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This Position Closed on 15-May-2013

Job Title:Clinical Psychologist

Department:Department Of Veterans Affairs

Agency:Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Job Announcement Number:HP-646-12-JZ667008-MHC

SALARY RANGE:

$58,519.00 to $108,428.00 / Per Year

OPEN PERIOD:

Wednesday, May 16, 2012 to Wednesday, May 15, 2013

SERIES & GRADE:

GS-0180-00

POSITION INFORMATION:

Full Time - Multiple Appointment Types

DUTY LOCATIONS:

1 vacancy(s) - Pittsburgh Metro Area, PA United States

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:

United States Citizens

JOB SUMMARY:

Vacancy Identification Number (VIN): 667008

Salary: To be determined by Professional Standard Board of your peers and based on your education, experience, and professional accomplishments.

You could be part of an important initiative to provide mental health care for our nations Veterans!

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki has announced that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will be adding approximately 1,600 mental health clinicians – to include nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers as well as nearly 300 support staff to its existing workforce.    

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) needs mental health professionals who possess the energy, compassion, and commitment to serve those who serve our Country.  Whatever the job title, every position in VA will give you a chance to make a meaningful and personal contribution to the lives of truly special and deserving people - our Veterans.

Working for VA is one of the most emotionally satisfying and professionally rewarding ways to dedicate the best within you to your country's service.

If you are transitioning from the military or a Veteran already, we invite you to explore the benefits of continuing your career at the VA.   The VA is committed to hiring Veterans.

The VA is much more than just another employer.  It is an honorable, open and welcoming community of those who care.  Gratitude is our motivation and service is our mission.   The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department.  The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries.  The Values are Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect and Excellence ("I CARE").

America's Veterans need you!

To find out more, go to http://www.va.gov/jobs/.

PLEASE NOTE: Qualified clinical trainees, residents, fellows, interns, etc. are encouraged to apply; please follow the instructions in the How to Apply section.

 

    KEY REQUIREMENTS


  • US citizenship
  • English language proficiency
  • Background/suitability investigation
  • Physical standards - Must pass pre-employment examination

DUTIES:

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A full time opportunity exists at VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) for A Clinical Psychologist with special proficiency/experience in the treatment of Substance Use Disorders (SUD).  Incumbent will be assigned to the Center for Treatment of Addictive Disorders (CTAD), a multi-disciplinary Behavioral Health treatment program specializing in the provision of consultation, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation services for veterans with substance use disorders.  Based at the Highland Drive Division, CTAD consists of an integrated continuum of outpatient and brief residential rehabilitative services, and which also includes methadone maintenance, ambulatory outpatient detoxification, and specialty clinics and groups for clients who present with co-occurring mental health disorders such as mood disorders, PTSD, and schizophrenia.  A client-empowerment and change-readiness model is utilized in CTAD.  Evidence-based and skills-focused treatments are emphasized, including motivational enhancement therapies. The CTAD client population consists of adult male and female combat and non-combat veterans who may have served in WWI, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, or Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom. Co-occurring mental health disorders are common, as are medical co-morbidities frequently associated with Substance Use Disorders.   Incumbents will provide a full range of psycho-diagnostic services, including patient evaluation, cognitive screening, treatment planning and referral, and individual, family and group therapy services.  Incumbents will also provide risk assessment, screening and counseling for HIV, hepatitis and other health risk behaviors, conduct screening to assess for withdrawal risk, and manage presentations of acute intoxication according to protocol.  Incumbents also function as clinical consultants and subject matter experts to administrative, medical and other clinical or support staff in matters relevant to the care of patients with Substance Use Disorders Incumbents will be based at the VA Pittsburgh Highland Drive Division, but will be expected to provide expansion of clinical services and assist in the coordination of substance abuse treatment to veterans in primary care or other service lines at our nearby University Drive and Heinz Divisions. The incumbent must have interest, experience, and training in working with adults, and in the diagnosis and treatment of Substance Use Disorders.  Completion of a post doctoral fellowship in Substance Abuse or additional specialty skills in neuropsychology, geropsychology, are highly desirable, as is prior training/experience in Motivational Interviewing and Evidence Based Psychotherapy.  Incumbents may be required to work evenings and tours other than the normal 8:00 am-4:30 pm administrative work week.  Incumbents will be under the direction of the CTAD Program Leader and accountable to BHSL Program Manager. Incumbents will be expected to become involved in the supervision of interns, have an interest in initiating funded research projects, participate in ongoing program evaluation and performance monitors, and be involved in the provision of training to other clinicians. The BHSL at VA Pittsburgh has an APA approved internship and APA approved post-doctoral fellowship program, and is an APA approved sponsor of continuing education. This is a bargaining unit position.

Relocation expenses and/or incentives have not been authorized.


QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

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BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

  • U.S. citizenship
  • English language proficiency (written and spoken)
  • Physical standards - All applicants must meet the physical standards for the position. A physical examination prior to employment may be required.

 

Qualifications :   All interested applicants must hold a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from an accredited college or university; whose curriculum in psychology is approved by the APA (American Psychological Association).   Applicants must, in addition, have completed a one year APA approved internship and be licensed or certified as a Psychologist in a State.   The Secretary of the VA may waive the requirement of the licensure for an individual Psychologist for a period not to exceed two (2) years on the condition that such Psychologist provide patient care only under the direct supervision of a Psychologist who is licensed or certified.

GS-11 Level:   APA approved doctoral degree and APA approved internship. The specialty area of the degree must be the same as that in which the applicant is to be employed.

GS-12 Level:   (1) year of supervised post-doctoral experience in clinical psychology gained in a professional post doctoral program, appropriate to the specialty area of the position or gained in a supervised professional setting concerned with health, rehabilitation or vocational restoration.

GS-13 level:   (2) years of post-doctoral experience as described above for the GS-12 level.

Experience: The experience cited must indicate the applicant's ability to perform the duties of the Psychologist in the area of work and at the level of difficulty and responsibility of the grade being considered.   An applicant must have demonstrated abilities for the position including these responsibilities.   For positions in grades GS-12 & GS-13 levels, (1) year of experience must have been at a level of difficulty comparable to that of the next lower grade in the Federal service.

Note:   Qualification Requirements are from the VA Staffing Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G18, dated March 17, 2006.

 


NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the United States Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards your qualifications for this position. You can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency. 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.

Veteran's Preference: When applying for Federal jobs, eligible veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of DD-214(s) showing all dates of service as well as character of service (honorable, general, etc.). Additionally, veterans with service-connected disability of 10% or more must also submit a copy of their official statement from the Department of Veterans Affairs, or from a branch of the Armed Forces, certifying their service-connected disability and/or their receipt of compensation for service-connected disability.

Veterans with service-connected disability of less than 10%, nonservice-connected disability, and Purple Heart recipients, as-well-as those claiming derived preference for a spouse, widow or widower, or natural mother, should refer to and submit a completed SF 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference," and required documentation with your application materials.

For more information on Veterans' Preference, go to http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetsinfo.asp.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Complete application packages will be reviewed to determine if the basic qualifications for this position have been met. A listing of candidates who meet the basic qualification requirements will be forwarded to the hiring facility where the credentialing and privileging screening process is completed.


BENEFITS:

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VA offers a comprehensive benefits package.  This link provides an overview of the benefits currently offered:  http://www.va.gov/jobs/job_benefits/benefits.asp.

OTHER INFORMATION:

This position will be filled on a full-time permanent basis. Upon completing any required probationary period, the position will be permanent.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.


HOW TO APPLY:

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To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package (See "Required Documents" section below).  The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Wednesday, May 15, 2013.

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.

Note: To return to a previously Saved or Incomplete application return to your member account in USAJOBS to see the status of your application, including any messages that may have been sent to you.

If you cannot apply online:

  1. Click the following link to view and print the occupational questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire,
  2. Print this 1203FX form to provide your response to the occupational questionnaire http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/opm1203fx.pdf, and
  3. Fax the completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to (478)757-3144. Your 1203FX will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission. Keep a copy of your fax receipt in case verification is needed.

To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload:

  1. Complete this cover page http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf  using the following Vacancy ID 667008.
  2. Fax your documents to (478)757-3144.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

  1. Occupational Questionnaire 
  2. CV or Resume 
  3. VA Form 10- 2850a - Application For Associated Health Occupations -  Available at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-2850c-fill.pdf
  4. Proof of current certification, licensure or registration 
  5. Unofficial transcript(s) - official college transcript(s) will be required before being hired
  6. OF-306 - Declaration for Federal Employment - Available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.pdf.
  7. Veterans should submit appropriate documentation as described previously in this vacancy announcement.
  8. If currently employed by the federal government, include a copy of your latest SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Jolie Zelesnak
Phone: (412)822-3511
Email: JOLIE.ZELESNAK@VA.GOV
Agency Information:
VHA Pittsburgh VAMC
PLEASE DO NOT MAIL APPLICATIONS
APPLY ONLINE OR FAX
Pittsburgh, PA
00000

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

You will receive e-mail notification as to whether or not you were included on the list of referred candidates. If you do not provide an e-mail address, your notification will be sent via U.S. Postal Service within 2-4 weeks. Important note: Applicants have the burden of producing all needed information prior to the closing of the announcement Wednesday, May 15, 2013.


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