Psychologist (BHIP)

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

The psychologist serves as a staff psychologist for the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) team in the Mental Health Clinic (MHC) at the American Lake Division of the VA Puget Sound Health Care System.

Duties will vary based on grade. At the GS-13 level, duties will include, but are not limited to:

Clinical Responsibilities:

• Provides comprehensive psychological assessment and diagnostic services for Veterans with a broad range of psychopathology receiving care within the mental health service line, including services for patients with complex psychopathology requiring advanced psycho-diagnostic skills.
• Demonstrates expertise in using and contemporary interview and psychometric assessment methods for mental disorders and/or behavioral health conditions.
• Provides education to patients and family members regarding mental disorders and best practices approaches to treatment.
• Provides evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions as indicated and appropriate for the specific job setting and duties of the psychologist, which may include individual, family, and group psychotherapy and psychoeducation.
• Provides consultation to health care providers about assessment findings and treatment plan for patients to ensure that care is coordinated, collaborative, and integrated within the Medical Center.
• Develops, implements, and documents the mental health treatment plan for an assigned caseload of patients, as indicated and appropriate for the specific job setting and duties of the psychologist.
• Complies with all Service Line documentation requirements, including standards for timely completion of patient contact notes, use of required documentation templates, clinical reminders, treatment plans, and risk assessment protocols.
• Adheres to all Facility and Service Line policies and practices for delivering clinical care, including but not limited to risk assessment and reduction practices for potentially dangerous behavior (suicide and violence), timeliness of care and access standards, professional conduct requirements, and documentation conventions.
• Achieves minimal clinical workload expectations as established by the Service Line.
• At the GS-13 level, psychologists are fully licensed and function independently as a member of the VAPSHCS Medical Staff with full clinical privileges. Psychologists at this grade additionally assume independent professional responsibility for their clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Assists the Team Leader and/or Program Director in the design, development, and implementation of clinical assessment and/or intervention programs.
• Adheres to operational policies and procedures for the treatment team, established by the affiliated Team Leader, Program Director, and/or Service Line Leader.
• Assists the Team Leader and/or Program Director in the execution of ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects to monitor the effectiveness of the clinical program.
• Facilitates liaisons with other health care programs in order to effectively coordinate services.
• Complies with national and local performance measures, and facilitates organizational success on these measures at the team level.
• Complies with all Facility and Service Line policies and expectations concerning administrative practices, including but not limited to leave authorization, responding to Suspense items, and completing educational requirements.
• Attends and participates in administrative and informational meetings held by the Psychology Chief/Deputy Chief, Service Line Leader (or designee), Chief of Staff, and/or Facility Director.
• Attends monthly Psychology Service Staff Meetings; Psychology Training Faculty Meetings; and participates in the Psychology Service biannual competency review process, periodically serving on the Psychology Service Clinical Pertinence Review Committee.
• Maintains current knowledge of, and practices in accordance with, Joint Commission requirements.
• Protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with provisions of Federal privacy acts and confidentiality statutes. Follows regulations and instructions regarding release of sensitive or protected patient or employee information.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm
Telework: Available, 1-5 days/pay period
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact V20CompensationTeam@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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