Staff Psychologist (Residential Care)

The Staff Psychologist (Residential Care) provides comprehensive psychological services to residents in a residential care setting. Key responsibilities include: Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis: Conduct psychological evaluations, including diagnostic interviews, cognitive assessments, and personality testing. Develop differential diagnoses and formulate treatment plans based on evidence-based practices. Psychotherapy and Intervention: Provide individual, group, and family psychotherapy using modalities such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed care. Address a range of mental health conditions including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, PTSD, and substance use disorders. Crisis Intervention: Respond to acute psychological crises, conduct risk assessments for suicide and self-harm, and implement safety plans. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to manage behavioral emergencies. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Work closely with psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, and rehabilitation therapists to coordinate holistic care. Participate in treatment team meetings, case conferences, and discharge planning. Program Development and Evaluation: Contribute to the development and refinement of residential treatment programs. Collect and analyze outcome data to assess program effectiveness and recommend improvements. Supervision and Training: Supervise psychology interns, practicum students, and other trainees. Provide didactic training and clinical guidance to staff on psychological topics. Documentation and Compliance: Maintain timely and accurate clinical documentation in accordance with facility policies and regulatory standards. Ensure compliance with ethical guidelines and legal requirements. Consultation: Offer psychological consultation to staff regarding patient management, behavioral interventions, and milieu therapy strategies.

**Basic Requirements:** - U.S. Citizenship (non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited). - Proficiency in spoken and written English. **Education:** - Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-, PCSAS-, or CPA-accredited program, with a specialty area consistent with the assignment (clinical, counseling, or combined; school psychology is not eligible). - OR a doctoral degree in any area of psychology plus completion of an APA- or CPA-accredited re-specialization program in a relevant specialty. - OR a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally accredited institution with a primarily psychological dissertation. **Internship:** - Successful completion of an APA- or CPA-accredited professional psychology internship consistent with the assignment. - OR completion of a VHA-sanctioned internship program in the process of applying for APA accreditation. - OR completion of a full-time, one-year pre-doctoral internship at a VHA facility prior to 1979. - OR current board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a relevant specialty (if internship was not APA/CPA-accredited). - OR for degrees awarded 1951-1978, equivalent supervised internship experience acceptable to the doctoral program. **Licensure:** - Full, current, unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia. - Exception: Non-licensed applicants may receive a temporary appointment as a 'graduate psychologist' (GS-11/GS-12) for up to two years, under supervision, with termination if licensure is not obtained. **Additional Requirements:** - Must maintain required licensure; failure to do so may result in removal from the occupation. - Grandfathering provisions apply only to current VHA employees already in this occupation.

The Veterans Health Administration provides healthcare services to U.S. military veterans, operating medical centers like the Raymond G Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico.