Clinical Psychologist - Defense Health Agency Civilian Corps, Falls Church, VA

Clinical Psychologist - Presidio of Monterey, CA

Welcome to Presidio of Monterey, home of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center. Located in picturesque Monterey County on California's Central Coast, approximately 85 miles south of San Francisco and 50 miles from the Silicon Valley. With historic ties to the Spanish colonial era, the Presidio of Monterey as U.S. military installation dates to July 7, 1846  when Commodore Sloat landed his troops unopposed in Monterey during the Mexican-American War and first raised the U.S. flag in Alta California, claiming its territories for the United States.  Monterey is the last Presidio in California to have an active military installation.

About the Position:

• This is a Federal Government (GS, Civilian ) position
• Position is located at the Presidio Army Health Clinic, in Monterey, CA.

This is a great opportunity for board certified Psychiatrist to serve our Service members of all military branches attending initial and advanced schools at the Defense Language Institute and Foreign Language Center and the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California.

Working for the Department of Defense comes with an abundance of benefits and perks to include competitive compensation packages, paid-time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan to include matching employer contributions. For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/

Position:

The incumbent works as an independent professional under the administrative supervision of the assigned program director or chief within the Behavioral Health Department carrying out independent duties in accordance with (IAW) generally accepted psychological theories, methods,techniques, and practices. Assignments are received in broad terms with the expectation of autonomous implementation. The incumbent maintains full professional responsibility and individual accountability for professional decisions and actions. Incumbent’s findings, conclusion and recommendations are accepted as being professionally sound by colleagues and organizationsuperiors.

Incumbent serves as clinical Psychologist for the Clinic and assigned Behavioral Health System of Care (BHSOC) program. Makes mental health diagnosis as appropriate in accordance with the most
recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Provides individual and group therapy, using various modalities as clinically indicated to include brief problem-focused psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and client-centered therapy.Assesses acute mental health conditions in beneficiaries who present with such issues. Maintains appropriate documentation of patient care in accordance with current unit and hospital SOPs;current DoD, Army, Federal and state regulations; and professional ethics. Maintains performance and conduct in accordance with current unit and hospital SOPs; current DoD, DA, Federal and state regulations; and professional ethics.

Assesses and provides crisis intervention for individuals with complex behavioral health conditions and problems to include acute and chronic danger. Other intervention skills may include capacity to perform intensive outpatient treatment group counseling, stress management, relaxation training,assertive/social skills training, smoking cessation training, substance abuse identification and brief related interventions appropriate for routine and intensive outpatient practice, , and evidenced-based interventions for mastery of anxiety, depression, post traumatic symptoms and co-occurring conditions. Participates in related quality assurance activities. Provides individual, and/or group psychological counseling utilizing a variety of treatment modalities to adult patients. Provides psychological and clinical consultation to other professionals and para-professionals through established consultation channels. Personal contacts include, but are not limited to, contacts withother professional within the fields of counseling, psychology, social work, psychiatry, medicine,nursing, education and Army unit leaders. These contacts are for the purpose of gathering relevantdata and providing consultation in order to facilitate the accurate assessment and treatment ofreferred patients.

Major Duties:

A. Clinical Assessment:
Screens and interviews patients, and performs bio-psychological social evaluations, using expertknowledge of general and specific concepts, principles, procedures, and practices relating topsychological counseling; expert knowledge of the full range of psychological testing; expertknowledge of psychodynamics, psychopathology, and therapeutic techniques; ability to analyze clinical assessments of patients; skill in written communication; and skill in oral communication.Monitors and evaluates completeness of patient intake. Selects, approves, and documents treatment priorities through a treatment plan. Reviews level of care for appropriateness. Evaluatesand approves referral sources. Prepares and delivers briefings and presentations. Conducts meetings, conferences, etc. Establishes cooperative agreements among various treatment providers. Monitors, evaluates, and approves use of community resources. Provides reports and approves consults. 

B. Therapy, Case Staffing, and Treatment:
Perform evidenced-based individual and group counseling for patients enrolled in a behavioral health outpatient program with known high-risk factors to include suicide, history of trauma and co-occurring substance use disorders. Conducts therapy, monitors, approves, and documents allt reatment planning using expert knowledge of general and specific concepts, principles, procedures,and practices relating to psychological counseling; expert knowledge of the full range of psychological testing; expert knowledge of psychodynamics, psychopathology, and therapeutic techniques; ability to analyze clinical assessments of patients; skill in written communication; and skill in oral communication. Reviews and approves the appropriate modality of each patient.Develops treatment processes and procedures for orientation of patients. Evaluates information/education processes. Evaluates overall effectiveness of therapeutic efforts. Institutes changes to increase effectiveness of therapeutic efforts. Evaluates appropriateness of treatment plans and goals. Develops treatment plans for the most severe cases. Provides structure and procedures for organization of case staffing information. Approves diagnoses. Establishes policies for case staffing. Uses objective behavioral outcome measures to evaluate progress in treatment.

C. Administration:
Executes performance initiatives (PI) through revision of clinical standards and procedures; and performs a variety of quality management/quality assurance (QM/QA) duties to meet the Joint Commission (TJC) requirements, using expert knowledge of the general and specific concepts,principles, procedures, and practices relating to psychological counseling; expert knowledge of psychodynamics, psychopathology, and therapeutic techniques; ability to analyze clinical assessments of patients; skill in written communication; and skill in oral communication. Evaluates clinical records and monitors all test administration and scoring for quality assurance. Evaluates environment of care. Monitors all risk management issues and takes appropriate action. Establishes and executes performance initiatives. Establishes and monitors objective behavioral outcome measures. Evaluates and revises standard operating procedures. Conducts program evaluation.Consults with ancillary care providers. Substantiates the results of crisis intervention. Reviews data provided in reports of special actions. Reviews statistical data to modify program goals. Evaluateand approve educational packets. 

D. Psychological Testing:
Administers and interprets appropriate tests, using expert knowledge of general and specific concepts, principles, procedures, and practices relating to clinical psychology; expert knowledge of the full range of psychological testing; knowledge of psychodynamics, psychopathology, andtherapeutic techniques; ability to analyze patient assessments; skill in written communication; and skill in oral communication. Approves selection of various tests. Interprets various complex tests. Provides consultation regarding testing and interpreting issues. Evaluates test results for release. Evaluates diagnostic summaries.

E. Professional Development Activities:
Develops, implements, and evaluates professional development activities, using expert knowledge of general and specific concepts, principles, procedures, and practices relating to clinical psychology; expert knowledge of the full range of psychological testing; expert knowledge of psychodynamics, psychopathology, and therapeutic techniques; ability to analyze clinical assessments of patients; skill in written communication; and skill in oral communication.Coordinates inter-departmental in-service training. Evaluates scope of practice and modifies, as required. Evaluates training opportunities. Evaluates orientation activities. Adheres to the applicable Code of Ethics. Evaluates professional development activities. 

Performs other duties as assigned.

US Citizenship required

Must possess and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) certification

 Qualifications

1. PhD/PsyD in Clinical Psychology from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association, as well as an APA accredited internship. The incumbent is expected to have a minimum of 1 year experience as a licensed clinical psychologist. Current psychology license is mandatory.
2. Coursework, training and experience applying principles of cognitive behavioral therapy to psychological and/or behavioral medicine conditions.
3. Understanding of the relationship between medical and psychological aspects of health and disease, with application of bio-psychosocial principles, and a basic knowledge of pharmacotherapy.
4. Ability to identify, adapt, and apply empirically supported, evidence-based interventions to a broad range of problems presenting in primary care, along with identifying functional outcomes. Skill in counseling to facilitate life changes (motivational enhancement techniques) is highly valued.
5. Possess specialized knowledge of evidence-based treatment for general behavioral health problems (e.g., depression and anxiety). Possesses knowledge of evidence-based treatment for areas of behavioral medicine (e.g., chronic pain, obesity and sleep problems) or willingness to quickly develop this knowledge set.

Candidates must have a permanent, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.