Details
Posted: 31-Jul-22
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Salary: Open
Internal Number: 654973300
The incumbent reports to the BHIP Program Coordinator, who in turn is under the direct supervision of the Mental Health Outpatient Section Chief. The incumbent practices independently, using professional judgment and expertise to perform duties with guidance provided within professional standards. 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. Education (1) 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. For the purpose of meeting this requirement, the term "specialty area" refers to the specific specialty areas recognized by the accrediting body and not to specific job duties that might require special skills. Currently, APA accredits doctoral programs in the specialty areas of clinical psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology, or combinations of two or more of those areas. PCSAS accredits doctoral programs in psychological clinical science. CPA accredits doctoral programs in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, clinical neuropsychology, and school psychology. There are no job assignments in VHA that require the skills of a school psychologist; therefore, an applicant with a degree in the specialty area of school psychology is not eligible for appointment. Strictly for the purpose of determining eligibility for appointment as a psychologist in VHA, there is no distinction between the specialty areas (with the exception of school psychology). OR, (2) Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully complete a re-specialization program (including documentation of an approved internship completed as part of the re-specialization program) meeting both of the following conditions: (a) The re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and, (b) the specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. OR, (3) Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature. AND, Internships: (a) 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. OR, (b) New VHA psychology internship programs that are in the process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement, provided that such programs were sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an intern; OR, (c) VHA facilities that offered full-time, one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre1979) are considered to be acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement; OR, (d) Applicants who completed an internship that was not accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed may be considered eligible for hire only if they are currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. (NOTE: Once board certified, the employee is required to maintain board certification.) OR, (e) Applicants who have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature may fulfill this internship requirement by having the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience in a site specifically acceptable to the candidate's doctoral program. If the internship experience is not noted on the applicant's official transcript, the applicant must provide a statement from the doctoral program verifying that the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience was completed in a site acceptable to the doctoral program. 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. 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. 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: Psychology Program Manager, GS-14 Experience. At least three years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-13 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlines. Knowledge of and ability to utilize evidence based practices and clinical practice guidelines appropriately and ability to guide staff in using these tools. Ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view. Skill in managing and directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives. Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations. Ability to establish and monitor production and performance priorities and standards. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program. Preferred Experience: Experience with mental health management, supervision, and program coordination. Experience with time-limited evidence-based practice psychotherapy protocols and psychological testing. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II appendix G18, Psychologist Qualification Standards, GS-180, Veterans Health Administration. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary with prolonged periods of sitting. The work requires moderate lifting, carrying, pushing, standing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; ability to read without strain; ability to hear the whispered voice with or without hearing aid; emotional & mental stability. ["***Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for highly qualified candidates*** Duties include, but are not limited to: The incumbent has direct oversight and responsibility for the functioning of one Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) Team within the outpatient mental health clinic. The incumbent is responsible for the day-to-day oversight and functioning of the program, as well as long-term outcome evaluation and efficiency. This includes attending program meetings and solving problems which arise within and outside of the BHIP section of the Mental Health Service, as well as recruiting qualified staff to participate in interviewing, selection and orientation. BHIP consists of several multi-disciplinary teams of mental health providers who work together to ensure Veteran's mental health and related needs are met. Each BHIP team structure consists of up to four team-lets, with up to four psychiatric providers on each team. The incumbent in this position will function as an administrative supervisor for one BHIP team, the incumbent is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of one BHIP team and ensure coordination of all mental health and related services for each Veteran assigned to their respective BHIP team. The incumbent is delegated the full scope of authority and responsibility for the administration and coordination of said program and their staff, to include performance standards and evaluations, evaluation of their clinical skills in conjunction with their discipline-specific program areas (social work, substance abuse, etc.), workload evaluation, competencies, efficiencies and all other personnel related responsibilities. The incumbent assumes professional, technical, and administrative. responsibilities for social work programs extended to these areas. The incumbent is responsible for various control points assigned to the program within the assigned areas. The incumbent manages and controls the use of data related to these programs regarding day-to-day functioning and program evaluation. In conjunction with the BHIP Program Coordinator and Mental Health Outpatient Section Chief, plans, organizes and directs administrative, operational, patient and personnel activities for the service. The incumbent performs a wide range of services and provides technical assistance to state, local, and private agencies, and universities. Technical assistance provided is based on monitoring activities and program reviews, and the development and analysis of information. In addition, the incumbent uses sound judgment in the interpretation of trends and patterns; the application of guidelines; and the recommendation of program enhancements. The incumbent performs program analysis, development, review, research, design, and public contact work. The incumbent is responsible for key project activities related to the planning, development, and implementation of the project component. The incumbent is a role model for the interns and postdoctoral residents, as well as psychologists and psychotherapists within BHIP, demonstrating the application of psychological knowledge to clinical practice, and a sensitivity to and knowledge about the influence on the services provided of ethnic, cultural, and individual differences. Consistent with the expectation of all doctoral level psychologists, the incumbent is a full member of the medical staff and meets all of the requirements consistent with functioning as a licensed independent practitioner (LIP) within this medical center. The incumbent is competent to function in any of the following areas and provides specialized clinical services within a designated clinic. These include any of the following options: Provide a full range of psychological testing, psychodiagnostics, assessment services including administration, interpretation and reporting writing of psychological testing. Provide consultation services to other health care providers in BHIP as well as outpatient, inpatient, residential, and community-based health care settings in areas such as differential diagnosis, treatment planning recommendations, recommendations regarding interventions with family or significant others, or in other clinical areas which are addressed by performance standards or clinical reminders. Consult with and serve as a resource for other professional staff concerning the need for and development of psychological services. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. work schedule, but work schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for highly qualified candidates\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]