Psychology Program Manager - Psychology Training Program Manager

at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration in Augusta, Maine, United States

Job Description

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Responsibilities Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Psychology Training is a program of the Mental Health Service (MHS) that encompasses all levels of psychology training within the VA (pre-graduate practicum and internship, as well as post-graduate fellowship training), along with associated clinical, administrative, and program development activities. The Psychology Program Manager (Psychology Training Director) reports directly to the Deputy Associate Chief of Staff (D-ACOS) / Chief Psychologist for Mental Health or their designee; and shares responsibility with other MH Program Managers and Section Leads, along with the ACOS and D-ACOSs of MHS for the overall quality of MHS clinical services and operations. Duties may include, but are not limited to: Program Management Responsibilities Serves as the Training Director for organized Clinical Psychology Training Programs within the Mental Health Service at VA Maine Healthcare System. Responsible for the organization, direction, and management of these programs and has been delegated full managerial and supervisory responsibilities for all trainees within them. Collaborates with Mental Health Administration, Section Leads, Human Resources, and others as necessary in the recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and retention of advanced healthcare trainees. Clinical Service Provision Responsibilities Provides the full range of direct patient care services within the assigned clinical team, consistent with the Incumbent’s scope of competence. Services include assessment, intervention, consultation, supervision, and education. Provides psychological assessment and diagnosis of mental disorders, including for complex and/or difficult patients. Provides comprehensive, evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions including individual and group therapy. Develops, implements, and documents the psychotherapeutic treatment plan for an assigned caseload of patients, including prompt completion of clinical reminders. Enriching Elements As appropriate, engages in research and education activities that advance the mission of MHS, VA Maine, and VHA. Provides clinical supervision for doctoral psychology students and interns, postdoctoral psychology residents, and other advanced healthcare trainees. Supports academic/training activities with the University of Maine and other academic affiliates in support of the VA training mission. Other Responsibilities Fosters accountability among all employees directly supervised by the incumbent. Communicates actively and effectively to maintain and strengthen relationships and collaboration among the various stakeholders that interact with psychology training both within and outside of MHS. Service on workgroups, committees, or tasks forces of the Healthcare System, professional organizations, and/or other stakeholders. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 7:30a.m. to 4p.m. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Hannah.Neilson@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more EDRP Assignment code: 00 Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: May be authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:F07672 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required NOTIFICATIONS: This position is covered by a special rate. Travel and relocation expenses are not authorized. This position is not a Bargaining Unit position. May be required to attend conference at other facilities or other VA sites on occasion. Selectee may be required to work at any VA Maine Healthcare System campus, as needed. The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC’s. Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) will be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment. 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. Subject to background/security investigation. May be subject to satisfactory completion of our credentialing process. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver’s licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the “Required Documents” section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States 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. 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 requ