Staff Psychologist

The incumbent provides psychological services to primarily Veterans enrolled in Home Based Primary Care (HBPC), including psychological assessment, diagnosis, brief cognitive evaluation, evidence-based psychological intervention, and treatment planning.

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Major Duties: Clinical Functions: Conduct screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders in Veterans primarily enrolled in HBPC, with particular attention to the clinical and functional needs of geriatric Veterans receiving care in the home. Administer, score, and review rating scales, questionnaires, and other measurement-based tools to assess emotional, behavioral, functional, and psychological conditions and to support Veteran-focused, individualized treatment planning within the HBPC plan of care. Administer and/or evaluate results of appropriate psychodiagnostic, intelligence, personality, and other psychological assessments and tests. Integrate interview data, assessment findings, observations, medical context, and information obtained through the home-based setting when diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. Administrative functions: Responsible for supporting the mission, policies, and procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the appropriate Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN), and the facility. Willing to serve on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility as deemed appropriate by the supervisor. Able to maintain a level of productivity and quality consistent with the complexity of the assignment and consistent with Office of Mental Health Operations. Work Schedule: Full Time; Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Adhoc Telework - VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 10419F, 10420F, 10421F EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

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 evaluation. 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.

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/.