Details
Posted: 02-Aug-22
Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Salary: Open
Categories:
Psychology
Internal Number: 668641000
The Pittsburgh VAMC is seeking a full-time Clinical Psychologist. This position will be assigned to the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) section within the Behavioral Health Service Line. 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. 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 re-specialization program meeting both of the following conditions: a) the re-specialization 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. English Language Proficiency - Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements as stated above, you must have the following: GS-13 Level: At least 2 additional years of experience, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 level, as a professional psychologist that was obtained through employment as a psychologist or through participating in a supervised post-doctoral psychology training program that demonstrates 1) active professional practice that was paid/non-paid employment and/or 2) a full, current and unrestricted license. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics associated with current psychology practice: Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments to a 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 if it is post-doctoral degree experience as a professional psychologist directly related to the duties performed. Preferred Experience: Training and experience providing couples therapy, utilizing evidence-based approaches requiring expertise in interpersonal relationships with conceptualizations that are distinct from individually oriented therapies. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005, PART II, APPENDIX G18 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary, but requires use of fingers; both hands required; walking (up to 4 hours); sitting (up to 8 hours); near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; hearing (aid permitted); light lifting (under 15 pounds); mental and emotional stability. ["The Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Psychologist is administratively within the Behavioral Health Service Line, primarily located at the University Drive campus of the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The incumbent functions as part of an interdisciplinary mental health team, which consists of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, peer support specialists and clinical mental health pharmacists. The psychologist will treat Veterans within the outpatient clinic, practicing as a generalist and treating a wide variety of psychological disorders using individual, couple, and group modalities. Staff Psychologists diagnose mental disorders, conduct psychological assessments, treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities and provide adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical disorders. Among the modalities provided are individual, family, and group psychotherapies, and other interventions such as biofeedback, psychological hypnosis, and environmental interventions. They consult with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues. Staff psychologists may be involved in program evaluation and/or research activities. Staff psychologists may support the psychology internship through participation in seminars. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Diagnose mental disorders, conduct psychological or neuropsychological assessments. Provide a full range of psycho-diagnostic services including assessment and using the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques in providing quality care. Provide a full range of therapeutic interventions, including empirically supported treatments. Provides initial assessments, individual and group psychotherapy, treatment planning, consultation/referral, and crisis intervention for veterans in the outpatient mental health clinic. Treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities. Provides education to Veterans, family members, and significant others. Provides comprehensive, evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, including individual and family psychotherapy for Veterans with the BHIP. Provide adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical and mental disorders. Participation as an active treatment team member. Consult with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues. May be involved in program evaluation, teaching, training and research activities. Develops, implements, and documents the psychotherapeutic treatment plan for caseload of Veterans in BHIP, including prompt completion of clinical reminders. Functions independently as a member of the VHAPHS medical staff, with clinical privileges designated through a detailed Scope of Practice. Assumes professional responsibility for clinical assessment findings, Veteran care decisions, and documentation, under the supervision of the BHIP program manager. Facilitates liaisons with other health care programs in order to effectively coordinate services. Provides clinical supervision and instruction for psychology interns assigned to BHIP. Involved in Psychology Training Program and Committee, including facilitating or presenting to interns in venues such as case conferences and training seminars. Provides leadership guidance and consultation to staff assigned to BHIP, particularly in the area of diagnosis and treatment of Behavioral Health Veterans. Serves as a consultant to other BHIP staff and trainees and assists in their formulation of the psychological characteristics, and appropriate treatment expectations regarding Veterans with wide range of biopsychosocial problems and limitations. Serves on Medical Center or Healthcare System, VISN, and/or National VA committees or task forces. Represents Psychology on decision-making committees at the Medical Center or Healthcare System. Actively participates in leadership roles on local, state, and national professional organizations. Represents the Medical Center or Healthcare System at professional/program community group/events and committees. Perform other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday\nTelework: Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000 / Psychologist - BHIP\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: 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. 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. Learn more\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]