Psychologist (Telehealth Hub) at Boise

JOB SUMMARY:

The Boise VAMC is currently recruiting for a Psychologist (TeleHealth Hub) position to work in Psychology Service.  This position is working 24 hours per bi-weekly pay period.

Vacancy Identification Number (VIN) 962920

Note:  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-11 to GS-13.  The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate’s education and experience and recommend the grade and step at which the candidate will be placed.  The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate.

 

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincolns promise – "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" – by serving and honoring the men and women who are Americas Veterans.

 

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.Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Incentives will not be authorized for this position.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Must pass pre-employment examination
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required
• Background and-or Security Investigation required
• Full, current and unrestricted licensure.
• Must possess a valid drivers license.

DUTIES:Back to top

Primary duties are to provide Mental Health Care via the use of Tele Technology as part of a Primary Care PACT team that provides TeleHealth to VISN 20 Facilities. The incumbent will primarily provide brief psychological interventions but, as appropriate, will also provide Evidence Based Psychotherapies and other psychological interventions. The position is located at the Boise VA campus. Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately. Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data. Protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc. shall conform to all VHA and local directives related to safety, life safety, health, hazardous materials and emergency management directives. Provides age-specific care that is appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, cultural, and chronological maturation needs of the patient. Demonstrates knowledge of changes associated with aging and principles of growth and development relevant to the adult and geriatric age groups.

Work Schedule: Part time, 24 hours bi-weekly, schedule to be determined.

Position Description: (Title/PD): Psychologist (VISN Primary Care/PACT TeleHealth Hub) / FS - 0231 00

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:Back to top

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: 

• U.S. Citizenship: Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 
• Education: 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
  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, Commonwealth of the United States (e.g., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia.
  Exception.  The Secretary may waive the requirement of licensure for an individual psychologist for a period not to exceed 2 years from the date of employment on the condition that such a psychologist provide care only under the supervision of a psychologist who is so licensed.  Non-licensed psychologists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate psychologist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a) (1) (D).  Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment.  This may result in termination of employment. 
  Loss of Credential.  An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain licensure/certification/registration within the required time frame, or who fails to maintain the required licensure/certification/registration must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. 
  For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) at all grade levels, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists.  For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the full-performance level only, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both of the following apply:  the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists.”
• Physical Requirements: Traveling throughout the medical center, the incumbent is required to perform activities involving sitting, walking, and standing, bending and carrying such items as books, papers, and files.
• English Language Proficiency:  Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS:
In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:
GS-11
(a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
(b) Assignment. Staff psychologists at this level diagnose mental disorders, conduct psychological and/or neuropsychological assessments, treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities, and provide adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical disorders. They practice under the close supervision of a licensed psychologist.
GS-12
(a) Experience. In addition to the basic requirements at the GS-11 level, at least 1 year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level. Individuals assigned as GS-12 psychologists may be in the process of obtaining licensure at the independent practice level. If unlicensed, the individual must be supervised by a licensed psychologist and the experience and supervision must meet the standards for psychology licensure.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of, and ability to apply, a wide range of professional psychological theories and assessment methods to a variety of patient populations. 2. Ability to develop coherent treatment strategies. 3. Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures. (c) Assignment. At the GS-12 level, unlicensed psychologists practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist, but with less need for consultation than at the GS-11 grade level. They may be assigned to any program area.
GS-13
(a) Licensure. Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (e.g., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia.
(b) Experience. In addition to the experience requirements at the GS-12 level, at least 1 additional year of experience as a psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of, and ability to apply, advanced professional psychological theories and techniques 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. 4. For supervisory assignments a. Ability to provide supervision in areas related to behavioral health and social services provision in order to accomplish the organizational goals and objectives. b. Ability to provide fair, principled and decisive leadership for a work environment that promotes shared accountability.
(d) Assignments. This is the full performance level for staff psychologists. At this level psychologists 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.
References: VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II Appendix G18 (Psychologist Qualification Standards): http://vaww1.va.gov/ohrm/directives-handbooks/direct_hand.htm

PLEASE NOTE:  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.)  Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly.  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.

Veterans Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) and/or documentation related to your active duty service which shows dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation.

Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veterans Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.  For more information, please review the information for disabled Veterans in the application checklist or visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified.  Please follow all instructions carefully.  Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Country: USA, State: Idaho, City: Boise, Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration.