Staff Psychologist

About the role

The Intermittent Psychologist is located in the Minneapolis VA Health Care System (MVAHCS) and VISN 23's Comprehensive Pain Center (CPC) which is located within the Rehabilitation and Extended Care Integrate Care Community. The CPC is an Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Program offering varying levels of pain treatment, including our 4-week intensive program.

What you will do

• This is an OPEN CONTINOUS ANNOUNCEMENT.
• We are accepting applications on an ongoing basis; applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis, as long as the vacancy exists.
• Major duties include, but are not limited to: Clinical Responsibilities: Provides a full range of psychological assessment services and diagnoses mental disorders, particularly for complex or unusually difficult Veterans with co-morbid mental and physical health problems.
• Provides education to Veterans, family members, and significant others within the Pain Center.
• Consults with CPC professional staff, medical center staff, and VISN 23 referral sources concerning clinical assessment, appropriate treatment plans, behavioral plans, and discharge plans for Veterans.
• Provides consultation to other affiliated health care providers about treatment plans for Veterans, to ensure care is coordinated, collaborative and integrated within the overall care plan.
• Provides a full range of therapeutic interventions including individual, couple/family, group psychotherapy and psycho-educational groups (i.e. anger management, coping skills), as well as specialized interventions such as Biofeedback, CBT for chronic pain and treatment within the Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Program (CPRP).
• Uses evidence based interventions.
• Presents informed reports and educates interdisciplinary teams on the use of newly proven or evidence-based intervention techniques.
• Provides behavioral medicine interventions to manage pain, disability, address sleep problems, facilitate weight loss, promote tobacco cessation and enhance medical compliance.
• Has the ability to use interpersonal and communication skills in dealing with a wide variety of people in gaining their support.
• Presents with current skills, or willingness to learn and administer Biofeedback within the context of pain treatment.
• Develops, implements, and documents the psychotherapeutic treatment plan for Veterans served by the CPC.
• Academic/Teaching/Training: Provides leadership guidance and consultation to staff and trainees.
• Provides formal and informal education and guidance to external stakeholders (facility, VISN, and community) to enhance the evidence-based management of Veterans meeting criteria for the CPC.
• May be involved in the training of psychology practicum students, interns, and postdoctoral residents in coordination with the larger training programs and discipline supervisors.
• Identifies and facilitates continuing education training opportunities for staff members; establishes teamwork groups to study evidence-based practices; fosters research and may disseminate the results at major conferences or via journal submissions; and supports staff members during their grant submission process.
• May hold a faculty appointment.
• Research/Program Evaluation: May oversee the establishment of program monitors and outcome measurements within programs assigned using data-driven quality assurance processes.
• Is responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center or healthcare system, as appropriate.
• If applicable, plans and oversees the completion of personal research programs, designed to provide information regarding program planning and relevant treatment approaches.
• May present outcome data and research results at VA and regional or national scientific or professional meetings.
• Other Significant Responsibilities: Serves on Medical Center and committees or task forces as assigned.
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 08:00 to 16:30 Telework: Ad-Hoc only Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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 (***).
• 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.
• 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.

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: ***

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. Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: Current permanent VA employees of the facility. All other permanent VA employees.

Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies All other applicants. 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 (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Optional Responses to Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs are found in job announcement under Qualifications) Clinical Resume/CV (Can be greater than 2 pages) Proof of Marriage Status Resume SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

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 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.