[Hiring] Psychologist @San Francisco VA Medical Center

Role Description

The Psychologist Clinical Resource Hub (CRH) Suicide Prevention Clinical Telehealth Program position is a repository of clinical and administrative staff that serves Veterans Affairs facilities within the Veterans Integrated System Network (VISN). The Suicide Prevention National Telehealth Program is expected to provide outpatient, evidence-based, suicide prevention psychotherapy services. Services provided by the Suicide Prevention National Telehealth Program staff are conducted virtually, and Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT).

• Possess strong clinical skills to provide treatment for mental health disorders relevant to Veterans at risk for suicide.
• Provides assessment and referral, intake/diagnostic and psychosocial assessments, comprehensive treatment planning, and evidence-based psychotherapy services in a manner consistent with established protocols.
• Works closely with the Substance Abuse Treatment Program, Suicide Prevention facility-based teams, and other Behavioral Health services to ensure a seamless transition to appropriate services for Veterans.

Clinical Functions:

• Reviews the medical record and previous psychosocial assessments.
• Completes an assessment of current symptoms/functioning/needs and provides a thorough treatment plan.
• Provides evidence-based suicide prevention psychotherapies and interventions (e.g. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Suicide Prevention, Advanced Safety Planning, Problem Solving Therapy for Suicide Prevention, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy).

Major Duties:

• Works with Veterans and their families who are experiencing a wide range of complicated medical, psychiatric, emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial problems within the context of suicide risk.
• Completes a current psychosocial assessment to determine the psychosocial functioning.
• Participates as a member of a Suicide Prevention National Telehealth Program treatment team and engages in active collaboration with Veterans and family.
• Knowledge of current literature and experience in use of mental health and substance abuse diagnoses and treatment procedures.
• Serves as a liaison between Veterans and their families and VA and community resources to ensure thorough delivery of suicide prevention-related services.
• Possesses knowledge and ability to independently implement treatment modalities and to provide counseling and/or skills groups.
• Provides consultation to other treatment team and staff members regarding psychosocial needs.
• Assists in referral arrangements for transfer to a psychiatric facility for inpatient care.
• Responsible for supporting the mission, policies, and procedures of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
• Serves on committees and work groups, as deemed appropriate by the supervisor, and attends all required meetings.
• Demonstrates knowledge and skill in the use of software applications for drafting documents and data management as well as other computer systems in use by the VHA.
• Maintains a level of productivity and quality consistent with the complexity of the assignment and consistent with professional standards, Joint Commission standards.
• Documents in the Veteran's electronic medical record and completes.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. PST

Telework: Not available; Remote position

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 11689-F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact: [email protected] , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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: Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.
• Education: 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.
• OR Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully complete a re-specialization program.
• OR Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.
• Internship: Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that was accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed.
• Licensure: 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.

Requirements

• Staff Psychologist, GS-11 (Entry Level): Experience. None beyond basic requirements.
• Staff Psychologist, GS-12 (Developmental Level): At least one year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11).
• Staff Psychologist, GS-13 (Full Performance Level): At least 2 years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 level.

Benefits

• This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.
• 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.

Physical Requirements

• This position requires visual acuity, adequate auditory perception, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.
• This position requires potentially extended periods of computer use, virtual care equipment use, sitting and/or standing.
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.
• The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and able to shift priorities based on patient needs.
• Must meet Employee Health mandates as a condition of employment.