Psychologist (VISN Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team)
The incumbent serves as the psychologist for this VISN-level inter-professional group of clinical reviewers-the CSP's Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT). The CEAT is responsible for reviewing complex PCAFC eligibility cases for admission, ongoing level of care adjustments, and discharge appropriateness. The CEAT is also responsible for adjudicating PCAFC applicant and participant first-level appeals, sent from other CEATs, within the same region and second-level appeals sent by CEATs based in other regions of the country. Each individual CEAT team member will review the Veteran's medical record summary, most recent History & Physical, findings of recent testing at the facility, caregiver assessment and care team input. The team member will present their respective findings to the inter-professional team. The team will meet and render a multi-disciplinary decision regarding clinical eligibility, based on all eligibility requirements. If deemed eligible, the team will also determine the appropriate level of caregiving required (tier level). Each team will document the findings and determination and communicate the decision with the referring facility or region. Teams may be virtual teams and telework may be possible for this position. Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Administrative Responsibilities (at least 75%) 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 inter-professional 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 (1 to 20%):
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 - Friday, 8:
00 a.m. to 4:
30 p.m. Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Basic Requirements:
United States Citizenship:
Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education:
Candidates must meet one of the following:
Have a doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time the program was completed. The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed, OR Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully complete a re-specialization program (including documentation of an approved internship completed as part of the re-specialization program) meeting both of the following conditions:
a.) the re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and b.) the specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed, OR Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature. Internships:
Candidates must meet one of the following:
Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that was accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed and that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed OR New VHA psychology internship programs that are in the process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement, provided that such programs were sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an intern OR VHA facilities that offered full-time, one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre-1979) are considered to be acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement OR Applicants who completed an internship that was not accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed may be considered eligible for hire only if they are currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed OR Applicants who have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature may fulfill this internship requirement by having the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience in a site specifically acceptable to the candidate's doctoral program. If the internship experience is not noted on the applicant's official transcript, the applicant must provide a statement from the doctoral program verifying that the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience was completed in a site acceptable to the doctoral program. Licensure:
Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Grade Determinations:
GS-13 Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health. Knowledge of clinical research literature. Preferred
Experience:
Neuro-psych experience and training References:
VA Handbook 5005/103, Part II, Appendix G18, dated February 7, 2018.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Administrative Responsibilities (at least 75%) 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 inter-professional 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 (1 to 20%):
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 - Friday, 8:
00 a.m. to 4:
30 p.m. Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Basic Requirements:
United States Citizenship:
Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education:
Candidates must meet one of the following:
Have a doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time the program was completed. The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed, OR Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully complete a re-specialization program (including documentation of an approved internship completed as part of the re-specialization program) meeting both of the following conditions:
a.) the re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and b.) the specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed, OR Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature. Internships:
Candidates must meet one of the following:
Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that was accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed and that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed OR New VHA psychology internship programs that are in the process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement, provided that such programs were sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an intern OR VHA facilities that offered full-time, one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre-1979) are considered to be acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement OR Applicants who completed an internship that was not accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed may be considered eligible for hire only if they are currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed OR Applicants who have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature may fulfill this internship requirement by having the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience in a site specifically acceptable to the candidate's doctoral program. If the internship experience is not noted on the applicant's official transcript, the applicant must provide a statement from the doctoral program verifying that the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience was completed in a site acceptable to the doctoral program. Licensure:
Hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia. Grade Determinations:
GS-13 Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must have at least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations. Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health. Knowledge of clinical research literature. Preferred
Experience:
Neuro-psych experience and training References:
VA Handbook 5005/103, Part II, Appendix G18, dated February 7, 2018.
- Department:
0180 Psychology - Salary Range:
$93,945 to $122,132 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
|
|
 | |
