Psychologist Job in Columbia - 98182829 - ZALNQ5SW71XWE

Job Title:
Psychologist

Department:
Department Of Veterans Affairs

Agency:
Veterans Health Administration

Job Announcement Number:
OE-11-TMH-450902

OPEN PERIOD:
Wednesday, March 30, 2011 to Wednesday, August 31, 2011
SERIES & GRADE:GS-0180-00

POSITION INFORMATION:
Full Time Excepted Service Permanent

DUTY LOCATIONS:
Multiple duty locations -click here for more info

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
United States Citizens

JOB SUMMARY:

Vacancy Identification Number (VIN): 450902(Include # on all documents)

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

To fulfill President Lincoln's 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 America's Veterans.  How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

We accept applications for this occupation on an ongoing basis; qualified applicants will be considered as follows:  Cut-Off dates for referral for consideration will be the 20th of each month. Applications received by the 20th of the each month will receive first consideration. If no selection is made, qualified applicants will then be considered during the next cut-off date.

As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the nation, but we also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries.

VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities.  For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, go to http://www.vacareers.va.gov/ .  

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

• U. S. Citizenship
• Must pass pre-employment examination
• English Language Proficiency required
• Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required
• Background and-or Security Investigation required

Additional Duty Location Info:
1 vacancy - Anderson, SC; 1 vacancy - Florence, SC; 1 vacancy - Greenville, SC; 1 vacancy - Orangeburg, SC; 1 vacancy - Spartanburg, SC; 1 vacancy - Sumter, SC; 3 vacancies - Columbia, SC

The WJB Dorn VA Medical Center located in Columbia, South Carolina is currently recruiting for clinical psychologists in our Mental Health Care Service Line in our inpatient and outpatient units.

Clinical Psychologists diagnose mental disorders, conduct psychological and/or neuropsychological assessments, treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities and provide adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical disorders.Among the modalities provided are individual, family, and group psychotherapies, and other interventions such as biofeedback, psychological hypnosis, and environmental interventions.They consult with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues.Staff psychologists may be involved in program evaluation and/or research activities.

The incumbent assesses and treats the most clinically challenging psychiatric patients.Many of thee patients have serious and persistent mental illness, major depressive disorder (MDD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance/alcohol addiction or dual diagnosis, resulting in severe emotional or family relations problems and a long history of unsatisfactory vocational adjustments.

This is a standing register to fill like positions at the WJB Dorn VA Medical Center and affiliated Outpatient Clinics as they become available.

Vacancies may not exist at all locations. Please annotate in your resume which location you would like to be considered for.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

·U.S. citizenship.

·English language proficiency. Applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407 (d).

·Physical standards - All applicants must meet the physical standards for the position as required by VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

·Licensure and Registration  - 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.

Citizenship.Citizen of the United States.  Noncitizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.   

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. Exception.  The Secretary may waive the requirement of licensure 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. 

GRADE DETERMINATIONS:

Creditable Experience:   Current Professional Psychology Practice.  To be creditable, the experience must be post-doctoral degree and must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with current professional psychology practice.  Creditable post-doctoral degree experience can be obtained through employment as a psychologist or through participating in a supervised post-doctoral psychology training program.  This may be evidenced by one or both of the following:   1.  Active professional practice.  Active professional practice means paid/non-paid employment as a professional psychologist.   2.  A full, current, and unrestricted license.  Quality of Experience.  Experience is only creditable if it is post-doctoral degree experience as a professional psychologist directly related to the duties to be performed.  Qualifying experience must also be at a level comparable to professional psychology experience at the next lower level.  Part-time Experience.  Part-time experience is creditable according to its relationship to a full-time workweek.  For example, a psychologist employed 20 hours per week, or on a ½ time basis, would receive 1 full-time workweek of credit for each 2 weeks of service.  Post-Doctoral Degree Fellowships.  Post-doctoral degree fellowships are training programs in an advanced area of clinical practice.  Training as a fellow may substitute for creditable experience on a year-for-year basis.

GS-11
Experience.  None beyond the basic requirements.
Assignment.  Staff psychologists at this level diagnose mental disorders, conduct psychological and/or neuropsychological assessments, treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities, and provide adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical disorders.  They practice under the close supervision of a licensed psychologist.

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.  In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:  1.  Knowledge of, and ability to apply, a wide range of professional psychological theories and assessment methods to a variety of patient populations;  2.  Ability to develop coherent treatment strategies; 3.  Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures.
Assignment.  At the GS-12 level, unlicensed psychologists practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist, but with less need for consultation than at the GS-11 grade level.  They may be assigned to any program area.

GS-13
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.
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.  In addition the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:  1.  Knowledge of, and ability to apply, advanced professional psychological theories and techniques 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.
Assignments.  This is the full performance level for staff psychologists.  At this level psychologists are licensed at the doctoral level to practice independently in the provision of psychological services consulting with peers and supervisors as appropriate.  They are assigned to any VHA program and setting, including inpatient or outpatient medicine, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, geriatrics, Vet Centers, and the VHA National Center for Organizational Development.  Staff Psychologists diagnose mental disorders, conduct psychological and/or neuropsychological assessments, treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities and provide adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical disorders.  Among the modalities provided are individual, family, and group psychotherapies, and other interventions such as biofeedback, psychological hypnosis, and environmental interventions.  They consult with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues.  Staff psychologists may be involved in program evaluation and/or research activities.

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

Reference:   VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G18, PSYCHOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD, dated March 2006.

EDUCATION:

Have 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.

AND

Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that has been accredited by APA.

Exceptions: (1) 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 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 requirement. 

 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:  Individuals tentatively selected must pass a pre-employment physical. 

English Language Proficiency:  Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, Section A, paragraph 3j.

Veterans' Preference:

When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on their application or résumé. Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased Veteran, must complete an SF 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference. Veterans who are still in the service may be granted tentative preference on the basis of information contained in their applications, but they must produce a DD Form 214 or other proof prior to appointment to document entitlement to preference.  For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/veterans.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.   You may also be evaluated based upon the question responses you provide during a structured interview.

BENEFITS:

Working for the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance, health benefits, thrift savings plan, and participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System. In addition to traditional "dollars and cents" benefits, we offer a range of benefits to help balance work and life.  For more information please visit us at http://www4.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. 

HOW TO APPLY:

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button at the right side of this screen 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.

YOU MUST INCLUDE VA FORM 10-2850c IN YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS VACANCY.   You may upload the completed form to your USAJOBS or Application Manager account if you apply online.  Then you can use the uploaded form again and again when applying for future vacancies.  Please see this guide (http://www4.va.gov/OHRM/joblistings/uploading-and-using-documents-online.doc) for more information on uploading and re-using the form in your applications.  Other required forms and documents can also be saved in your account and used the same way.  Applicants are urged to apply online; this process is much easier and faster.

Note: To return to a previously Saved or Incomplete application, just reapply through your account in USAJOBS.  Check your account ( https://my.usajobs.gov/Login.aspx ) to see the status of your application after applying, 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/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf . You'll note that the questionnaire numbering may not fall into alignment with the 1203FX.  You may have a series of questions and then the numbering starts over with 1.  Continue on the 1203FX as if the numbering continued.
3. Fax the completed 1203FX form along with all supporting documents to (478)757-3144.  Your 1203FX form must be placed on top of all materials being faxed and will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission.
4. 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: 450902.  You must use this fax cover sheet in order for your documents to be matched with your online application.
2. Fax your documents to (478)757-3144.

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Wednesday, August 31, 2011
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. CV or Resume.
2. VA Form 10-2850c - Applicationfor Associated Health Occupations (Available at  http://www.vacareers.va.gov/jobs_download/vha-10-2850c-fill.pdf) (required).
3. Occupational Questionnaire
4. Optional Form 306 - Declaration for Federal Employment (Available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/of0306.pdf.  This is a required form and must be submitted with your application.
5. If prior military service, include all copies of your DD Forms 214 (required).   Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased Veteran, must also complete and submit an SF 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf).  
6. If currently employed in the VA system, include latest SF-50 - Notification of Personnel Action. (required). 

Please do not mail or e-mail application material.  Apply on-line or via fax.

If you require a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact the Chief of Human Resources at 803-776-4000 ext 6520.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

WJB DORN VAMC
Phone: (803)776-4000x4346
Fax: (478)757-3144
Email: NO_E-MAIL--APPLY@USAJOBS.OPM.GOV Agency Information:
MENTAL HEALTH CARE SERVICE LINE
PLEASE DO NOT MAIL/E-MAIL APPLICATIONS
APPLY ONLINE OR FAX ONLY
Thank you, SC 29209
USA
Fax: (478)757-3144

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

After we receive your complete application package (including any required documents), your qualifications will be reviewed to decide if you meet the basic requirements.  You will be notified when this decision is made.