Psychologist (Pain Clinic), GS-0180-00, Primary & Specialty Medicine at Saint Cloud

JOB SUMMARY:

Vacancy Identification Number (VIN) 920337

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincolns promise – "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" – by serving and honoring the men and women who are Americas Veterans.  

Note:  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.  The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate’s education and experience and recommend the grade and step at which the candidate will be placed.  The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.  The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Must pass pre-employment examination
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required
• Background and-or Security Investigation required
• U.S. Citizen

DUTIES:Back to top

Incumbent is the Clinical Psychologist assigned to the St. Cloud VA Health Care System Primary Care Clinics.  The clinical psychologist may assist in patient care through psychodiagnostic testing and interviewing, individual and group psychotherapy, training, research, consultation and other services typically provided by a clinical psychologist.  The psychologist will focus particularly on the psychological management of pain.  Under the direction of the service line director, the psychologist is responsible for providing consultant and day-to-day psychological clinical care to patients.  The psychologist will work directly and indirectly with patients, families and with members of the multidisciplinary team as well as community services involved in the care of patients, to improve the patients psychological health, quality of life, and reduce disability.  May be responsible for accessing patients, developing treatment plans and utilizing knowledge of medical conditions, medications and psychological/behavioral factors and patient history. 

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:Back to top

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:   

• U.S. citizenship.  Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 
•   English language proficiency (written and spoken)
• A doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).  The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.
• Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that has been accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) or am covered by one of the following exceptions.  Exceptions: 1) new VHA psychology internship program 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 Central Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an intern and (2) VHA facilities who offered full one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre-1979) are considered to be acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirements.
• Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States, (e.g., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia. EXCEPTION: The Secretary may waive the requirement of license for an individual psychologist for a period not to exceed 2 years from the date of employment on the condition that such a psychologist provide care only under the supervision of a psychologist who is so licensed.  Non-licensed psychologists who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate psychologist under the authority of 38 U.S.C., 7405 (a)(1)(D).  Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment..  This may result in termination of employment.

 

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS:
To be set by Professional Standards Board (PSB).

 (1)  GS-11

  Experience.  None beyond the basic requirements.

 (2)  GS-12

   Experience.  In addition to the basic requirements at the GS-11 level, at least 1 year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level.  Individuals assigned as GS-12 psychologists may be in the process of obtaining licensure at the independent practice level.  If unlicensed, the individual must be supervised by a licensed psychologist and the experience and supervision must meet the standards for psychology licensure. 

 (3)  GS-13

  (a)  Licensure.  Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (e.g., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia.

  (b)  Experience.  In addition to the experience requirements at the GS-12 level, at least 1 additional year of experience as a psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level.

References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G18, Psychologist Qualification Standard, dated March 17, 2006

PLEASE NOTE:  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.)  Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  Applicants 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 accordingly.  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.

Physical Requirements: Applicant must pass a pre-employment physical.

Veterans 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 your DD214(s) and/or documentation related to your active duty service which shows dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation.

Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veterans Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.  For more information, please review the information for disabled Veterans in the application checklist or visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified.  Please follow all instructions carefully.  Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Country: USA, State: Minnesota, City: Saint Cloud, Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration.