Bhip Champion

Summary

Carl Vinson VA Medical Center is an integrated health care delivery system, offering a comprehensive array of medical, surgical, rehabilitative, mental health and extended care to Veterans in Middle and South Georgia. CVVAMC Mental Health Services are organized around major clinical programs, with all programs supporting the integration of clinical service delivery and training. Your function as a General Mental Health Senior Social Worker in a psychotherapist role as part of the BHIP.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

05/08/2024 to 09/30/2024

• Salary

$113,438 - $147,474 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 13

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Location

4 vacancies in the following location:

• Dublin, GA

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

25% or less

• You may be expected to travel for this position.

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0180 Psychology

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

No

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBTB-12411675-24-MAA

• Control number

790569000

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This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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Duties

Clinical Responsibilities The incumbent performs specialized treatment of complex physical or mental illness. The incumbent incorporates complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment of Veterans, including making psychosocial and psychiatric diagnostic opinion within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. The incumbent is trained and competent in at least one of the recognized VA interventions for evidence-based psychotherapy.

Essential Administrative (Management) Responsibilities The incumbent is assigned to administrative responsibility for clinical program development and is accountable for clinical program effectiveness and modification of service patterns.

While functioning as an independent professional, the incumbent is under the direct supervision of the BHIP Supervisor for their BHIP location (BHIP Dublin, BHIP South or BHIP Central) and receives clinical, administrative guidance/mentoring as it relates to psychotherapy practice and BHIP implementation in the mental health service line.

Meets the needs of customers (Veterans, visitors, volunteers, and all medical center staff) while supporting the medical center and service missions. Consistently communicates and treats customers in a courteous, tactful, and respectful manner. Provides the customer with consistent information according to established policies and procedures. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer with professionalism and tact.

The primary age of veterans requiring care by staff working in the MHSL cover the entire adult age range including younger veterans between the ages of 18-65 years of age and older Veterans at the geriatric level, i.e., 65 years of age or older. The position requires the incumbent to possess or develop an understanding of the particular needs of these types of p veterans. Sensitivity to the special needs of all veterans in respect to age, developmental requirements, and culturally related factors must be consistently achieved.

The incumbent protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in accordance with the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy, and VITA policy.

Work, divided between office and clinical ward settings, is primarily sedentary. May require prolonged standing, moderate walking, and manual dexterity. Requires carrying light items, such as books, files, or laptop computer.

Work occurs in a modern, well-lit, temperature-controlled facility. Duties are performed in an office setting and/or on hospital wards and clinics where there is the possibility of exposure to contagious disease, infection, radiation, mechanical, chemical, and electrical hazards requiring the use of recommended precautionary practices. Requires use of computers and software programs. There is a possibility of violence requiring the use of good judgment, initiation of safety precautions, and practice of universal precautions. Must adjust to frequently changing workloads and frequent interruptions.

The incumbent implements and monitors infection control practices for disease prevention (i.e., hand washing, universal precautions/isolation procedures, including TB requirement/precautions) and other health and safety awareness.

Work Schedule: Monday

• Friday, 8:00 a.m.

• 4:30 p.m.

Telework: Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 55795F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for eligible applicants.

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You 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.

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.

• Education

(1) 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).

• AND

(4) 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.

• c. 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.

• d. Board Certification and Loss of Credential

(1) 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.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: Staff Psychologist, GS-13 (Full Performance, Level)

(a) Experience. At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

1.Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations.

2.Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health.

3.Knowledge of clinical research literature.

(c) Assignment. This is the full performance level for staff psychologists. At this level, psychologists are licensed to practice independently in the provision of psychological services, consulting with peers and supervisors as appropriate. They may be assigned to any VHA program and setting, such as inpatient or outpatient medicine, primary care, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, geriatrics, Compensation and Pension, Vet Centers, and the VHA National Center for Organization Development. Psychologists diagnose mental disorders, conduct psychological or neuropsychological assessments, treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities, and provide adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical disorders. Among the modalities provided are individual, family, and group psychotherapies and other interventions such as behavioral health and community interventions. Psychologists consult with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues. Staff psychologists may be involved in program evaluation, teaching, training, and research activities.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/103 PART II APPENDIX G18 II-G18-1 [APPENDIX G18. PSYCHOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-0180

The full performance level of this vacancy is 13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 13.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education

IMPORTANT: 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Receiving 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.

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.

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• Benefits

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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 window

Learn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility 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 Evaluated

You 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.