Psychologist

About the role

The Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System (CAVHCS) is a consolidated health care system that includes VA Medical Centers in Montgomery and Tuskegee Alabama as well as Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC) in: Dothan Alabama, Ft. Rucker Alabama, Monroeville Alabama, Montgomery Alabama and Columbus Georgia.

What you will do

• Provides screening, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders, as well as other Axis I conditions, with an emphasis on the application of evidence-based psychotherapy approaches proven effective for the condition of focus and the population assigned.
• Performs psychological assessment and interpretation of results to inform treatment planning, as appropriate to the needs of the mental health program assigned.
• Provides screening for cognitive deficits to address specific functional questions or to determine if a referral for a complete neuropsychological evaluation or dementia assessment is needed.
• Participates fully in peer review, assessing the quality of professional psychology standards provided in the organization.
• Responsible for identification of patient problems requiring consultation with other multidisciplinary medical center staff and making appropriate referrals.
• Assures that appropriate referrals to specialty programs, including community resources, are accomplished.
• Promotes patient independence and achievement of optimal health through appropriate psychosocial education and community referrals.
• Participates fully in educational development through staff and section meetings.
• Providing and, where appropriate, referring patients, families and significant others for counseling in health maintenance and disease prevention.
• Assumes responsibility for professional development by attending relevant training and regularly reviewing the literature to improve clinical competencies.

Requirements

• Conditions for Employment U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointment when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy.
• 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.
• Applications who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/24/1959.
• 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 (*** identification 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).

Education

Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, 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 to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: ***

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or other supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully.

Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Documents you must provide

• To apply for this position, you must submit a C.V. and/or resume.
• Other documents may be requested later in the process if needed.

Benefits

None

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

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 on 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.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38 and are not covered by Schedule A except for 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 compliant process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.