Staff Psychologist- Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI)

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & 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 ineligible to apply.

This Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) Psychologist position is administratively aligned with the Mental Health Service and is assigned as a Collocated Collaborative Care (CCC) behavioral health consultant in Primary Care. The incumbent will work collaboratively within the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) to promote prevention, early identification, and treatment of most mild to moderate behavioral health and health behavior concerns as part of routine primary care. The PCMHI Psychologist provides brief, evidence-based interventions, education, and consultation services to Veterans, Primary Care Providers (PCPs), and allied PACT members. PCMHI visits are brief (generally, 30 minutes or less), limited in number (1-6 visits), and structured so that the patient views meeting with the behavioral health provider as a routine primary care service. PCMHI CCC psychologists integrate their practice into the fast-paced primary care clinic, engaging in a variety of team-based activities, including huddles, case review, consultation, and education. Direct service delivery occurs via brief, focused interventions with a large percentage of those being seen via in-person, warm handoff within PACT to ensure same day access. Work Schedule: (Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm) OR (Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm) Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55742F, 55743F, 55744F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for highly qualified candidates EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact (Damaris.Alvarez@va.gov), the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

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.