1600 or 0800-1630), though occasional evening and Saturday hours (0800 to noon) may be required. When properly credentialed and licensed, the incumbent will operate independently in all areas, consulting with peers and supervisors when warranted.
• The incumbent psychologist will 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 her/his patients.
• The incumbent PCMHI psychologist will perform others duties as requested or assigned.

Work Schedule:

• Full Time
• 0730-1600 or 0800-1630

Telework: Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
EDRP Authorized: Contact VISN10HREDRPSLRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required


Psychologist: vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Total-Rewards-of-a-Psychology-Career-Flyer.pdf

Salary : $76,261