Psychologist - Chief of Mental Health & Behavioral Medicine

DutiesThis position is authorized to provide the right candidate with a sign-on bonus (maximum 15% of salary per year, up to four years), cover moving expenses to the Wilkes-Barre, PA area, and offer the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) which has a value of $200,000
The Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center is hiring one full-time Psychologist to be the Chief of Mental Health & Behavioral Medicine. The Psychologist perform duties including planning, developing, coordinating, directing, and evaluating an integrated mental program for both outpatients and inpatients of the Wilkes-Barre Veterans Affairs Medical Center (WBVAMC) and its Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs).Duties and Responsibilities:Perform a wide range of higher-level management functions for Wilkes-Barre VA Medical Center, Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and VISN 4 through participation in planning and oversight boards, councils, and committeesDeveloping and maintaining continuing programs in the areas of professional peer review organizational improvement, continuing education, scope of practice, human resource management, clinical privileging, organizational stewardship and other quality improvement activities for a multidisciplinary staff are also essential to this positionThe incumbent will also provide direct health care to clients within incumbent's area of expertiseTranslate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operationsResponsible for the administration, management, and control of funds, including obligation and authorization of payment for services providedParticipates in the annual budget planning for operation of Mental Health Service in collaboration with Section Chiefs, including allocation of funds and recommendations to top management regarding staffing requirements, cost effective technological advances, equipment, projects, and suppliesBudgetary recommendations are based on statistics, studies and projections which indicate patient workload trends, and knowledge of VISN-wide goals and objectives for program development and managementSupervisory responsibility for subordinates and responsibility for all professional, management, and administrative aspects of the MH ServiceAbility to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlinesSkill in managing and directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives, and ability to devise ways to adapt work operations to new and changing programs, staffing, and budget requirements, etceteraDevelop relationships with management, co-workers, patients, and the general public by consistently being courteous, respectful, and cooperative in natureOther duties as assigned by the Chief of StaffWork Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8am to 430pmCompressed/Flexible: May be considered after an initial period of work to ensure employee has mastered required duties
???????Telework: Only available on Ad-Hoc basis. The Medical Center will be the work location of this position on a regular basis.Virtual: This is not a virtual position.Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized (this can be a lump sum upon starting or paid annually over up to 4 years)EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Learn morePermanent Change of Station (PCS): Authorized (the VA will reimburse you for your moving costs)
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.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. QualificationsBasic Requirements:Language: Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.Citizenship: You must be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens)Education: You 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.Licensure: You must 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.Grade Determinations GS-15: In addition to the basic requirements, you must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade, GS-14, which is directly related to the position to be filled.
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
Ability to supervise and manage a large group of professional staff effectivelySkill in interpersonal relationships, including conflict resolution and ability to work collaboratively with supervisors from other unitsAbility to accurately apply the qualification standards, assesses the potential of current and prospective employees, and promotes their professional developmentAbility to develop appropriate productivity standards for professional staff, often across multiple program linesKnowledge of the goals and objectives of the medical center and VISN and ability to communicate these to subordinatesKSAs Must be Demonstrated in Your ResumePreferred Experience:Management Experience 2-5 yearsAbility to manage and lead diverse disciplined staffFamiliarity with requirements of Office of Mental HealthReference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
EducationIMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.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.
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

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.