This position is located in the Mental Health Service at the George E. Wahlen VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, Salt Lake City, Utah. The duties and responsibilities are to practice independently in the provision of psychological services, consulting with peers and supervisors as needed. Psychologists diagnose mental disorders, conduct psychological or neuropsychological assessments, treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities, and provide adjunctive interventions for treatment. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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 Requirement - You must 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; OR, have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully completed a 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 you were retrained is consistent with the assignment you are applying for; OR, have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature. Internship Requirement - You must 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, 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, 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 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: Candidates must 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. Board Certification: Applicants for this position 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 and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirement for continuing education. (Once board certified, psychologist must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted board certification to remain qualified for employment. A psychologist who fails to maintain the required board certification must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment.) 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 the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: (1) Staff Psychologist, GS-11 (Entry Level) (a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Assignment. Staff psychologists at this level diagnose mental disorders, conduct psychological or neuropsychological assessments, treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities, provide adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical disorders, and may conduct research. They may be assigned to any program area. Psychologists who are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed psychologist. (2) Staff Psychologist, GS-12 (Developmental Level) (a) Experience. At least one year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Psychologists who are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist but with less intense supervision than at the GS-11 grade level. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations. 2. Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies. 3. Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures. 4. Ability to conduct research activities, such as designing and implementing clinical research projects (staff psychologists with specified research job duties). 5. Ability to perform basic research tasks of scholarship and research execution within the context of an established research team, including research participant relations, research documentation, data acquisition, maintenance, and collaboration. (3) Staff Psychologist, GS-13 (Full Performance, Level) (a) Experience. At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments 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. References: 5005/102 Part II Appendix G18 The full performance level of this vacancy is 13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 11 to 13. Physical Requirements: The position is primarily sedentary, with some bending, walking and stooping required. This position requires the ability to read printed material and distinguish colors, such as reading computer screens and the ability to accurately perceive depth so as to move around work space safely and to appropriately make contact with patients and staff. ["*Announcement will be open until filled, up to 90 days* The incumbent is assigned to the Access Crisis Team (ACT) - an interdisciplinary treatment team which provides crisis/mental health services to the Emergency Department (ED), Outpatient Mental Health (OPMH) and other outpatient clinics, as needed. The incumbent provides direct services for male and female, adult and geriatric veterans and their families. The incumbent works on a team which provides services 24 hours/day, seven days/week including holidays. Duties Include:\n1. The incumbent conducts psychosocial assessments and formulates and implements treatment plans for individuals, groups and families from various socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, educational and other diversified backgrounds.\n2. The incumbent implements treatment modalities in working with individuals, groups, and families who are experiencing a variety of psychiatric, medical and social problems to achieve treatment goals. The incumbent utilizes supportive, problem solving or crisis intervention techniques. He/she provides counseling and/or psychotherapy services to individuals, groups and families. The incumbent provides education and referral for resources and benefits; case management; and post intervention follow-up.\n3. The incumbent provides education and referrals to veterans for community services, and coordinates these services, as necessary. He/she acts as liaison between community and VA programs, providing technical assistance to community organizations, as needed.\n4. The incumbent evaluates patients in the Emergency Department for involuntary psychiatric commitment, and completes appropriate paperwork for a 24-hour involuntary psychiatric commitment when necessary. The incumbent serves as a resource to SLC VA staff regarding the local laws and regulations regarding involuntary psychiatric commitment.\n5. The incumbent provides treatment recommendations to the ED physician regarding whether the veteran is appropriate for inpatient psychiatric admission or whether they can be referred to outpatient services. The psychologist will fully assess suicide/homicide risk factors and protective factors, and clearly interpret the safety of the patient. The incumbent completes suicide behavior reports in accordance with policy, and notifies the chief of staff when appropriate.\n6. The incumbent provides assessment and treatment referrals for patients presenting with substance abuse. The appropriate screening, interventions, and referrals are provided.\n7. The incumbent is responsible to ensure continuity of care for all patients presenting in mental health crisis, by providing intervention or facilitating services with another provider. When patients call the VA in crisis, the incumbent assesses patients by telephone and provides crisis counseling/intervention, e.g. instructs patient to present to the emergency room or follow-up with established providers. The incumbent contacts local police for wellness check during appropriate circumstances.\n8. The incumbent has knowledge and skill in the use of computer software applications for drafting documents, data management, and tracking, especially those programs in use by VA. The incumbent documents psychological interventions and activities in patient's clinical record utilizing the electronic medical chart (CPRS) and ensures an appropriate hand-off and documentation when transferring patient care. Work Schedule: Potentially Sunday-Wednesday. Four 10-hour shifts/week. Will be required to work evenings, weekends, and occasional overnight shifts in support of program/agency needs.\nCompressed/Flexible: Available\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 54027, 54028, 54029\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]