Psychology Technician

This position is located with the Neuromodulation Clinic of the Mental Health Service at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) in Palo Alto, California.

• Prepares the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for patients.
• Positions patients properly and comfortably in accordance with the neuromodulation device configuration.
• Positions the neuromodulation device properly over the prescribed anatomic target as determined by the Neuromodulation Clinic attending Psychiatrist or qualified designee.
• Provides patients with hearing protection (ear plugs) and ensures they are worn properly.
• Activates the device to deliver neuromodulation in accordance with the prescribed "dosage" as determined by the Attending Psychiatrist or qualified designee.
• Provides eyes-on monitoring of the patient and device during neuromodulation delivery for possible adverse events or problems arising due to the device, coil placement or other unexpected problems.
• Provides monitoring of patients after self-administration of rapidly acting antidepressants (i.e., esketamine) under the supervisor of the attending Psychiatrist or qualified designee.
• Checks vital signs prior to self-administration of esketamine and at 20, 40, 90 and 120 minutes after self-administration.
• Provides daily screening and monitoring of neuromodulation patients which includes changes in medication, sleep status, mood or anxiety related to neuromodulation therapy.
• Assesses for use of substances and utilizes knowledge of medical/substance use that is relevant to neuromodulation therapy.
• Performs daily screening for suicide.
• Obtains vital signs (temperature, blood pressure and heart rate) and their changes and observes the general well-being and mental status of patients undergoing treatment.
• Administers rating scales for patients which includes maintaining sufficient rating scale packets, administering them, collecting scores and reviewing results for immediate clinical needs (i.e., report of active suicidal or homicidal ideation with a plan) and contacts the attending Psychiatrist if this occurs.
• Drafts daily notes in the medical record, documents the procedures performed under the appropriate note title and following established forms, filled with relevant data from the treatment.
• Monitors consultation requests and schedules patients with the attending Psychiatrist or qualified designee.
• Schedules patients for neuromodulation therapy and reminds new patients of upcoming dates or their treatment.
• Contributes to approved neuromodulation research protocols and program evaluation projects.
• Adheres to professional/ethical standard and codes of conduct.
• Performs other duties as required.

Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm

Not authorized

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• 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).

• English Language Proficiency Requirement:
• In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to perform the duties of this position.
• Basic Education Requirement:
• You must possess a bachelor's degree (or higher) with a major in an appropriate social or biological science, which included or was supplemented by 12 semester hours in psychology.
• This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university.

• You must have at least one (1) full year of technical work under the direction of a professional psychologist in a program of professional services, training, or research.
• At least six (6) months of such experience must be comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade (GS-6) in the Federal service, or one (1) year comparable to the second lower grade (GS-5) in the Federal service.

Must be able to move expeditiously from place to place in the medical center. Patients may require physical assistance and support when they are brought for examination. Equipment weighing up to 50 pounds may need to be moved.

The person in this position must be able to sit and attend intensively to patient behavior over periods lasting several hours.

The person in this position must maintain excellent personal health, since the position requires long exposures to persons having primary or secondary viral and other infections.

The person in this position observes normal safety precautions, with special attention to patient safety, such as ensuring a clean and organized workspace and the absence of potential trip or fall hazards in the office area.

The person in this position must attend to patient comfort level and provide opportunities for breaks as needed.