Staff Psychologist – Pain

Overview

This position may be eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your 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 complete review of the EDRP application.

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your 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 complete review of the EDRP application.

Location:

Lincoln, NE
• 1 vacancy
• Full-time
• Excepted service
• GS-11 to GS-13 level

Salary Range: $91,744 to $169,992 per year

Work Schedule:

Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm

Remote:
No
• Telework eligible:
No
• Travel: 25% or less

• Provide pain psychology services within the Integrative Pain Team; biofeedback is a major emphasis for pain, mental health, and related conditions. Deliver care through a mix of virtual/telehealth and in-person services as part of an interprofessional pain care team within the Biopsychosocial Model of Pain Care and VA Stepped Care Model for Pain Management.
• Offer a full range of psychological assessments and diagnoses, referring to other providers as indicated.
• Provide comprehensive, evidence-based behavioral interventions for pain (e.g., CBT for Chronic Pain) including individual and group therapy.
• Apply a biopsychosocial approach and collaborate with other pain specialists to deliver integrated care.
• Utilize biofeedback as a major emphasis area for pain and other conditions; provide education on pain topics to patients and families.
• Conduct psychological assessments as needed, including evaluations for pre-surgical implantable devices.
• Develop and implement treatment plans for adults with complex pain, including considerations of Opioid Use Disorder; coordinate with the care team.
• Employ multimodal treatment modalities (biofeedback, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, CBT for Pain and Insomnia, ACT, PRT, relaxation, hypnosis, etc.).
• Collaborate with team members to maximize use of integrative health therapies and active pain management strategies.
• Review medical records to identify patients at risk of opioid-related issues and provide recommendations to primary care providers.

Basic Requirements
:

• United States Citizenship required.
• English Language Proficiency:
  Proficient in spoken and written English.
• Education:
  
  Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA/PCSAS/CPA-accredited program; specialty must align with the assignment. OR completion of a re-specialization program in an APA/CPA-accredited program with a matching specialty.
• Internship:
  Documented APA/CPA-accredited internship or equivalent as specified; board certification may substitute in some cases.
• Licensure:
  Full, current, unrestricted license in psychology at the doctoral level in the U.S. or D.C.; temporary graduate psychologist appointment may be possible for non-licensed applicants under supervision.

Grade Determinations
:

• GS-11 – Entry level, no additional experience required beyond basic requirements.
• GS-12 – Developmental level; at least 1 year of professional experience at GS-11 or equivalent; includes KSAs.
• GS-13 – Full performance level; at least 2 years of experience, with demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities in professional psychology practice and consultation.

Reference
:
For more information on qualification standards, see the VA Qualification Standards. The full performance level is GS-13; the actual selection range is GS-11 to GS-13.

IMPORTANT: a transcript must be submitted with your application. Education must be accredited as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If using…