Staff Psychologist

Veterans Health Administration; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 151,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Recruitment incentive

Relocation incentive

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in Des Moines, IA, seeks a psychologist to join the Centralized Eligibility and Appeal Team (CEAT) within the VISN-level interprofessional group. The role includes PCAFC eligibility reviews, clinical assessments, and inter-rater collaboration to ensure objective determinations and coordinated communication.

The incumbent provides psychodiagnostic evaluations, evidence-based therapy, supervision, and may contribute as PI/Co-I on projects.

Qualifications

• Education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.
• If using foreign education, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript to receive credit for that education.

Responsibilities

• Reviews dispositions of PCAFC initial eligibility decisions; reassessments; and appeal decisions for clinical eligibility determinations within 45 days of receipt.
• Analyzes mental health data from VHA EHR and collateral records to assist PCAFC eligibility determinations and documents findings in CSP PCAFC templated notes.

Job description

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The incumbent serves as the psychologist for this VISN-level interprofessional group of clinical reviewers-the CSP's Centralized Eligibility and Appeal Team (CEAT). The CEAT is responsible for reviewing complex PCAFC eligibility cases for admission, ongoing level of care adjustments, and discharge appropriateness. A recruitment/relocation incentive may authorized for highly qualified applicants.

Key Responsibilities

This is an OPEN CONTINOUS ANNOUNCEMENT. We are accepting applications on an ongoing basis; applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis, as long as the vacancy exists.

VA Careers - Psychologist: https://youtube.com/embed/77qHlLw9Xck Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include, but are not limited to: Administrative Responsibilities: Reviews dispositions of PCAFC initial eligibility decisions; reassessments; and appeal decisions for clinical eligibly determinations, within 45 days of receipt from facilities and other CSP VISN CEAT. This is done from a psychological perspective.

Analyzes mental health data obtained from VHA electronic health record and collateral records for use in determining PCAFC clinical eligibility and documents findings in approved CSP PCAFC templated notes.

Works with interprofessional team members at Regional, VISN and facility levels to ensure PCAFC eligibility determinations are delivered objectively with strong, consistent inter-rater agreement and with documentation and communication of outcomes in a direct and coordinated manner. Utilizes knowledge of PCAFC clinical eligibility to coordinate with other regional CEATs the transfer of appeals for inter-VISN evaluation.

Brings a knowledge of and ability to administer, score and interpret the widest array of psychometric psychological assessments (e.g., attention/concentration, memory, executive functioning, intelligence, reasoning and judgement) to assist CEAT with case disposition and team's recommendations. Conducts Peer Reviews from a psychological standpoint, which may occur at the regional level, to aide in achieving consistency nationally.

Collaborates with and contributes knowledge to a community of practice across VISN's and Regions with CSP CSC's and CEAT members. Facility Responsibilities: Provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services including use of psychological testing for non-CSP PCAFC applicants. Performs psychological evaluations for individuals with mental health and medical disorders for purposes of diagnostic clarification and treatment planning recommendations.

Provide comprehensive, evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, including individual, family, and group psychotherapy. Provides education to patients, family members, significant others, and community members. Functions as a member of the assigned mental health or specialty mental health care team. The incumbent assumes complete professional responsibility for his/her clinical findings, patient care decisions, and documentation.

Provides clinical supervision and instruction for psychology interns and post-doctoral residents. Evaluates program progress and outcomes and utilizes data to continuously modify and improve the program and processes. May serve as Principal Investigator, Co-Investigator, or Consultant on projects approved by appropriate IRB's. Serves on Medical Center or Healthcare System, VISN, and/or National VA committees or task forces.

Represents Psychology on decision-making committees at the Medical Center or Healthcare System. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 07:30 to 16:00 Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized for highly qualified applicants. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year).

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Ad-Hoc only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Requirements & Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Which agency is hiring for this position?

This position is with Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

What is the salary for this position?

The posted pay range is $74678 – $150852/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-09-30.

Who is eligible to apply?

This position is open under the 'Fed Internal Search' hiring path.

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Source: USAJOBS.gov — U.S. Federal Government