Staff Psychologist (Neuropsychologist)

Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Fredericksburg, VA

Summary

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 your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & 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 ineligible to apply.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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: 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
  • For the purpose of meeting this requirement - the term "specialty area" refers to the specific specialty areas recognized by the accrediting body and not to specific job duties that might require special skills
  • Currently - APA accredits doctoral programs in the specialty areas of clinical psychology - counseling psychology - school psychology - or combinations of two or more of those areas
  • PCSAS accredits doctoral programs in psychological clinical science
  • CPA accredits doctoral programs in clinical psychology - counseling psychology - clinical neuropsychology - and school psychology
  • There are no job assignments in VHA that require the skills of a school psychologist
  • therefore - an applicant with a degree in the specialty area of school psychology is not eligible for appointment
  • Strictly for the purpose of determining eligibility for appointment as a psychologist in VHA - there is no distinction between the specialty areas (with the exception of school psychology
  • 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: The re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program
  • and the specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed
  • NOTE: The applicant must provide an official transcript and/or certificate documenting the completion of the re-specialization program - which includes completion of an APA or CPA internship
  • [Psychologists who have successfully completed a re-specialization program as described above and who were employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs prior to the implementation of this standard are considered to have fully met the educational requirements of these qualification standards
  • OR Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution - with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature AND Internships 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
  • 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 May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
  • Grade Determinations: GS-11: Meets the basic requirements and education / license requirements above
  • GS-12: One year experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11)
  • To be credible - the experience must have required the use of knowledge - skills - and abilities and other characteristics associated with current psychology practices: Knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations
  • Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies
  • Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures
  • Ability to conduct research activities - such as designing and implementing clinical research projects (staff psychologists with specified research job duties).Ability to perform basic 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
  • GS-13: At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist - with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities.In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1
  • Knowledge of - and ability to apply - professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations
  • 2
  • Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health
  • 3
  • Knowledge of clinical research literature
  • Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
  • The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13
  • The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-13
  • Preference: VA experience - or experience assessing Veterans is preferred
  • Excellent customer service experience preferred
  • Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

  • The incumbent will provide neuropsychological assessments and psychoeducation for adult patients with a full range of conditions affecting the central nervous system including but not limited to neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia - stroke - epilepsy - Parkinson's disease - ADHD - and traumatic brain injury (TBI) - among others
  • Duties include but not limited to the following: Psychological assessment and intervention services for patients with acute and chronic pain conditions from services including the Amputation Center and Pain Clinic - as well as conducting psychological evaluations that are indicated before surgery as for instance for spinal cord stimulator (SCS) placement
  • Provides a full range of psychological services utilizing appropriate assessment instruments and structured interviews - generating psychological reports based on assessments - serving as an authoritative source of information in the use and interpretation of tests and provides expert consultation to other disciplines
  • Conducts evaluations to aid in differential diagnosis
  • Performs capacities assessments when there are questions about a patient's ability to make medical decisions - perform other specific functions - or live independently
  • Provides leadership guidance and consultation to staff of units to which assigned
  • May conduct and present outcome data and research at VA and regional or national scientific or professional meetings - as appropriate
  • Provides psycho-educational and supportive interventions - in conjunction with the veteran - for spouses - family members/ caregivers - as needed
  • Provides screening - assessment - and diagnosis of depressive and anxiety-related disorders - as well as other mental health conditions
  • May conduct and present outcome data and research at VA and regional or national scientific or professional meetings - as appropriate - Assesses for subclinical symptoms of dysphoria and anxiety - adjustment difficulties - & excessive use or misuse of alcohol or other drugs (for which the patient may have a lower-than-normal tolerance due to their medical conditions and the potential for negative interactions with prescribed medication)
  • Performs all other duties as assigned
  • VA Careers - Psychologist: Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule:8:00AM - 4:30PM Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized 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) EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
  • Contact [email protected] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
  • Learn more Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
  • Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized VA Careers - Psychologist: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This is an Open Continuous Announcement
  • Qualified applicants will be referred to the hiring manager on a biweekly basis
  • You will receive an email notification if/when your application has been reviewed and referred
  • The announcement will close once a selection has been made.
Create a Job Match for Similar Jobs

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.

Connections working at Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration More Jobs from This Employer Return to Search Results
Posted 2026-05-30

Recommended Jobs

Senior IT Analyst

System One
Merrifield, VA

Job Title: Senior IT Analyst Location: remote Pay Rate: open to W2 and established 1099's Position type: multiyear contract This is a long term, remote contracting position for candidates…

View Details
Posted 2026-05-21

Senior Specialist, Digital Creative

Hanwha Defense USA, Inc.
Arlington, VA

Role:  Senior Specialist, Digital Creative Location:  Rosslyn, VA (On-site) Role overview We’re seeking a highly versatile digital creative to tell stories with compelling visual content across…

View Details
Posted 2026-05-14

Interventional Radiology Registered Nurse

Urology of Virginia PLLC
Virginia Beach, VA

Job Description Job Description Description: Company Overview Urology of Virginia (UVA) has a long history of providing comprehensive and quality care to the entire Hampton Roads region, in…

View Details
Posted 2026-05-14

Direct Support Supervisor

Smiles Like Yours
Richmond, VA

Job Description Job Description Description: The Direct Support Supervisor is responsible for coordination and oversight of the daily activities of the Featherstone, Whitepine, Hanover Adult Soc…

View Details
Posted 2026-03-20

Operations & Sustainment Engineer - Managed Service Provider Support

Summit Technologies, Inc.
Alexandria, VA

Operations & Sustainment Engineer  Role Summary The Operations & Sustainment Engineer ensures continuous system availability, stability, and performance in a 24x7 operational environment. Key Respo…

View Details
Posted 2026-01-28

Direct Support Professional (Evenings, Weekends and Overnights)

Outreach Residential Services Inc
Chesterfield, VA

Job Description Job Description We are seeking a Direct Support Professional (Evenings, Weekends And Overnights) to join our team! You will assist in the daily care of our individuals with intell…

View Details
Posted 2026-05-14

Retail Store Cleaning Associate

Virginia

TJ Maxx At TJX Companies, every day brings new opportunities for growth, exploration, and achievement. You’ll be part of our vibrant team that embraces diversity, fosters collaboration, and prioritiz…

View Details
Posted 2026-05-30

Travel Nurse RN - Telemetry - $1,853 to $2,006 per week in Petersburg, VA

Host Healthcare
Petersburg, VA

Registered Nurse (RN) | Telemetry Location: Petersburg, VA Agency: Host Healthcare Pay: $1,853 to $2,006 per week Shift Information: Nights Start Date: ASAP About the Posi…

View Details
Posted 2026-05-21

White House Nannies

White House Nannies, Inc.
McLean, VA

Are you a professional, career nanny who loves keeping up with an active and curious baby? A first-time parent family in McLean is seeking a nurturing, hands-on nanny to care for their energetic 8-mo…

View Details
Posted 2026-01-08

VALET

Ace Parking Management, Inc.
Arlington, VA

Job Description Job Description About Us: One of the reasons why we are the nation’s leading parking management expert is because we recognize that “people” are what makes our company successf…

View Details
Posted 2026-04-05