PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAM MANAGER - Department Of Veterans Affairs

DutiesDuties
VAPORHCS is a 206-bed Level-1a facility with two main divisions, providing primary, specialty, tertiary,
emergency, and long-term care, including mental health and substance abuse services. The medical center
serves as the quaternary referral center for Oregon, Southern Washington, and parts of Idaho for the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs.
This position is a Psychologist Program Manager at the Portland VA Healthcare System (VAPORHCS) who
has supervisory oversight over the above noted program. Members of this program are located at the Portland
campus. The incumbent will have administrative oversight and clinical supervision of the program. This
position will also provide clinical care in addition to the administrative tasks. Psychology training (providing
supervision for interns, practicum student and post-doctoral fellows as assigned) is also an important component
of this position.
II. Functions or Scope of Practice
A. Essential Administrative (Supervisory) Responsibilities.
1. Has supervisory oversight of multidisciplinary teams (Acute Psychiatry Psychosocial Services) that
may include psychologists, social workers, NPs, nurses, occupational therapists, and other health
care professionals and trainees as assigned.
2. The incumbent serves as a Program Manager for all staff assigned to this program. The incumbent
may also oversee other clinical programs as assigned.
3. Has full responsibility for the professional practice of all clinicians within incumbent's area of
responsibility, including services conducted by trainees, consultants, and para-professional staff, and
ensuring that those under his/her supervision meet the requirements of the medical facility and of the
profession.
4. Has broad responsibility/oversight for implementation of VHA Directive 1160.06, including
ensuring compliance and leading change to ensure the APU is compliant with the Directive and
associated SOPs.
5. Has broad responsibility for the day-to-day operations of mental health services within the Acute
Psychiatry Inpatient Unit. Ensures efficient operation of the within program.
6. Instrumental in development of the care model, clinic set-up, standard operating procedures (SOPs),
efficient operation of the program, and data collection.
7. Supervises timecard completion and approves leave.
8. Manages all HR matters related to program they oversee. Interacts with HR in all matters of hiring
and disciplinary action. Responsible for recruiting and selecting staff within unit.
9. Responsible for compliance with all accreditation organizations, including Joint Commission and
APA.
10. Responsibilities include supervision of staff, professional management, and administrative
responsibilities that are complex in scope within the Mental Health Division. Consults with and
serves as a resource for other professional staff concerning the need for the development of mental
health services. Collaborates with research department.
B. Academic/Teaching/Training
1. Has (or is eligible for) faculty appointment at Oregon Health & Science University.
2. Provides clinical supervision and training practicum students, interns and post-doctoral fellows in
the area of Psychology.
3. Member of Psychology Service committees as assigned.
4. Provides leadership guidance and consultation to staff of units to which assigned.
5. Serves as a consultant to other medical center staff and trainees and assists in their formulation of the
psychological characteristics and appropriate treatment expectations regarding their patients.
6. Provides education to clinical and non-clinical staff (within and outside of mental health), patients,
and other stakeholders to increase awareness and knowledge of mental health and behavioral health
problems and their treatment.
C. Clinical Responsibilities
The incumbent provides a full range of psychological services to Veterans on the Acute Psychiatry Unit,
including individual and group psychotherapy, assessment, and consultation.
III. Supervisory Controls:
The program manager/supervisory psychologist has wide latitude to exercise independent judgment in
managing the scope of operations for an interdisciplinary mental health team. He/she reports directly to the
Clinical Director for the Mental Health Division, who assumes broad oversight. The Chief of Psychology
Service acts as approving official for the psychologist, to ensure adherence to professional standards of the
practice of psychology as well as fulfillment of responsibilities for training psychology interns. Work Schedule: 0800-1630Telework: Not AvailableVirtual: This is not a virtual position.Functional Statement #: 0000Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not AuthorizedEDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact
, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn morePermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not AuthorizedRequirements Conditions of EmploymentYou 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 12/31/1959.Must be proficient in written and spoken English.You may be required to serve a probationary period.Subject to background/security investigation.Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. QualificationsBasic 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: 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. 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. There are no job assignments in VHA that require the skills of a school psychologist; therefore, an applicant with a degree in the specialty area of school psychology is not eligible for appointment. Strictly for the purpose of determining eligibility for appointment as a psychologist in VHA, there is no distinction between the specialty areas (with the exception of school psychology). OR(2) 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:
(a) The re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and,(b) the specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. OR(3) Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.] AND (4) Internships
(a) 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(4) Internships
(a) 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,(b) 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,(d) 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,(e) 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. 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.
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: Psychology Program Manager, GS-14

Experience. At least three years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-13 grade level.Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
1. Ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlines.2. Knowledge of and ability to utilize evidence based practices and clinical practice guidelines appropriately and ability to guide staff in using these tools.3. Ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view.4. Skill in managing and directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives.5. Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations.6. Ability to establish and monitor production and performance priorities and standards7. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program.Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Exceptions: A pre-placement examination is required for any occupation or assignment that requires the operation of a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle in order to properly carry out assigned duties. Examinations may also be required for any occupation or assignment that requires a pre-placement examination by virtue of another policy, regulation, or statute
EducationIMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: . 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: .
Additional informationReceiving Service Credit or 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.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
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 applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. 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 benefitsEligibility 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 EvaluatedYou 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., and/or 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 candidate's 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.