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

This position is located in the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center (MEDVAMC), Mental Health Care Line (MHCL).  The Psychologist will provide a full range of psycho diagnostic services including assessment and using the most appropriate psychotherapeutic techniques in providing care.  The incumbent provides direct patient contact including psychological assessment and treatment planning, individual psychotherapy/assessment sessions, and family/care giver stress therapy sessions.  Duties include, but are not limited to:  performs evaluations for patients with a variety of psychological disorders; provides psychological assessments and individual and group psychotherapy for patients; provides supervision of trainees conducting clinical care; consults with medical center staff on a variety of patient issues; and other duties as assigned.   The Psychologist will also assist with program development and evaluation and staff education.   The Psychologist may provide clinical supervision to various disciplines and levels of training, including trainees seeking licensure in psychology.  If unlicensed, the individual will be supervised by a licensed psychologist and the experience and supervision must meet the standards for psychology licensure.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:  

Candidates must meet the qualification requirements identified in the VA Handbook   5005, Part II, Appendix G18, Psychology Series, GS-180, dated March 17, 2006.   BASIC REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL GRADES:    Citizen of the United States.   Hold a doctoral degree in Psychology from a college or university approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs [the accredited college or university curriculum in psychology must be approved by the American Psychological Association (APA)], have completed study for such degree in a specialty area of psychology (completion of a full curriculum in clinical or counseling psychology or other specialty area of psychology pertinent to the position being filled, not just incidental courses in these areas as part of a program of study in a specialty area unrelated to the position for which being considered.   The specialty area of the degree must be the same as that in which the applicant is to be employed), and an internship which are satisfactory to the Secretary (acceptable internships consist of an organized training program, in contrast to supervised experience or on-the-job training, designed to provide the intern with a planned, programmed sequence of training experiences with the primary purpose to assure breadth and quality of training; such internships may be gained in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) training programs which meet APA internship requirements or in other health service settings whose internships are accredited by the APA.   Internships normally consist of 1 year of training under a licensed psychologist in an organization with sufficient staff and varied programs to provide the required breadth and quality of training), and be licensed or certified as a psychologist in a State, except that the Secretary may waive the requirement of licensure or certification for an individual psychologist for a period not to exceed 2 years on the condition that such a psychologist provide patient care only under the direct supervision of a psychologist who is licensed or certified.

Note:   Regular supervision and oversight is required for a psychologist assuming this position at the GS-11 level.   At the GS-12 level, involved supervision and oversight is still required, but at a less frequent and thorough level.   The GS-13 level psychologist exercises independent judgment in the practice and provision of psychological services, with full clinical privileges, and requires minimal supervision and oversight.  

REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-11:   None beyond the basic requirements.

REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-12:   Applicants must meet all of the basic requirements at the GS-11 level, at least one year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level.   Applicants must demonstrate the following characteristics:   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.  

REQUIREMENTS FOR GS-13:   Applicants must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia.   In addition to the experience requirements at the GS-12 level, applicants must have at least one year additional experience as a psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level.   Applicants must also demonstrate the following characteristics:   1) Knowledge of, and ability to apply, advanced professional psychological theories and neuropsychological assessment 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.   

Please Note: The successful candidate's grade and salary will be determined by a Professional Standards Board based on education and experience.

TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN ORDER FOR QUALIFICATIONS TO BE DETERMINED.   INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT SUBMIT TRANSCRIPTS WILL BE RATED INELIGIBLE.

All qualifications and specialized requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.

Individuals selected for the position of Psychologist are subject to completion of the credentialing and privileging process at the MEDVAMC.

APPLICANTS 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.  Applicants must, therefore, only report 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. ***

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. In responding to structured interview questions you should be sure to cite specific examples of experience, explain exactly what you did, and the outcome.

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

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.   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.

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 .
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: 762726.  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 Monday, October 22, 2012.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1. CV or Resume.
2. VA Form 10-2850c - Application for Associated Health Occupations (Available at  http://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/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 form is not required at this time but please submit to speed of the eligibility and hiring process.
5. Evidence of your eligibility to apply for this vacancy (please see checklist).
6. Any other documents required by the checklist.
7. 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).  
8. Copy of official or unofficial college transcript with a date conferred.
9. If currently employed in the Federal System, include latest SF-50 - Notification of Personnel Action. (required).

Note: Please ensure all documentation that requires a signature is signed.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

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.