Psychology Program Manager

DutiesAssists the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health Services in the overall operation of Mental Health ServiceMaintains supervisory responsibility of the supervisors of the following programs: VHA VRS, LRC, ICMHR, PRRC, Peer Support (Current interdisciplinary staff including Psychologists, Physicians, Social Workers, Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists and Peer Support Specialists, in addition to multiple inter-professional trainees.)Collaborates with the Evidence Based Practice program coordinator within the organization to assure integration of Recovery-focused treatment elements with a focus on delivery of empirically based interventions.Works cooperatively with the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health Services, other services across ECHCS including CBOC management, and the Chief of Staff and Executive Leadership. - Fosters a cohesive interdisciplinary team environment.Oversees quality control issues and performance measures with the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health Services and Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health Services Operations.Oversees and coordinates activities related to accreditation within section, including CARF and Joint Commission.Oversees compliance with and successful execution of Mental Health Performance Measures, SAIL, workload, VERA capture, Veteran satisfaction, and quality assurance.Utilizes the service recovery model with veterans who express dissatisfaction or concerns regarding their mental health care.As requested, provides consultation for all mental health clinicians regarding the clinical care of complex cases.Meets regularly with the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health Services regarding all issues related to Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Recovery Section Programs.Supervisory ResponsibilitiesThe SCPSR&R is the first line supervisor for the program coordinators/supervisors of the following programs located in Northern and Southern Colorado: VHA VRS, LRC/Peer Support, ICMHR and PRRC (RMR VAMC only).Oversees the function of these programs monitoring their quality and service delivery.Works cohesively with the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health Services in regards to strategic planning.The SCPSR&R is a member of the senior leadership team in Mental Health and is involved in Clinical Leadership Meetings.Completes all quality measures and reports as requested by VAECHCS, VISN 19 and VA Central Office.Works closely with all senior Mental Health supervisors and clinicians on issues related to performance, workload, and Veteran satisfaction.Meets frequently with Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health Services and to discuss/resolve clinical and administrative issues.Covers for the Associate Chief of Staff for Mental Health Services in his/her absence.Clinical ResponsibilitiesIndependently provides biopsychosocial assessment and diagnostic services for Veterans with a broad range of psychopathology receiving care within the clinical setting. Has working knowledge and experience in use of mental health diagnoses, disabilities and treatment procedures; this includes acute, chronic and traumatic illnesses/injuries, common medications and their effects/side effects, and medical terminology.Establishes and maintains effective therapeutic relationships with veterans and their families. Provides education to both patients and family members regarding relevant mental health concerns.Provides comprehensive, evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, including individual, family, and group psychotherapy and psychoeducation.Provides crisis intervention services, seeking to address the cause as well as the presenting complaint.Can communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people from varied backgrounds.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.Adheres to all Facility and Mental Health Service policies and practices for delivering clinical care, including but not limited to suicide risk reduction practices, timeliness of care and access standards, professional conduct requirements, and CPRS documentation conventions.Education and TrainingIs identified as the Co-Director of the VA Interprofessional Advanced Fellowship in Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) and Recovery Oriented Services as approved by VA's Office of Academic Affiliation (OAA).Provides clinical supervision and/or training for medical residents, medical students, social work interns, nurses, or other trainees.Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 07:30AM to 04:00PMTelework: Authorized - determined by agency policyVirtual: This is not a virtual position.Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not AuthorizedFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements Conditions of EmploymentYou must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.Must be proficient in written and spoken English.You may be required to serve a probationary period.Subject to background/security investigation.Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.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).Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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
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
Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.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. 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
Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully complete a respecialization program (including documentation of an approved internship completed as part of the respecialization 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.
NOTE: The applicant must provide an official transcript and/or certificate documenting the completion of the re-specialization program, which includes completion of an APA or CPA internship. [Psychologists who have successfully completed a re-specialization program as described above and who were employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs prior to the implementation of this standard are considered to have fully met the educational requirements of these qualification standards.]OR
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.
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.
c) VHA facilities that offered full-time, one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre-1979) are considered to be acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement.
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.)
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.
NOTE: Psychologists who meet the requirements of this revision and who were employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs prior to the implementation of this standard are considered to have fully met the requirements of this qualification standard.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.Board Certification
Persons hired to psychology positions in the VHA who completed an internship that was not accredited at the time the program was completed must be 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. The board certificate must be current and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirement for continuing education.GS-14 Grade Determinations: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 (KSAs)In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
Ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meets 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: Preferred clinical experience in working with Veterans with serious mental illness within the psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery model. Preferred supervisory experience that includes clinical and business operations. Additional experience in community based care and interdisciplinary teams.References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/103 PART II APPENDIX G18.Physical Requirements: Typically, the employee sits comfortably indoors to do the work. This position requires potentially long
periods of continued walking; standing; sitting, bending; carrying of light items such as papers, books, small parts; or driving an automobile; etc. Use of fingers, both hands required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16", hearing (aid permitted), clear distinctive speech.
EducationIMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: .
Additional informationDuring 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.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
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. Help

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Review our benefitsEligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.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.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.