Psychologist, Assistant Chief (Mental Health Medical Programs)

Quick Facts

• Role: Psychologist—Assistant Chief of Mental Health for Medical Programs

• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

• Telework: Not authorized

• Virtual: Not a virtual position

Description

The Associate Chief of Mental Health for Medical Programs provides senior leadership and oversight for multiple mental health service programs, ensuring high-quality clinical care and administrative management. The role supervises program leadership, manages quality control and performance measures, and consults mental health clinicians on complex cases. It also supports recovery-focused integration across services and may provide coverage for senior leadership during absences.

Responsibilities

• Assist the ACOS in overall operation of Mental Health Service

• Provide supervisory responsibility across multiple programs (e.g., IPU, SARRTP, SOAR, Medical Psychiatry, ACT, and others as assigned)

• Maintain a high-quality mental health service meeting VISN and VACO Environment of Care and program requirements

• Collaborate with senior mental health leadership and medical departments

• Foster cohesive interdisciplinary team environments within programs

• Oversee quality control and performance measures with senior leadership

• Integrate recovery-focused treatment elements with the Local Recovery Coordinator

• Ensure compliance and execution of mental health performance measures, workload tracking/VERA capture, veteran satisfaction, and quality assurance

• Meet with veterans needing service-recovery

• Provide consultation to clinicians regarding complex cases, especially serious mental illness and substance use disorders

• Participate in clinical leadership meetings and senior decision-making

• Complete requested quality measures and reports for VASLCHCS, VISN 19, and VA Central Office

• Work with senior supervisors and clinicians on performance, workload, and veteran satisfaction

• Provide coverage for senior leaders (ACOS/DACOS/Associate Chief of Community Programs) during their absence

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship

• Proficiency in written and spoken English

• Subject to background/security investigation

• Complete online onboarding and pre-employment requirements

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program

• Doctoral degree in psychology (APA/PCSAS/CPA accredited) or doctoral degree plus an approved APA/CPA re-specialization program consistent with the assignment, or a 1951–1978 doctoral degree with a primarily psychological dissertation

• Completion of an APA/CPA-accredited professional psychology internship (or approved equivalent per posting)

• Full, current, unrestricted doctoral-level license to practice psychology in a U.S. state/territory/commonwealth or DC

• At least three years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to GS-13 for the GS-14 Assistant Chief level

• Ability to demonstrate required KSAs (evidence-based practices, clinical consultation, organization/prioritization/delegation, supervision, conflict resolution)

• Selective Service registration requirement for eligible males (born after 12/31/1959)

• Ability to pass urinalysis testing if selected for a testing-designated position

• Ability to meet stated physical requirements (light/sedentary work with occasional moderate demands)

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases

• Paid Time Off: 37–50 days annually (13–26 annual leave, 13 sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays)

• Parental leave: up to 12 weeks paid after 12 months of employment

• Child care subsidy: after 60 days for eligible full-time employees with family income below $144,000 (up to 25% of eligible costs; monthly max $416.66)

• Retirement: traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% contributions

• Insurance: federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care options

• Comprehensive federal benefits package (eligibility depends on position type)