About this role
Job Summary
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.
Qualifications
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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English Education: Must 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. OR, have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully completed are specialization program meeting both of the following conditions:
- a) specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and
- b) specialty in which you were retrained is consistent with the assignment you are am applying for; OR, have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.
See Education below Licensure: Candidates must 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. Exception: Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment as a "graduate psychologist" at the GS-11 or GS-12 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 (c)(2)(B) for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that such a psychologist provide care only under the supervision of a psychologist who is licensed.
Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. Internship: 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. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
Grade Determinations: GS-11 Level: no additional experience beyond the basic requirement. GS-12 Level: at least 1 full year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the GS-11 level Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations. Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies. Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures.
Ability to conduct research activities, such as designing and implementing clinical research projects (staff psychologists with specified research job duties). Ability to perform basic research tasks of scholarship and research execution within the context of an established research team, including research participant relations, research documentation, data acquisition, maintenance, and collaboration. GS-13 Level: At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level.
- 1) active professional practice that was paid/non-paid employment and/or
- 2) a full, current and unrestricted license.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. Experience is only creditable if it is post-doctoral experience as a professional psychologist directly related to the duties to be performed.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Preferred Experience: Therapy outpatient setting. The full performance level of this vacancy is 13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 11 to 13. Physical
Requirements
Frequently required to stand, walk, bend, climb stairs, push, lift light materials, and reach with hands and arms while performing job duties. Must have good manual dexterity and keyboarding skills. Must demonstrate emotional stability. Must be able to communicate efficiently by expressing or exchanging ideas using spoken communication. Must be able to work in an environment with constant noise, work closely with others, and work alone when necessary. Must be able to utilize, view, and read information on computer screens; operate a pager; and operate required phone equipment.
Major Duties
- Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Mental Health Clinic (MHC) BHIP Psychologist provides psychology services to Veterans receiving care in the outpatient MHC in Shelbyville, IN.
- Clinical Responsibilities 1.Provides evidence-based counseling and/or psychological services to individuals, couples, and families in collaboration with multidisciplinary mental health staff to serve Veterans as needed or assigned.
- 2.Provides group psychotherapy for veterans seeking mental health treatment.
- 3.Conducts psychological testing.
- 4.Consults with medical center staff on a wide variety of topics.
- 5.Willingly accepts additional and special assignments that are necessary to meet program goals or Veterans' needs.
- 6.Completes all clinical charting and documentation required by the medical center or healthcare system in a timely and accurate manner.
- Other Responsibilities: 1.May serve on assigned mental health committees or task forces.
- 2.May serve as a supervisor for interns or practicum students.
- 3.Represents the Medical Center at professional/program community group/events and committees as an MHC representative.
- 4.Participates in ongoing performance improvement initiatives within the MH Cor Psychiatry Service.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92037-0, 92038-0, 92039-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
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.