Staff Psychologist - BHIP Therapist

Full-time clinician in the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program at the Erie West VA Outpatient Clinic, providing recovery-oriented, trauma-informed outpatient mental health care to Veterans. Responsibilities include psychotherapy, psychosocial assessment, crisis intervention, and stabilization within a multidisciplinary team supporting Veterans' resilience and long-term recovery.

VA Careers - Psychologist: https://youtube.com/embed/77qHlLw9Xck Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional 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. Competence and comfort in providing clinical care both virtually through telehealth and in person are required. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not authorized. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized. EDRP Authorized: Position(s) listed under this Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) MAY be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. Applicants selected for an EDRP-eligible position will be notified in their conditional job offer. The selectee must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit an 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 review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. 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)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). Telework: Not authorizedVirtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized.

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 evaluation/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.