Senior Psychologist Program Manager

Duties
Duties include, but are not limited to:
Responsibility for programmatic aspects of mental health clinical services.
Responsibilities encompass professional, management, and administrative aspects of MHSL, including establishing policies, standards, procedures, and practices regarding the provision of mental health services.Has ability to apply effective management practices, including balancing of responsibilities, setting priorities, organizing workload, delegating tasks, meeting multiple deadlines, and analyzing complex organizational problems.Has ability to develop and implement effective solutions, and to do so autonomously.Has ability to manage and direct the work of mental health staff to accomplish service line goals and objectives. Has the ability to adapt work operations to new and changing programs, to changes in staffing requirements, and to changes in budgeting requirements.Has ability to establish and implement strategic plans and long-range goals for MHSL based on anticipated patient needs, changes in patient populations and overall goals of MHSL, the hospital, and the VISN.Has ability to make independent decisions, with appropriate input from management, taking into consideration staffing and budget needs, program evaluation considerations and overall changes and developments within MHSL.Works with program managers to ensure compliance with JC and CARF standards for delivery of mental health services.Able to make major decisions that significantly impact the ability of staff to provide comprehensive, evidence based mental health services to Veterans.
Decisions vary in scope and magnitude, and effect day to day functions of mental health staff as well as the longer-term direction of the MHSL.Responsibilities include hiring and performance management. Works directly with HR in the employment of GS, Title 38, and hybrid Title 38 personnel and is responsible for selection, evaluation and initiation of promotion and other personnel actions for a variety of staff within MHSL.Has experience directing or leading committees charged with hiring a wide variety of mental health staff and disciplines.Has ability to achieve maximum employee productivity by implementing motivational strategies, directing an appropriate system of rewards and instituting corrective action as needed.Decisions are made with very wide latitude and independent judgment.
The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Mental Health Service Line but operates on a day-to-day basis in an independent manner.Has ability to work autonomously and to make complex decisions in a fast-paced environment.Has ability to establish priorities, delegate tasks, manage multiple deadlines, analyze difficult organizational problems, and implement viable solutions.The incumbent is responsible for keeping the Chief of the Mental Health Service Line apprised of activities and issues in need of close collaboration, including the fulfillment policies and performance improvement goals for the MHSL.Knowledge of the goals and objectives of the Hospital and VISN and ability to communicate these goals and objectives to subordinates.Have direct supervisory responsibility for more than 20 staff in the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) program as well as the MHSL Administrative Officer and the 3 staff who report to the AO. Have indirect supervision of and responsibility over the work of over 200 staff.Clinical Responsibilities
Have knowledge of and ability to apply advanced psychological theories to a wide range of patient populations.Able to provide a full range of psycho-diagnostic services and utilize evidence-based psychotherapeutic techniques.Academic/Teaching/Training
May supervise and/or provide consultation for Psychology trainees.May be involved in the training of medical students and medical residents.Performs other duties, as required.Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pmTelework: Available, Ad-Hoc only.Virtual: This is not a virtual position.Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized.Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.
Requirements Conditions of EmploymentYou 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.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: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.English: Must be proficient in basic written and spoken English.Education: Must 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). (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)OR Must 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 respecialization 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: Must provide transcripts and/or certificate documenting the completion of the respecialization program, which includes completion of an APA or CPA internship.

OR Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)AND Internship: Must 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 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 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;OR 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.)LICENSURE: Applicants must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. (PROVIDE COPY)In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must meet the following grade requirements: Senior Psychologist Program Manager, GS-15Experience. At least four years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-14 grade level. Experience at this level includes, but is not limited to: Development of short- and long-range goals and plans; development and implementation of policies and procedures to ensure that plans are carried out and goals are met; management of administrative and programmatic resources; monitoring outcomes using data-driven quality assurance processes; oversight of administrative and programmatic resources and deploy those resources in support of the program needs.Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Skill in managing and directing the work of large, complex organizational units and in applying effective management practices.
2. Skill in persuasion, negotiation, and motivation to negotiate multiple program policies.
3. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees and other managers using advanced consultation and problem solving skills.
4. Skill in the application and analysis of measurement tools to systems issues.
5. Ability to balance responsibilities in a complex environment and to work with great autonomy; ability to set priorities and delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze complex organizational problems; and ability to develop and implement effective solutions for those problems.
6. Ability to assess need for basic and complex services across multiple programmatic contexts.
7. Ability to coordinate the efforts of multiple program elements across a complex system.Preferred Experience: Candidate with both Mental Health background and administrative experience.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-15.
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 informationReceiving Service Credit or 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.
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.
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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.
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