Summary Provides evidence-based interventions to help HBPC patients manage behavioral factors associated with behavioral medicine problems and to promote medical compliance. This The psychologist for whom this functional statement applies is under the MH&BSS and is assigned to Home Based Primary Care (HBPC). Duties include providing a full range of psychological services . Responsibilities Clinical responsibilities (85% time) as assigned by Chief of Psychology: Provides a full range of psychological assessment services and diagnoses mental disorders, for particularly complex or unusually difficult patients. The incumbent provides services to patients with multiple chronic medical problems and geriatric patients needing long-term care services in their home (followed in the HBPC program) or who are in the geriatric extended care program. Provides education to patients, caregivers, HBPC team members, and/or community partners. Provides comprehensive, evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, including individual, family, and group psychotherapy. Provides psychological services to patients in the HBPC team including screening for cognitive and psychological disorders, psychological, cognitive, and capacity assessments, psychotherapy, and prevention-oriented services tailored for chronically ill and/or older adults. Provides neuropsychological screening and cognitive testing to address specific questions regarding level of cognitive function and need for more specialized neuropsychological assessment. Communicates clinical assessment findings and develops appropriate treatment plans for the patients in his/her care in the HBPC/Geriatric Extended Care (GEC) program. Develops, implements, and documents the psychotherapeutic treatment plan for an assigned caseload of patients, including prompt completion of clinical reminders. Functions independently as a member of the West Palm Beach VAMC Medical Staff, with full clinical privileges. The incumbent assumes complete professional responsibility for his clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation. Ability to appropriately consult with and/or refer to other disciplines for treatment outside purview and expertise of professional psychologist. Consults with and serves as a resource for other professional personnel concerning the need for, evaluation of, and development of psychological services. Functions independently as a member of the West Palm Beach VAMC Medical Staff, with full clinical privileges. The incumbent assumes complete professional responsibility for his/her clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation. May be asked to assist in the selection, training, and supervision of staff at lower grade. hold and maintain a current and valid State Motor Vehicle Operators permit. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00Am-4:30PM Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 40834F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Yes, Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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. Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship Education: (1) Have a doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. AND (2) Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that has been accredited by APA. Exceptions: (1) 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 Central Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an intern and (2) VHA facilities who offered full one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre-1979) are considered to be acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement. 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 Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. 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. The GS-13 KSA's for this subject position are; At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. 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. The full performance of this announcement is GS-13. Experience: See grade levels for experience References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G18. Physical Requirements: Light lifting, under 15 lbs.; Light carrying, under 15 lbs.; Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking, Standing; Both legs required; Hearing (aid permitted). Education 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
