Psychologist (Health Behavior Coordinator)
Duty Statement:
The primary role of this clinician is to deliver evidence-based services for a wide range of health concerns including but not limited to chronic pain, insomnia, obesity, tobacco use disorders, and a wide range of chronic pain diagnoses. The incumbent should also be skilled in treating complex and co-morbid physical and mental health disorders. Treatment modalities may include but are not limited to:
motivational interviewing for various health related concerns, biofeedback, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI), mindfulness, relaxation techniques, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for health related concerns, behavioral treatments for tobacco cessation, weight loss, and general treatment adherence. Pain Psychology responsibilities constitute approximately 50% of this position, and includes the direct provision of Complementary Integrative Health (CIH) modalities for the treatment of chronic pain. Incumbent has specialized knowledge and expertise in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of variety of chronic pain disorders and related issues, including opioid misuse and the identification and treatment of mental health disorders within the context of chronic medical illness. Performs specialty health psychology assessment/intervention (e.g., pre-surgical evaluations for Spinal Cord Stimulators or Bariatric Surgery, pain management consultation etc.), consistent with occupation-specific licensure requirements. Provides full range of psychological intervention and assessment for mental health diagnoses that are co-morbid with chronic pain issues, including suicide assessment. Conducts assessment services and mental disorders diagnosis, particularly for complex or unusually difficult patients with co-morbid mental and physical health problems. Develops, implements, and documents the psychotherapeutic treatment plan for an assigned caseload of patients, including prompt completion of clinical reminders. Delivers evidence-based methodologies to effectively communicate with, motivate, coach, and support patients in being aware of relevant health risks, clarifying personal goals for health promotion and disease prevention change, developing individualized patient self-management plans, and maintaining these healthy behaviors. Collaborates with multidisciplinary treatment team, including Pain Management providers, HPDP staff, Whole Health team members, PACT, Primary Care-Mental Health Integration, and other Mental Health staff to ensure effective coordination of behavioral and mental health interventions as well as to develop and integrate behavioral interventions (e.g., pain, sleep, stress, biofeedback) that help Veterans in their efforts to adopt healthy behaviors and reduce risky behaviors. Serves as a consultant to other medical center staff and trainees and assist in their formulation of the psychological characteristics and appropriate expectations regarding their treatment of chronic health conditions, including chronic pain. Serving as a subject matter expert in health coaching, MI, patient self-management, and health behavior change; supporting the integration of health behavior change elements into clinical programming. Provides education to patients, family members, and significant others. Supports and contributes to existing smoking and tobacco use cessation clinical initiatives in primary care and smoking cessation specialty programs or clinics, evaluates the need for possible expansion of services, and supports the lead clinician in tobacco use cessation programs (and may serve in this role, if needed). Contributes to behavioral health programs such as MOVE! Collaborates with the MOVE! Coordinator to support program monitoring and improvements as needed. This may include facilitating MOVE! Groups, as well as providing direct consultation and care to complex MOVE! patients as needed. May supervises pre-doctoral and post-doctoral Psychology trainees, and may participate in the supervision of trainees in other disciplines, including medical, nursing, pharmacy, and psychiatric trainees for HPDP related rotations. Is responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center or healthcare system, as appropriate. This includes entering patient visits, completing encounters, resolving consults, appropriate clinical documentation, measuring outcomes to interventions, and meeting productivity standards. Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, 8am to 4:
30pm; however, this position potentially requires occasional flexibility in schedule. Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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). OR (2) 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 re-specialization 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. 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. 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. (2) Loss of Credential. Once board certified, psychologist must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted board certification to remain qualified for employment. A psychologist who fails to maintain the required board certification must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation if qualified and if a placement opportunity exists. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a psychologist on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education (i.e., degree and internship requirements) and licensure/certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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. Grade Determinations:
(3) 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. References:
5005/103 The full performance level of this vacancy is 13. Physical Requirements:
Lifting up to 35 pounds for 8-12 hours, intermittently; moderate carrying (15-35 pounds) for 8-12 hours, intermittently; lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient; Handling Policy (PCS-026) except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care; pulling for 8-12 hours, intermittently; pushing for 8-12 hours, intermittently; reaching above the shoulders for 8-12 hours, intermittently; both hands required; walking 8-12 hours, intermittently; standing 8-12 hours, intermittently; kneeling 8-12 hours, intermittently; repeated bending for 8-12 hours intermittently; climbing and use of both legs and arms for 8-12 hours, intermittently; both legs required; near vision correctable at 13-16 to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); specific hearing requirements; and other:
twisting, simple grasp and fine manipulation.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
The primary role of this clinician is to deliver evidence-based services for a wide range of health concerns including but not limited to chronic pain, insomnia, obesity, tobacco use disorders, and a wide range of chronic pain diagnoses. The incumbent should also be skilled in treating complex and co-morbid physical and mental health disorders. Treatment modalities may include but are not limited to:
motivational interviewing for various health related concerns, biofeedback, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBTI), mindfulness, relaxation techniques, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for health related concerns, behavioral treatments for tobacco cessation, weight loss, and general treatment adherence. Pain Psychology responsibilities constitute approximately 50% of this position, and includes the direct provision of Complementary Integrative Health (CIH) modalities for the treatment of chronic pain. Incumbent has specialized knowledge and expertise in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of variety of chronic pain disorders and related issues, including opioid misuse and the identification and treatment of mental health disorders within the context of chronic medical illness. Performs specialty health psychology assessment/intervention (e.g., pre-surgical evaluations for Spinal Cord Stimulators or Bariatric Surgery, pain management consultation etc.), consistent with occupation-specific licensure requirements. Provides full range of psychological intervention and assessment for mental health diagnoses that are co-morbid with chronic pain issues, including suicide assessment. Conducts assessment services and mental disorders diagnosis, particularly for complex or unusually difficult patients with co-morbid mental and physical health problems. Develops, implements, and documents the psychotherapeutic treatment plan for an assigned caseload of patients, including prompt completion of clinical reminders. Delivers evidence-based methodologies to effectively communicate with, motivate, coach, and support patients in being aware of relevant health risks, clarifying personal goals for health promotion and disease prevention change, developing individualized patient self-management plans, and maintaining these healthy behaviors. Collaborates with multidisciplinary treatment team, including Pain Management providers, HPDP staff, Whole Health team members, PACT, Primary Care-Mental Health Integration, and other Mental Health staff to ensure effective coordination of behavioral and mental health interventions as well as to develop and integrate behavioral interventions (e.g., pain, sleep, stress, biofeedback) that help Veterans in their efforts to adopt healthy behaviors and reduce risky behaviors. Serves as a consultant to other medical center staff and trainees and assist in their formulation of the psychological characteristics and appropriate expectations regarding their treatment of chronic health conditions, including chronic pain. Serving as a subject matter expert in health coaching, MI, patient self-management, and health behavior change; supporting the integration of health behavior change elements into clinical programming. Provides education to patients, family members, and significant others. Supports and contributes to existing smoking and tobacco use cessation clinical initiatives in primary care and smoking cessation specialty programs or clinics, evaluates the need for possible expansion of services, and supports the lead clinician in tobacco use cessation programs (and may serve in this role, if needed). Contributes to behavioral health programs such as MOVE! Collaborates with the MOVE! Coordinator to support program monitoring and improvements as needed. This may include facilitating MOVE! Groups, as well as providing direct consultation and care to complex MOVE! patients as needed. May supervises pre-doctoral and post-doctoral Psychology trainees, and may participate in the supervision of trainees in other disciplines, including medical, nursing, pharmacy, and psychiatric trainees for HPDP related rotations. Is responsible for timely completion of all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center or healthcare system, as appropriate. This includes entering patient visits, completing encounters, resolving consults, appropriate clinical documentation, measuring outcomes to interventions, and meeting productivity standards. Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, 8am to 4:
30pm; however, this position potentially requires occasional flexibility in schedule. Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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). OR (2) 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 re-specialization 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. 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. 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. (2) Loss of Credential. Once board certified, psychologist must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted board certification to remain qualified for employment. A psychologist who fails to maintain the required board certification must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment. At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation if qualified and if a placement opportunity exists. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a psychologist on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education (i.e., degree and internship requirements) and licensure/certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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. Grade Determinations:
(3) 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. References:
5005/103 The full performance level of this vacancy is 13. Physical Requirements:
Lifting up to 35 pounds for 8-12 hours, intermittently; moderate carrying (15-35 pounds) for 8-12 hours, intermittently; lifting over 35 pounds with assistive devices in accordance with the Safe Patient; Handling Policy (PCS-026) except in emergent situations requiring prompt patient care; pulling for 8-12 hours, intermittently; pushing for 8-12 hours, intermittently; reaching above the shoulders for 8-12 hours, intermittently; both hands required; walking 8-12 hours, intermittently; standing 8-12 hours, intermittently; kneeling 8-12 hours, intermittently; repeated bending for 8-12 hours intermittently; climbing and use of both legs and arms for 8-12 hours, intermittently; both legs required; near vision correctable at 13-16 to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other eye; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); specific hearing requirements; and other:
twisting, simple grasp and fine manipulation.
- Department:
0180 Psychology - Salary Range:
$88,704 to $115,313 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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