Psychologist (Education Debt Repayment and Sign on Bonus)

About the role

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This position has been approved for the Education Debt Repayment program and a Recruitment/relocation (sing on bonus) incentive.

What you will do

• There are NO Remote or Virtual work options for these positions.
• 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.
• Duties of this position may include, but are not limited to: Psychological assessment and consultation Psychological assessment may involve interviewing and/or testing of patients.
• The incumbent will be available to consult with other staff members and make recommendations of the types of psychological evaluations that would be beneficial.
• He/She will oversee the administration and scoring of psychological assessment procedures, interpretations and report the findings of the evaluation in the medical record in a timely fashion.
• He/She will assist in integrating the findings into the treatment plan for patients.
• Psychological treatment The incumbent conducts psychological and/or brief/basic neuropsychological assessments and can treat mental health problems in patients in an inpatient mental health care setting, applies principles/techniques of behavioral health to patients being treated for medical/mental health conditions, including assisting patients with improving health behaviors, smoking cessation, pain management, adherence to recommended treatments, managing chronic or terminal illness and assisting in or developing new therapy groups and practices.
• Research Although this is a clinical position, the incumbent psychologist has the opportunity to develop hypotheses and research designs and prepare or implement research programs on his/her own time.
• Individual research protocols must be submitted for approval to the Committee on the Protection of Human Subjects as well as the Medical Center's Research and Development Committee, and the local Investigational Review Board (IRB) (Ann Arbor).
• Outcome or other types of research-focused programming may be required by the Veterans Affairs Central Office (VACO) and official time will then be allocated as needed to complete any required research directives.
• Any VACO protocols will have been preapproved by a national IRB and can be implemented as soon as available.
• The psychologist may serve as a consultant to other staff members on their research projects and may be asked to collaborate with others under the same criteria noted above.
• The incumbent may be asked to present and/or share, any or all pertinent information, obtained in the educational activities noted above, that were supported in part or totally by the BCVAMC with other staff.
• Education and training The incumbent may provide clinical supervision to psychology students, including Postdoctoral Psychology residents or Psychology Interns in the American Psychological Association (APA) approved predoctoral internship at Battle Creek VAMC, if mutually agreed upon with the Service Chief.
• In addition, the psychologist may conduct seminars, case conferences or other educational meetings in his/her area/s of expertise.
• The incumbent interacts and works with clinicians from other disciplines as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team.
• The incumbent is skillful in interpersonal relationships including conflict resolution and the ability to work collaboratively with staff from other professions.
• The incumbent is responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the VAMC for veterans for whom the incumbent provides services.
• The psychologist will perform all other duties assigned by the Program Manager, Inpatient Mental Health, even though they may not be outlined above, as long as he or she can do so without violating ethical standards and are approved, credentialed and privileged by the PSB.
• Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:30pm.
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Approved for highly qualified candidates EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.
• Contact ***, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 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 probationary period trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application 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: ***

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: ***

How you will be evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

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

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• To complete your application, please use the following link *** to download the standard Clinical Resume Document.
• This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.
• Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.
• The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License More than 2 page resume/CV Professional Certification Resume Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: Veterans' preference does not apply to this occupation.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or 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. 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.