Staff Psychologist - Primary Care Mental Health Integration

Veterans Health Administration; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 82,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

Veterans Health Administration in Des Moines, IA seeks a Staff Psychologist for Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI). The position offers federal benefits with a comprehensive pay range and opportunities for professional development.

Close date extended to 2026-09-30 and education debt reduction program eligibility is noted. Clinical duties include assessments, evidence-based psychotherapies, documentation, supervision, and collaboration within multidisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Transcript must be submitted with your application.
• Education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be used to qualify for Federal employment.
• Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript is required if using foreign education.

Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive psychological assessments and formulates diagnostic impressions using standardized methods.
• Delivers evidence-based psychotherapy for mental health and related concerns within clinical privileges.
• Completes required clinical documentation and charting within system timelines and standards.
• Provides clinical supervision to unlicensed staff and trainees and guides staff in psychological service delivery.
• Offers education to patients and families on mental health conditions and treatment approaches.
• Performs risk assessments for self-harm or harm to others and implements suicide prevention procedures.

Job description

Staff Psychologist - Primary Care Mental Health Integration

• Department: Department of Veterans Affairs

The VA Central Iowa Health Care System is hiring 3 full-time Staff Psychologists for its Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) program at the South Des Moines VA Clinic (1211 E Army Post Rd, Des Moines, IA). This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP). The close date of this announcement has been extended to 09/30/2026.

Key Responsibilities

VA Careers - Psychologist: https://youtube.com/embed/77qHlLw9Xck Psychologists conduct psychological assessments, diagnose mental disorders, treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities (e.g., individual, family and group psychotherapies and other interventions such as behavioral health and community interventions), provide adjunctive interventions for the treatment of medical disorders,, and provide behavioral health consultation to providers on medical, mental health, and a variety of other patient care issues.

Psychologists administer and interpret psychological tests, including but not limited to tests of ability, aptitude, achievement, interests, personality, cognitive functioning, and mental health. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Conducts comprehensive psychological assessments and formulates diagnostic impressions using standardized and clinically appropriate methods.
• Delivers evidence-based and evidence-informed psychotherapy for mental health, substance use, behavioral, and psychosocial concerns within granted clinical privileges.
• Completes all required clinical documentation and charting in accordance with healthcare system timelines, quality standards, and accreditation requirements.
• Provides clinical supervision to unlicensed staff and trainees, guidance and education to assigned staff in psychological service delivery.
• Serves as a resource to other professional personnel by offering consultation regarding psychological services and treatment planning.
• Offers education to patients, patients' family members, professional staff, and trainees on mental health conditions and treatment approaches.
• Performs risk assessments for self-harm or harm to others and implements suicide prevention and crisis management procedures.
• Functions as a contributing member of multidisciplinary medical and mental health teams in inpatient, outpatient, or specialty care settings.
• Participates in performance improvement and quality assurance activities relevant to psychological services and assigned clinical programs.
• Abides by the ethical principles addressed by psychology licensing boards.
• Supports and/or participates in scientific activity.
• May serve on internal and external committees.
• May have administrative responsibilities of limited scope and complexity.

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit our 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 review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

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) 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: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 99256, 99255, 99253 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.

As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Requirements & Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

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 $82193 – $152294/yr.

What is the application deadline?

Applications close on 2026-09-30.

How many openings are available?

There are 3 openings for this position.

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