DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

**VA HEALTHCARE NETWORK UPSTATE NEW YORK**

**ALBANY, NEW YORK 12208**

**VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 528D-09-061**

## OPENING DATE: 12/18/08 CLOSING DATE: 1/1/09

**POSITION:** Psychologist, GS-180-13

**SALARY RANGE:** GS-13 \$77,670 -- 100,976 per annum

> (The salary for this position will be set by the Psychologist
> Professional Standards based on the candidate's credentials)

**DUTY LOCATION:** Behavioral Health Care Line, Stratton VA Medical
Center, Albany, NY

Chemical Dependency Rehabilitation Program (PTSD focus)

**TOUR OF DUTY:** Full-time (40 hours per week) -- Permanent

**WHO MAY APPLY:** Open to any qualified candidate.

**NUMBER OF VACANCIES:** 1

**DUTIES:** Incumbent assigned to this position serves veterans with
mental health and substance abuse problems, who are seen in the Chemical
Dependency Rehabilitation Program. Incumbent will specifically address
the complex needs of veterans with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
and co-morbid Substance Abuse Disorders. He/she will successfully
coordinate service delivery with the Lead Psychologist for the PTSD
program, the Military Sexual Trauma (MST) Coordinator, and OEF/OIF
Program Manager. Incumbent possesses expertise in sub-specialties of
PTSD, addictions including nicotine abuse/dependence, and experience
working with patients with dual diagnoses. The position requires the
provision of mental health services, including focused psychological
assessments and brief consultation/ psychotherapy, motivational
interviewing, crisis intervention, group therapy, psychoeducational
programs including smoking cessation, and referrals to other agencies
when appropriate.  Knowledge of community resources and veterans
benefits is required.  Collaboration with interdisciplinary team members
is also an important part of the position.  Face-to-face and telehealth
modalities will be utilized.

**The applicant selected for this position will be eligible to apply for
an education loan reimbursement award under the provisions of the
Education Debt Reduction Program subject to availability of EDRP
funding.**

**QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:**

**BASIC REQUIREMENTS:** The basic requirements for employment as a VHA
psychologist are prescribed by: Public Law 96-151 codified in Title 38,
U.S.C. § 7402. To qualify for appointment, all applicants for the
position of psychologist in VHA must meet the following:

a\. **Citizenship.** 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 3g, this part.)

b\. **Education**

\(1\) Have a doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program in
psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).
The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment
for which the applicant is to be employed.

**AND**

\(2\) Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship
training program that has been accredited by APA. Exceptions: (1) new
VHA psychology internship programs that are in the process of applying
for APA accreditation are acceptable in fulfillment of the internship
requirement, provided that such programs were sanctioned by the VHA
Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Central
Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an
intern and (2) VHA facilities who offered full one-year pre-doctoral
internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre-1979) are considered to be
acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement.

\(c\) **Licensure.** Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to
practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory,
Commonwealth of the United States (e.g., Puerto Rico), or the District
of Columbia.

**EXPERIENCE:** GS-13: Two years of postdoctoral experience as described
as experience for GS-12.

**Time in Grade Requirement:** Candidates must have completed a minimum
of 52 weeks in a position no lower than GS-12 to qualify for GS-13.

**English Language Proficiency:** If you are appointed to a direct
patient-care position or position incident to direct patient care,
proficiency in spoken and written English is required in accordance with
38 USC 4105(c).

**Drug Testing:** This is a testing designated position (TDP) under the
VA Drug-Free Workplace Program. If you are tentatively selected for the
position and are not now in a TDP subject to random testing, you may be
subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to final
selection. Applicants who refuse to be tested will not be selected.
Appointment to this position will not be effected if there is a verified
positive drug test result.

**Physical Requirements:** All selected candidates will be required to
pass a medical examination if they are selected for a position in which
there are physical requirements. This will be effective as of August 1,
2008.

**Background Investigation:** Appointment to this position is contingent
upon satisfactory completion of the required background investigation.

**BASIS OF RATING:** All relevant information available on each
candidate, i.e., application, supplemental qualifications statement,
appraisals, awards, rating panel, interview, will be used to determine
the best qualified candidates.

**KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSA's):** Please explain how your
experience (including non-paid), education, training, job related honors
and awards indicate you meet the rating factors. All applicants should
provide clear, concise examples that show level of accomplishment or
degree to which they possess the KSA's.

1\. Describe your achievements in using your skills to resolve
interpersonal issues on a team or other organizational level.

2\. Describe your achievements in psychological assessment and providing
consultation to medical service areas, e.g., primary medical care
providers, medical specialty clinics, and/or a multidisciplinary team.

3\. Describe your achievements in planning, carrying out, and evaluating
the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions, indicating the
breadth of strategies used and the complexity of the problems
encountered.

4\. Describe how you have demonstrated your ability to develop and
administer psychological programs.

5\. Describe your achievements in evaluating the effectiveness of
psychological or related programs.

**CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (CTAP) EMPLOYEES**: (1) Must be a
current VA employee identified as displaced or surplus serving on a
career or career-conditional competitive appointment, or an excepted
service appointment without a time limit. (2) The vacancy is at or below
the grade level and with no greater promotion potential than the
position from which you have or may be separated. (3) You are found to
be well-qualified. To be considered well-qualified you must meet the
minimum education, experience, suitability and physical requirements.
You must also meet all selective factors, where applicable, and exceed
the minimum qualifications of the position for all knowledge, skills,
abilities and other characteristic factors. (4) You must occupy a
position in the same local commuting area of the position for which you
are applying. Individuals seeking CTAP must submit a copy of their
Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, or Certificate of Expected
Separation; a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action,
SF-50B that shows tenure and position occupied; and a copy of our most
recent performance rating of record.

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## REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the servicing Human Resources Office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. 

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## [HOW TO APPLY:]{.underline} Submit: 

## VA Form 10-2850c, "Application for Associated Health Occupations";

## Resume or CV 

## Copy of your \*transcripts(s); and 

1.  Responses to Knowledge, Skills and Abilities using plain bond paper

2.  OF-306 Declaration of Federal Employment

3.  Copy of Psychology license

Please send you complete application package to:

## Human Resources Management (05)

> Mary Ellen Mahar

## VA Medical Center

## 113 Holland Avenue

## Albany, NY 11108

## \*Student copy acceptable; official transcripts required if hired.

**NO POSTAGE PAID ENVELOPE:** Applications mailed using government
postage and/or internal federal government mail systems are in violation
of VA and postal regulations will not be accepted.

**FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:** Mary Ellen Mahar (518)626-7091 or Jennifer
Yezzi (518)626-6766

**INTERVIEWS:** Any interviews that may be conducted for this position
will use the Performance Based Interviewing (PBI) process. Further
information is available at [www.va.gov/pbi](http://www.va.gov/pbi)

**EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:** Selection for this position will be
based solely on merit without regard to race, color, religion, age,
gender, national origin, political affiliation, disability, sexual
orientation, marital or family status or other differences.

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