Licensed Psychologist

Position Title: Licensed Psychologist 

Position start date: ASAP 

Status: Casual/Intermittent (approximately 19 hours/wk.), not benefits eligible 

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, variable hours between 8:00am to 4:30pm 

Service/Division: Research - Psychiatry

Work Location: VMRF/VA

Job Code: SN 1391

Salary: $65.00 - $67.31 per hour

Provide Prolonged Exposure Therapy and other trauma-focused therapies to Veterans with PTSD and comorbidities such a substance use disorder in the context of a research study. Participate in study coordination, management, and clinical supervision.

Clinical:

1. Incumbent will provide psychodiagnostic assessments to diagnose mental disorders, perform risk assessment and crisis intervention, administer psychological and/or neuropsychological assessment, and provide psychological interventions in the context of a research study.

2. Provides psychoeducation to patients, family members, and significant others.

3. Provides comprehensive, evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, including Prolonged Exposure Therapy and Trauma Informed Guilt Reduction Therapy.

4. Develops, implements, and documents the psychotherapeutic treatment plan for assigned patients, including prompt completion of clinical reminders and other required documentation.

5. Rate fidelity and interrater reliability.

6. Functions independently as a member of the VASDHS Medical Staff, with full clinical privileges. Assumes professional responsibility for his/her clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation.

Administrative Responsibilities: 

1. Assists the study Principal Investigator and investigator team in the design, development, and implementation of clinical intervention within the context of a research study.

2. Adheres to operational policies and procedures for the research study and those established by the VASDHS and the Associate Chief of Staff of the Mental Health Care Line. 

3. Assists the PI, co-Is and study coordinator in the execution of the study.

4. Collaborates with other health care programs to effectively coordinate services.

5. Complies with national and local performance measures.

6. Complies with all CPRS documentation procedures, including timeliness standards for documentation, proper patient checks out procedures (e.g., entering diagnostic and procedure codes), and return to clinic orders.

7. Attends and participates in administrative and informational meetings held by the study team, Psychology Service (or designee), Mental Health Care Line, and the facility.

8. Complies with Psychology Service peer review procedures.

9. Assists with preparations for human subjects review board audits and reviews.

Education and Training: 

1. The incumbent may supervise psychology interns, psychology practicum students, and psychology fellows in study-related assessment and treatments.

2. According to VASDHS Bylaws, all psychologists providing clinical supervision of trainees and/or teaching in VASDHS training programs will be required to have a faculty appointment in the Department of Psychiatry at University of California, San Diego.

Research: 

1. The incumbent will assist with conducting the research study as time permits including coordinating participant flow through the study. 

2. The incumbent will participate in therapist meetings and other study meetings as needed.

3. The incumbent may participate in manuscript preparation. 

4. The incumbent may provide presentations at regional or national scientific of research findings to professional audience

Skills and Abilities:

1. Prior experience treating PTSD with Prolonged Exposure Therapy or other trauma focused approaches.

2. Knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations.

3. Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies.

4. Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures.

5. Ability to conduct research activities. 

6. Ability to perform research tasks of scholarship and research execution within the context of an established research team, including research participant relations, research documentation, data acquisition, maintenance, and collaboration. 

Qualifications:

In keeping with current qualification standards for licensed clinical psychologists at the VA, incumbent must be a US citizen, have graduated from a doctoral program in psychology, have completed a full-year internship and have completed one full year or more of relevant experience as a psychologist after completing their doctorate. The doctorate can be in any specialty area recognized by the graduate program’s accrediting body, except for school psychology. The doctoral program must be accredited by either the American Psychological Association (APA), Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) or the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), and the internship must be accredited by either the APA or CPA, at the time these programs were completed. 

Requirements:

Doctoral Degree (PhD or MD) in a related field from an accredited college or university, Psychology License AND at least 1 year of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.