Staff Psychologist​/EDRP

Staff Psychologist – RECRUITMENT/RELOCATION INCENTIVE, EDRP AVAILABLE

Join to apply for the Staff Psychologist - RECRUITMENT/RELOCATION INCENTIVE, EDRP AVAILABLE role at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student‑loan payment reimbursement program. Eligibility is determined by VHA policy; applicants must submit an EDRP application within four months of appointment. Award amounts can be up to $200,000, and the eligibility period is one to five years, as determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program.

Applicants may be referred and tentatively selected while pending completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements, but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

• United States citizenship (non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy).
• Doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) – Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) or Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time the program was completed.
• • There are no VHA job assignments that require the skills of a school psychologist; therefore applicants with a degree in school psychology are not eligible for appointment.
• • For re‑specialization, a doctoral degree in any area of psychology with a completed re‑specialization program (including an approved internship) in an APA or CPA accredited program is required. The specialization must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.
• • Applicants with a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature meet the educational requirements.
• Internships must be a professional psychology internship program accredited by APA or CPA at the time of completion. Alternative internship programs sanctioned by VHA can be acceptable if they were in process of applying for accreditation.
• Applicants who completed an internship not accredited by APA or CPA may be considered eligible only if they are currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area consistent with the assignment. Board certification must be current and maintained.
• Licensure:
  Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
• Non‑licensed applicants who otherwise meet eligibility requirements may receive a temporary appointment as a "graduate psychologist" under 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B) for up to two years, provided care is supervised by a licensed psychologist.
• Failure to obtain or maintain required licensure or board certification results in termination or removal from the occupation.
• English language proficiency:
  Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English, in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 – Part II.

Experience and KSAs for the desired grade level:

• GS-12:
  At least one year of professional psychologist experience equivalent to the GS‑11 level.
• GS-11:
  None beyond the basic requirements.
• Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities in:
  • Applying a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to diverse patient populations.
  • Designing and implementing effective treatment strategies.
  • Incorporating new clinical procedures.
  • Conducting research activities, including designing and implementing clinical research projects (for staff psychologists with specified research duties).
  • Performing basic research tasks within a research team – participant relations, data acquisition, documentation, and collaboration.

• This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut‑off date is Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
• Additional applications will be referred as needed; applications expire after 90 days.
• Clinical responsibilities include:
  • Full range of psycho‑diagnostic services – assessment and evidence‑based psychotherapy.
  • Psychological evaluations for veterans…