Staff Psychologist (Primary Care Mental Health Integration)

Quick Facts

• Role: Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) therapist

• Work schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm

• EDRP eligibility: May be eligible for the VA Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) if application and eligibility conditions are met within required timelines.

Description

This Staff Psychologist role provides mental health services integrated into primary care, including evaluations and evidence-based brief psychotherapy in individual and group settings. You will assess depression, anxiety, substance abuse, adjustment to medical conditions, and emotional/cognitive functioning, and consult with ambulatory care staff and primary care providers. The work emphasizes treatment planning, risk assessment and intervention, referrals to other mental health programs, and timely clinical documentation.

Responsibilities

• Perform psychological evaluations for a range of presenting problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, substance use, adjustment to illness)

• Provide short-term, evidence-based psychotherapy and counseling in both individual and group formats

• Use assessments that connect test results to real-world functioning and successful treatment/management

• Consult with primary care providers and ambulatory care teams on psychosocial recovery and patient care considerations

• Develop treatment plans and recommendations; perform risk assessment and interventions

• Coordinate referrals to other mental health programs when indicated

• Assist Veterans in achieving psychosocial rehabilitation goals

• Provide clinical supervision to trainees and/or unlicensed staff when applicable

• Complete timely clinical charting and documentation

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship

• Proficiency in written and spoken English

• Subject to background/security investigation

• Complete required VA onboarding and pre-employment steps

• Selected applicants must pass urinalysis drug screening

• Selective Service registration (if applicable)

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program

• Doctoral degree in psychology from an approved program (APA/PCSAS/CPA pathways) or meet VA-approved alternatives, consistent with the assigned specialty area

• Completion of an APA- or CPA-accredited professional psychology internship (or VA-accepted alternatives)

• Full, current, unrestricted psychology licensure at the doctoral level (or limited temporary-appointment option for eligible non-licensed candidates under supervision)

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases

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

• Paid parental leave (after 12 months)

• Child care subsidy eligibility (after 60 days; income-based)

• Federal retirement pension and 401(k) with up to 5% employer contributions

• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care insurance options

Note: Telework is not available and this is not a virtual position.