Psychologist (BHIP)

Position(s) listed under this OCA MAY be eligible for EDRP, a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants selected for an eligible position will be notified in their conditional job offer. The selectee must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount and eligibility period are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services office. Former participants are ineligible to apply

The Staff Psychologist serves as a full-time member of the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program (BHIP) within the Mental Health ICC at the Syracuse VA Medical Center. The incumbent provides outpatient mental health services to Veterans enrolled at the Syracuse VAMC and its Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs). The Syracuse VAMC is a large, complexity level 1C facility offering comprehensive healthcare services across thirteen counties, supported by seven CBOCs. As an affiliated tertiary care system, it provides a wide range of specialized programs. This role focuses on delivering outpatient psychological services to Veterans. Key responsibilities include providing evidence-based psychotherapy, conducting psychosocial assessments, developing treatment plans, and offering crisis intervention and stabilization. The psychologist will deliver both in-person and telehealth services and may facilitate therapeutic groups as needed. Collaboration with Veterans, caregivers, and interdisciplinary team members is essential to ensure coordinated, recovery-oriented care. Major Duties and Responsibilities, include but are not limited to: - Provide evidence-based, recovery-oriented, strength-based, and trauma-informed mental health care, collaborating with Veterans and their identified Caregivers to determine appropriate clinical interventions. - Conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments and develop individualized treatment plans with measurable, attainable goals, incorporating Measurement-Based Care tools. - Demonstrate knowledge of treatment protocols for a range of psychiatric disorders and competence in evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). Maintain general understanding of common psychotropic medications and their effects. - Accurately use mental health and medical terminology to support effective communication with interdisciplinary team members. - Complete timely, thorough clinical documentation in the electronic health record and review interdisciplinary notes to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care. -Perform rapid assessments and develop crisis intervention plans, including determining the need for psychiatric hospitalization or readiness for admission to mental health or substance use residential programs. - Participate in collaborative clinical discussions and advocate for Veterans' psychosocial and mental health needs, particularly as they relate to treatment engagement and adherence. - Routinely assess Veterans' mental health status throughout the course of treatment and coordinate with the care team to support appropriate transitions to the least restrictive level of care while maintaining clinical stability. Implement timely and effective discharge or transition plans. - Maintain a general understanding of available Veteran benefits, services, and specialized programs. - Demonstrate flexibility by assuming additional responsibilities as needed to support the mission of the organization, the outpatient mental health service line, and the Veterans served. - Engage in ongoing professional development through self-assessment, supervision, and participation in clinical discussions. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VISN2EDRPCoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases, When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. 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)

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. 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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.