Duties

Program Management & Supervisory Responsibilities:

The incumbent is responsible for monitoring the efficiency, effectiveness, timeliness, and
quality of Caregiver mental health services. Coordinates performance targets using
evidence-based practice to systematically influence VISN improvements.

Provides operational oversight for the CRH Caregiver Support mental health services and
directs clinical functions, such as timely therapy assignments and accurate documentation in the electronic health medical records system.

The incumbent conducts and analyzes studies and projects fundamental to planning,
programming, and budgeting of the program such as forecasts of technological changes, utilization patterns, future workloads, staffing projection and cost comparisons providing feedback and recommendations to VISN Leadership that reflect current standards and expectations provided by VA Central Office.

The incumbent develops liaison contacts with VA program offices; VISN staff; VHA
facility management and Clinical Services across VISN's as appropriate.

The incumbent administers information and analytical systems to evaluate and enhance
the quality of service provided to Caregivers and their families.

The incumbent develops and implements information systems to track program activities,
as well as guidelines and protocols to establish appropriate utilization of services.

The incumbent supports the coordination of services and ongoing communication with all
stakeholders, consumers, Veteran Service Organizations, VA Central Office staff, and
others.

The incumbent contributes significantly to the VISN, VACO, VHA, and Department
policy and management decision-making processes. the incumbent coordinates and reviews VA and VHA policies, and may develop VISN wide- policies, pertaining to the provision of the CRH Caregiver Support Program.

Directly supervises a group of employees performing work at various GS levels, who are
located at remote locations and time zones across the US providing care to virtual spoke
sites throughout VISN 06.

Provides administrative, technical, and clinical supervision necessary for accomplishing
the work of the program, including outreach efforts and efforts at other sites within the
Health Care System.

The incumbent establishes guidelines and performance expectations for the program.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

This is not an all inclusive list of duties

Work Schedule:8:00am to 4:30p Monday to Friday
Compressed/Flexible: No
Telework: Yes, Virtual Position
Virtual: This is a virtual position.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

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 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.
• Must pass pre-employment Occupational Health Evaluation.
• 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.

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS
The basic requirements for employment as a VHA psychologist are prescribed by Public Law 96-151 codified in 38 U.S.C. § 7402. To qualify for appointment, all applicants for the position of psychologist in VHA must meet the following:
a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.g, this part.)
b. Education
(1) 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.
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,
NOTE: The applicant must provide an official transcript and/or certificate documenting the completion of the re-specialization program, which includes completion of an APA or CPA internship. [Psychologists who have successfully completed a re-specialization program as described above and who were employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs prior to the implementation of this standard are considered to have fully met the educational requirements of these qualification standards. ]
[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
(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
(c) 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
(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.
NOTE: Psychologists who meet the requirements of this revision and who were employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs prior to the implementation of this standard are considered to have fully met the requirements of this qualification standard.] c. 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.
Board Certification and Loss of Credential
(1) Board Certification. Persons hired to psychology positions in the VHA 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.
English Language Proficiency. Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.
Grade Determinations:
Psychology Program Manager, GS-14
(a) Experience. At least three years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-13 grade level.
(b) 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.
(c) Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Psychologist program managers have broad program management

Preferred Experience:

• Extensive knowledge of the VISN 6 Caregiver Support Program's mission, goals and objectives, organizational structure, cross-site and national functions, procedures, and policies.
• Knowledge of principles, concepts, policies, techniques, and procedures to coordinate and make recommendations in the development of long- and short-range program and evaluation plans, and to coordinate the monitoring of program and resources against these plans.
• Provide consultation and communicate effectively with researchers, educators, clinicians, senior management and leadership, employees, and stakeholders.
• Background in mental health science including knowledge of new developments or of experimental theories, combined with experience, judgment, planning, analysis and evaluation, administration, technical assistance, management and coordination of federal health programs.
• Organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlines.
• Skill in managing and directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives.
• Ability to work, communicate, lead effectively, and resolve conflict with individuals or groups representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view.
• Work effectively and collaboratively with all the relevant parties within the context of a matrixed supervisory organization to develop and support sound operations.
• Translate and align medical center, VISN, and national VA priorities into specific local policies and operations and to align specific operational tasks with broad VA strategic goals and priorities.
• Understand and support center operations, such as policies, budget management, funding appropriation laws, and research and administrative regulations.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/103 PART II APPENDIX G18 FEBRUARY 7, 2018 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 14.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education

IMPORTANT: 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

Receiving 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.

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.