Staff Psychologist - Substance Use Disorders

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

San Diego, CA
3 days ago

$105,262–$195,037 Per Year

Highlights

Applicants 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 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 candidates doctoral program. CPA accredits doctoral programs in clinical psychology counseling psychology clinical neuropsychology and school psychology OR 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 The re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program and The specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.

Numbers & Facts

Location	San Diego, CA
Salary	$105,262–$195,037 Per Year

Description

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Staff Psychologist - Substance Use Disorders

Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration San Diego VA Healthcare System - Mental Health Service

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Summary

This job is open to

Duties

Requirements

How you will be evaluated

Required documents

How to apply

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program EDRP a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval award amount up to 200000 & eligibility period one to five years are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Learn more about this agency

Overview Help Accepting applications This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more

Location 1 vacancy in the following location San Diego CA 1 vacancy

No matching locations found.

Work site options Telework eligible Yes-as determined by the agency policy. Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No

Salary 105262 - 195037 per year

Pay scale & grade GS 11 - 13 Promotion potential 13

Learn more about pay scale and grade Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Work schedule Full-time Travel Required Not required Appointment type Permanent Occupations and job series 0180 Psychology Supervisory status No Federal service type This job is in the Excepted Service Represented by a union No Drug test Yes Security clearance Not Required Position sensitivity and risk Non-sensitive NS Low Risk

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type Credentialing Suitability Fitness Financial disclosure required No

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number CBSX-13099525-27-CLB Control number 890150100 This job is open to Help The public U.S. Citizens Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency NOTE The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. Videos

Duties Help VA Careers - Psychologist httpsyoutube.comembed77qHlLw9Xck

Staff Psychologists are assigned to any VHA program and setting including inpatient residential 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 andor 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 couples family and group psychotherapies and other interventions such as environmental and behavioral interventions.

Duties may include but are not limited to This position is located in the Addictions clinical section. Primary responsibilities include conducting assessment and providing individual and group psychotherapy for Veterans with substance use disorders SUD and concurrent mental health conditions e.g. PTSD depression.

Provides psychodiagnostic assessment to diagnose mental disorders perform risk assessment and crisis intervention administer psychological andor neuropsychological assessment and provide a full range of evidence-based psychological interventions consistent with the psychologists competencies and needs of the MHCL including individual family and group psychotherapy.

Develops implements and documents the psychotherapeutic treatment plan for assigned patients including prompt completion of clinical reminders and other required documentation.

Adheres to operational policies and procedures for the treatment team Impact Unit and MHCL established by the VASDHS the Associate Chief of Staff of the Mental Health Care Line and the Chief of the Psychology Service.

Collaborate with Section Chiefs team coordinator andor MHCL leadership to identify key operational questions. Create and execute plan to address operational questions by collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data.

Complies with all CPRS documentation procedures including timeliness standards for documentation proper patient check out procedures e.g. entering diagnostic and procedure codes and return to clinic orders.

Attends and participates in administrative and informational meetings held by the Impact Unit Psychology Service Mental Health Care Line and the facility.

Provides consultation on empirically validated treatments as requested. Consults with psychiatrists social workers nurses internists and other physicians mental health pharmacists as well as psychology staff and fellows. Provides workshops and seminars on empirically-validated psychological treatments and other areas of expertise open to professionals in psychiatry social work nursing internal medicine other medical specialties and pharmacy.

Work Schedule Monday - Friday 0700-1700 tour is flexible between timeframe Telework Available. Virtual This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement 000000 Relocation Recruitment Incentives Not Authorized. EDRP Authorized Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questionsassistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station PCS Not Authorized.

Requirements Help Conditions of employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12311959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to backgroundsecurity investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable forms of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements httpswww.uscis.govi-9-centralform-i-9-acceptable-documents. Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel HCP. Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consideryour performance and conductthe needs and interests of the agencywhether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government andwhether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certificationlicensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Licensure. Applicants 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 c2B 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.

Education. Applicant 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 applicants are 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. Currently APA accredits doctoral programs in the specialty areas of clinical psychology counseling psychology school psychology or combinations of two or more of those areas. PCSAS accredits doctoral programs in psychological clinical science. CPA accredits doctoral programs in clinical psychology counseling psychology clinical neuropsychology and school psychology OR 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 The re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program and The specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. OR Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature. AND Internships. Applicants 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 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 candidates doctoral program. If the internship experience is not noted on the applicants 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.

Grade Determinations GS-11 Experience None beyond the basic requirements listed above.

GS-12 Experience Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-11. In addition the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs Knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations. Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies. Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures. Ability to conduct research activities such as designing and implementing clinical research projects staff psychologists with specified research job duties. 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.

GS-13 Experience Applicants must have at least 2 years of experience as a professional psychologist with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 level. In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs Knowledge of and ability to apply professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health. Knowledge of clinical research literature.

Assignment. This is the full performance level for staff psychologists. At this level psychologists are licensed to practice independently in the provision of psychological services consulting with peers and supervisors as appropriate. They may be assigned to any VHA program and setting such as inpatient or outpatient medicine primary care surgery mental health neurology rehabilitation medicine geriatrics Compensation and Pension Vet Centers and the VHA National Center for Organization Development. Psychologists diagnose mental disorders conduct psychological 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 behavioral health and community interventions. Psychologists consult with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues. Staff psychologists may be involved in program evaluation teaching training and research activities.

Reference For more information on this qualification standard please visit httpswww.va.govohrmQualificationStandards. 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.

Education Note Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges universities schools or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here httpope.ed.govaccreditation. 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. For further information visit httpssites.ed.govinternationalrecognition-of-foreign-qualifications.

Additional information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual Vacation Leave Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate 4 6 or 8 hours per pay period which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

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

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

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.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process visit Human Resources and AdministrationOperations Security and Preparedness HRAOSP at The Fair Chance Act.

ExpandHide additional information Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How you will be evaluated You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application resume C.V. andor supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience including volunteer work done through National Service programs e.g. Peace Corps AmeriCorps and other organizations e.g. professional philanthropic religions spiritual community student social. Volunteer work helps build critical competencies knowledge and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate e.g. on resume or during interview or hiring process gain additional knowledge regarding a candidates abilities and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA career development services for our existing Veterans and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Benefits Help

Required documents Required Documents Help

To apply for this position you must provide a complete Application Package which includes Long-form resume Curriculum vitae CV

The following documents are accepted and may be required if applicable to your eligibility andor qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application such as a copy of your transcript if using education to qualify SF-50s currentformer Federal employees etc. Cover Letter DD-214 Statement of Service Disability Letter Schedule A Disability Letter VA License Long-form resume Curriculum vitae CV Separation Notice RIF SF-15 SF-50 Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements 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. Therefore provide only the attendance andor degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply Help All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 1159 PM ET on 10302026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click httpsapply.usastaffing.govViewQuestionnaire13099525.

To begin click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume andor other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Agency contact information Courtney Blansfield Phone602-751-1286 Emailcourtney.blansfieldva.gov Address San Diego VA Medical Center 3350 La Jolla Village Drive San Diego CA 92161 US

Next steps Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages including all required documents and the vacancy announcement closes we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete a referral certificates is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel HCP. It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who during the influenza season work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include but are not limited to VA hospitals and associated clinics community living centers CLCs community-based outpatient clinics CBOCs domiciliary units Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed clinical and administrative remote and onsite paid and without compensation full- and part-time employees intermittent employees fee basis employees VA contractors researchers volunteers and health professions trainees HPTs who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents interns fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Fair and transparent The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries

Equal Employment Opportunity EEO Policy

Financial suitability

New employee probationary period

Privacy Act

Reasonable accommodation policy

Selective Service

Signature and false statements

Social security number request

Required Documents Help

To apply for this position you must provide a complete Application Package which includes Long-form resume Curriculum vitae CV

Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

ExpandHide how to apply Agency contact information Courtney Blansfield Phone602-751-1286 Emailcourtney.blansfieldva.gov Address San Diego VA Medical Center 3350 La Jolla Village Drive San Diego CA 92161 US

ExpandHide next steps Fair and transparent The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Criminal history inquiries

Equal Employment Opportunity EEO Policy

Financial suitability

New employee probationary period

Privacy Act

Reasonable accommodation policy

Selective Service

Signature and false statements

Social security number request

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION To fulfill President Lincolns promise To care for those who have served in our nations military and for their families caregivers and survivors - by serving and honoring the men and women who are Americas Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans

The VA Desert Pacific Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care you will operate in a model that is based in a partnership across time seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veterans community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration VHA Mission Statement to Honor Americas Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Agency contact information Courtney Blansfield Phone602-751-1286 Emailcourtney.blansfieldva.gov Address San Diego VA Medical Center 3350 La Jolla Village Drive San Diego CA 92161 US

Visit our careers page Learn more about what its like to work at Veterans Health Administration what the agency does and about the types of careers this agency offers. httpsvacareers.va.gov

Learn more about this agency

Overview Help Accepting applications This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more

Location 1 vacancy in the following location San Diego CA 1 vacancy

No matching locations found.

Work site options Telework eligible Yes-as determined by the agency policy. Remote job No Relocation expenses reimbursed No

Salary 105262 - 195037 per year

Pay scale & grade GS 11 - 13 Promotion potential 13

Learn more about pay scale and grade Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.

Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.

Background check type Credentialing Suitability Fitness Financial disclosure required No

Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.

Announcement number CBSX-13099525-27-CLB Control number 890150100

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Staff Psychologist - Substance Use Disorders

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Highlights

Numbers & Facts

Description

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