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 Basic Requirements Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Regulations. 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 respecialization program (including documentation of an approved internship completed as part of the respecialization 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. OR (3) Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature. 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-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. 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. Licensure. 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 Regulations. Grade Requirements Staff Psychologist, GS-12 (Developmental Level) Experience. At least one year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Psychologists who are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist but with less intense supervision than at the GS-11 grade level. Assignment. Staff psychologists at this level diagnose mental disorders, conduct psychological or neuropsychological assessments, treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities, provide adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical disorders and may conduct research. They may be assigned to any program area. Staff Psychologist, GS-13 (Full Performance, Level) Experience. At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Assignment. This is the full performance level for staff psychologists. At this level, psychologists are licensed to practice independently in the provision of psychological services, consulting with peers and supervisors as appropriate. They may be assigned to any VHA program and setting, such as inpatient or outpatient medicine, primary care, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, geriatrics, Compensation and Pension, Vet Centers, and the VHA National Center for Organization Development. Psychologists diagnose mental disorders, conduct psychological or neuropsychological 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 behavioral health and community interventions. Psychologists consult with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues. Staff psychologists may be involved in program evaluation, teaching, training, and research activities. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/103, Part II, Appendix G18, Psychologist Qualification Standard. Available in the Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12 to GS-13. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. The employee may sit comfortably in an office or clinic to perform the work. However, there may be some walking, standing, stooping, bending, and carrying light items such as papers, books, etc. It may require some lifting (10-20 lbs.) occasionally. Reaching above shoulder; Frequent keyboarding (4-7 hours per day); Sitting (4-7 hours per day); Walking up to 6 hours per day); Standing (up to 8 hours per day); Infrequent climbing/descending of stairs; Some bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Correctable near sighted and far-sighted vision; Hearing (Aid permitted). The incumbent will be required to make site/home visits on a routine basis, which may require driving. The incumbent must possess a valid state driver's license. ["Due to the nature of this position, a fully licensed provider is needed and this position will only be filled at the GS-12 or GS-13 grade levels. Clinical Responsibilities - 85% Participates in the determination of the appropriateness of patients for admission to the HBPC Program. Assesses the patient's continuing need for HBPC care and plan for HBPC discharge when indicated. Participates in interdisciplinary care meetings and the development and implementation of the individual plan of care for assigned panel of patients, to include through home visits or Telehealth as indicated. Provides evaluations related to cognitive deficits and performing capacity assessments when there are questions related to a patient's ability to make medical decisions, perform other specific functions, or live independently. Provides behavioral/motivational interventions to manage pain, disability, sleep problems, facilitate weight management, promote smoking cessation and improved adherence to medical plan of care. Provides services to the caregivers of patients when such care is related to the patient's overall plan of care. Assesses and supports the caregiver's capability to continue to provide care. Collaborates with the team in suicide risk assessment, management, and prevention activities, as well as assessment and management of other behavioral safety concerns including elder abuse or neglect, domestic violence, or other behaviors putting Veterans or caregivers at risk of harm. Conducts appropriate clinical reviews or conduct assessments in the home to develop treatment goals and plans based on comprehensive interdisciplinary assessment of the patient and the caregiver. Reviews the progress toward goals at regular intervals, as a team, on a quarterly basis, or more frequently when there is a change in the patient's condition. Coordinates the process of care with the other team members to maximize efficiency and improve clinical outcomes. Documents all patient care activities in a timely manner, defined by local policies. Academic/Teaching/Training - 5% Involved in Psychology Training Programs, Service Line Committees, Department Committees and/or medical center Committees. Provides leadership guidance and consultation to staffs of units to which assigned. Involved in the training of graduate trainees, as appropriate. Serves 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. Identifies areas for continuing education and participate in training activities. Instructs students of various disciplines in providing successful home care and addressing the challenges encountered in delivering health care in the home setting. Providing teaching and support to the HBPC interdisciplinary team so that all team members may collaborate to address behavioral and mental health concerns as part of the plan of care. Program Evaluation/Research - 5% Is responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center or healthcare system, as appropriate. Plans and oversees the completion of process improvement and/or research programs, designed to provide information regarding program planning and relevant treatment approaches. Presents outcome data and research results at medical center, VA, regional or national scientific or professional meetings. Improve overall patient care through planned, systematic measurement/monitoring and assessment of patient care outcomes, staff practice, and on-going review of those systems and processes that affect staff performance and patient care. Other Significant Responsibilities - 5% 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, as assigned. Actively participates in leadership roles on local, state, and national professional organizations. Participate in the development of a local manual of SOP's that define and govern the clinical and administrative aspects of the program. Responsible for maintaining continuing education requirements for licensure and/or certification in addition to mandatory VHA education requirements. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Subject to change based on the needs of the agency.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Psychologist (Home Based Primary Care)/FS #000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Contact Tonya.Searby@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]