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This is the full performance level for staff psychologists. At this level psychologist are licensed at the doctoral level to practice independently in the provision of psychological services consulting with peers and supervisors as appropriate. They are assigned to any VHA program and setting, including inpatient or outpatient medicine, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, geriatrics, Vet Centers, and the VHA National Center for Organizational Development. 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. b. Education(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: (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. [Psychologists who have successfully completed a re-specialization program as described above and who were employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs prior to the implementation of this standard are considered to have fully met the educational requirements of these qualification standards.] [OR (3) Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature. AND (4) 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[1]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.) OR (e) 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. NOTE: Psychologists who meet the requirements of this revision and who were employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs prior to the implementation of this standard are considered to have fully met the requirements of this qualification standard. Grade Determinations: GS-13 Psychologist Board Certification or Board Eligible - Licensed Psychologist with certification by the American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology (ABCN) or the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN). Meets the qualification standards for the Psychologist as defined in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G18. Experience: At least 2 years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 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 apply, professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations. 2. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health. 3. Knowledge of clinical research literature. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/103 PART II, APPENDIX G18 The full performance level of this vacancy is 13. Physical Requirements: Work is mostly sedentary and primarily performed in an office setting located at the Dayton VA Medical Center. Typical office work involves active listening, reading, observing, and evaluating verbal and nonverbal behavior, writing reports and clinical notes, writing policies and procedures, and speaking to groups of people as part of suicide prevention related trainings. The position requires the use of office equipment such as computers, keyboards, telephones, fax machines, and photocopy machines. Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity are required. The incumbent may potentially have long periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pushing, pulling and light lifting up to 35 pounds for items such as books, binders, reports, records and training materials. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable ofworking effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. The work can occur at an off-based workstation in coordination with the community partners. When work is performed in a setting away from the office, the work environment cannot be controlled. ["Benefits for Psychologists link: (https://www.vacareers.va.gov/Content/Documents/Print/VHAmarketing_TotalRewardsBrochure_external_11.9_508c.pdf) II.FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES:A. Clinical Responsibilities (90% of the time) Conducts neuropsychological examinations from all areas of the VAMC with an adult population, both male and female from ages 18-90, on consultation basis for cognitive disorders and/or neurological or psychiatric conditions including but not limited to mild neurocognitive disorder (mild cognitive impairment), major neurocognitive disorder (dementia), stroke, multiple sclerosis, seizure disorders, head injury, substance use, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and hydrocephalus. Provides, on a regular basis, psychoeducational feedback to patients and family members regarding any aspects of cognitive impairment and compensatory strategies required, during and after evaluations, by phone or by appointment. Provides supportive counsel to families of brain impaired individuals as needed by phone and by appointment. These services are provided on an outpatient basis primarily in the office setting. Performs psycho-diagnostic evaluations using numerous instruments including but not limited to those used for: mood, anxiety, personality, competency, psychopathology, intelligence and neuropsychological functioning. Provides as requested consultation to medical, psychiatric, neurological, and social work staff, physician assistant, nurses, administrative staff, students and interns on clinical or neuropsychological topic within their area of training and experience. Provides education to other hospital services as requested regarding neuropsychology/polytrauma patients, as requested. Functions independently as a member of the Dayton VAMC Medical Staff, with full clinical privileges. Assumes complete professional responsibility for his/her clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation. Provides education to patients, family members, and significant others, based on the psychologist's clinical findings and knowledge base. B. Administrative Responsibilities: (10% Time) Assists the program director or coordinator in the design, development, and implementation of clinical programs for a team of treatment providers. Participates in the Psychology Training Program for interns or practicum students. Assists the program director or coordinator in the execution of ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects to monitor the effectiveness of the clinical program. Facilities liaisons with other health care programs in order to effectively coordinate services. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. Telework: Ad hoc only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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