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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Clinical Psychologist - Compensation & Pension (Telework approved) Near Detroit, MI

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.

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. Exception: Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment as a 'graduate psychologist' at the GS-11 or GS-12 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 [(c)(2)(B)] for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that such a psychologist provide care only under the supervision of a psychologist who is licensed.

English Language Proficiency: Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.

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. OR
• Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully complete a re-specialization program (including documentation of an approved internship completed as part of the re-specialization program) meeting both of the following conditions
• The re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and,
• The specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. OR
• Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature. AND
• 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
• HA 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. OR
• 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.

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)
Experience: At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level.

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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/103 Part II, Appendix G18

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-13.

Physical Requirements: Generally, the work does not involve special physical demands. Duties are performed in several medical center areas and incumbent must be able to travel to treatment areas with ease. The majority of time is spent working at a desk utilizing the computer or phone. It involves the frequent use of office equipment including the telephone, copier, personal computer, printer and mainframe terminals. There is the potential for extended periods of sitting, standing and carrying items weighing up to 20 pounds, i.e., medical records and manuals. Transporting patients in both wheelchairs and on stretchers. The incumbent is expected to use proper preventive ergonomic techniques to perform duties.

Responsibilities:

Serves as the Psychologist Examiner for the Compensation and Pension (C&P) Program in Administrative Medicine.

The Compensation and Pension provider evaluates veterans in response to a request by Regional Office, Detroit to conduct an examination. The examination is conducted as per C&P worksheet/Disability Benefit Questionnaire. All DMA (Disability Management Agency) requirements should also be met.

The Compensation and Pension evaluations are mainly delivered via in-person (face to face) or through VA Video Connect (VVC) to the Veteran's home or other safe location. The standard location of work is at the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center main facility.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Evaluates veterans for the presence of mental disabilities using a structured, diagnostic clinical interview and psychological testing when necessary.
• Reviews their medical records, claims file, and other evidence to prepare a report which is used by the Veterans Benefit Administration to determine the veteran's eligibility for benefits and the level of compensation. Combat veterans from all military conflicts are included.
• Responsible for the timely and appropriate completion of Compensation and Pension reports.
• Routinely searches literature relevant to combat related stress and other mental disorders typically seen for C&P examination.
• Engages in quality improvement activities that increase the efficiency, accuracy, and/or utility of C&P examinations.
• Provide approximately 100% of time in conducting Compensation and Pension examination services.
• Record review, patient examination, and report writing.
• Possess the analytical ability to research, assemble, and compile information and data, evaluate the results against appropriate standards, and recommend corrective action where indicated.
• Regularly works with a variety of complex cases within the assigned areas.
• Accountable for keeping the supervisor informed of administrative matters, professional activities, significant occurrences, and identifying problem areas that should be brought to the attention of the supervisor.
• Work is reviewed by the supervisor through frequent review of examinations.
• Other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Possibility for Part-Time Telework 1-2 Days/Week for highly qualified applicants.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 92122-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Contact VISN10HREDRPSLRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary