Summary

At this level - neuropsychologists are licensed to practice independently in the provision of psychological services - consulting with peers and supervisors as appropriate. The neuropsychologist has advanced knowledge of neuropsychological assessment - neuropsychological and psychological diagnosis - intervention - and behavioral health that qualifies him/her to provide advice and consultation to professionals representing a variety of disciplines.

Qualifications

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
• 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 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 - (b) the specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed
• NOTE: The applicant must provide an official transcript and/or certificate documenting the completion of the re-specialization program - which includes completion of an APA or CPA internship
• Psychologists who have successfully completed a re-specialization program as described above and who were employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs prior to the implementation of this standard are considered to have fully met the educational requirements of these qualification standards
• OR - (3) Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution - with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature
• 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
• OR - (b) 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 - (c) 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
• (d) 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 - (e) 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
• 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
• Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment
• 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
• 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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above - the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates
• Experience: At least two (2) years of experience as a professional psychologist - with at least one (1) year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• Knowledge of - and ability to apply - advanced professional psychological theories and techniques to the full range of patient populations - particularly for patients with chronic severe mental illness
• Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health with patients suffering from mental illness
• Knowledge of clinical research literature Preferred Experience: Brain injury / traumatic brain injury and neuropsychology Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13
• Physical Requirements: Occasional light lifting/carrying (15 pounds or less)
• Expected to successfully negotiate various functional requirements (i.e. - lifting - ambulating - reaching above their shoulder(s) - the use of hands or fingers - sitting - standing - repeated bending - using stairs or elevators - functional vision - clear speech - hearing - and emotional stability) and environmental factors (i.e. - working independently and at times closely with others - moving about the campus for appointments and/or meetings) for the position - with or without adaptive devices
• ****All required documentation must be uploaded before the announcement closes - to support eligibility.**** Failure to submit documentation will constitute the application being categorized as incomplete and therefore ineligible for referral
• Experience must be clearly indicated in your resume.

Duties

• Function and Scope of Duties - but not limited to: Clinical Responsibilities (80% of time) 1
• Provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services including detailed cognitive assessments
• Primary responsibilities will be comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations including re-evaluations
• 2
• Performs evaluations mainly for patients with a variety of neuropsychological disorders - and to a limited extent - psychological disorders
• 3
• Provides education and detailed feedback sessions regarding cognitive functioning - mood dysfunctioning - and the impact of combined cognitive deficits and mood dysfunctioning - to patients - family members and significant others
• 4
• Works collaboratively as part of the Polytrauma interdisciplinary team
• 5
• Provides consultation to interdisciplinary team members - with focus on cognitive and neurobehavioral/mood functioning and treatment recommendations
• 6
• Maintains a close working relationship with the Polytrauma Senior Neuropsychologist
• 7
• Provides consultation to professional staff within CMC VAMC outside of the Polytrauma team concerning neuropsychological assessment findings and appropriate treatment plans
• 8
• Develops - implements - and documents the results and recommendations from neuropsychological testing for an assigned caseload of patients assigned by the Senior Neuropsychologist
• 9
• Functions independently as a member of the CMC VAMC Medical Staff - with full clinical privileges
• Assumes complete professional responsibility for his/her clinical assessment findings - patient care decisions - and documentation
• Administrative responsibilities (10 % of time) 1
• Adheres to operational policies and procedures for the treatment team
• 2
• Facilitates liaisons with other health care providers to effectively coordinate services
• 3
• Complies with national and local performance measures - including timely health care screening and completion of clinical reminders for all patients
• 4
• Complies with all CPRS documentation procedures - including timeliness standards for documentation and proper patient check out procedures (e.g. - entering diagnostic and procedure codes)
• 5
• Assists in the execution of ongoing program evaluation and data-driven quality improvement projects
• 6
• Attends and participates in administrative and informational meetings held by the Service Chief (or designee) - Supervisor - Senior Polytrauma Neuropsychologist - and facility Director
• 7
• Attends regular Service staff meetings - team meetings - and complies with Psychology Service peer review procedures
• Academic/Teaching/Training and Other (10 % of time): 1
• Provides clinical supervision and instruction for any assigned neuropsychology and psychology students - interns - and post-doctoral fellows
• 2
• May provide clinical supervision and instruction for any medical students and and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation residents - and other graduate or post-graduate trainees
• 3
• May provide training to staff of other disciplines through didactic presentations
• 4
• May present outcome data and research at VA and regional or national scientific or professional meetings - as appropriate
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized ****All required documentation must be uploaded before the announcement closes - to support eligibility.**** Failure to submit documentation will constitute the application being categorized as incomplete and therefore ineligible for referral
• Experience must be clearly indicated in your resume.