Psychology Program Manager

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Basic Requirements : United States Citizenship : Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency : Candidates must be proficient in spoken & written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 § 7403(f). 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. 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 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 : (a) 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 & 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature. AND Internship : Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that was accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed & 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 & the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an intern; OR VHA 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. (NOTE : Once board certified, the employee is required to maintain board certification.) OR Applicants who have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 & 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. Licensure. Hold a full, current, & 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. The board certificate must be current & the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirement for continuing education. Grandfathering Provision : 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 : Psychology Program Manager,GS-14 Experience. At least three years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-13 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities : In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs : Ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlines. Knowledge of and ability to utilize evidence based practices and clinical practice guidelines appropriately and ability to guide staff in using these tools. Ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view. Skill in managing and directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives. Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations. Ability to establish and monitor production and performance priorities and standards. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program. Preferred Experience : Previous experience with disruptive behavior or workplace violence programs. References : VA HANDBOOK 5005 / 103 PART II APPENDIX G18 The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-14. Physical Requirements : Work is sedentary but also demands : Light lifting / carrying (under 15lbs); Use of fingers; Both hands / legs required; Walking (2 hours); Standing / Repeated bending (1 hour); Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20 / 20 and to 20 / 40 in other. ["The Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System (GCVHCS) is a large facility serving over 82,000 Veterans. The GCVHCS is a multi-site medical system that includes a major medical facility in Biloxi and four Community Based Outpatient Clinics. GCVHCS is an academic facility with teaching and research programs. Duties include but are not Limited to : Provides direct line supervision of an interdisciplinary team of staff, including Nurse Practitioners, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, and Social Workers, Licensed Professional Counselors, and Peer Support Specialists. Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets and adjusts short-term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work to meet multiple deadlines. Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees. Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff, which are clearly communicated through the formal employee performance management system. Evaluates work performance of subordinates. Gives advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. Interviews candidates for positions in the unit; recommends appointment, promotion, or reassignments to such positions. Hears and resolves complaints from employees, referring group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to Service Chief. Identifies developmental and training needs of employees, providing for and arranging for needed development and training. Develops performance standards. Effects disciplinary measures as appropriate to the authority delegated in this area. Reviews and approves or disapproves leave requests. Ensures supervisees are trained and fully comply with the provisions of safety regulations. Adjusts staffing levels or work procedures within the program to accommodate resource allocation decisions made at higher echelons. Provide clinical treatment both face to face and virtually. Work Schedule : Monday to Friday 8 : 00am to 4 : 30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus) : Not Authorized EDRP Authorized : Contact : , the EDRP Coordinator for questions / assistance. Learn more Pay : Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off : 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave : After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy : After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $ Retirement : Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance : Federal health / vision / dental / term life / long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework : Available at supervisor's discretion Virtual : This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement # : 520-00662 Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not applicable Financial Disclosure Report : Not required VA Careers - Psychologist : Psychologist : "]