Psychology Program Manager - Recovery Services
Veterans Health Administration
Posted: March 30, 2026 (3 days ago)
Added to FreshGovJobs: April 2, 2026 (0 days ago)
Posted recently. We are still expanding our coverage, so we added it a bit late. Still worth applying!
Veterans Health Administration
Department of Veterans Affairs
Location
Salary
$138,433 - $179,969
per year
Type
Full-Time
More Management & Supervision jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $104,604 - $135,987
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-13. Senior expert or supervisor.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job involves leading a residential rehabilitation program for veterans, focusing on psychological care and treatment in a hospital setting.
The role requires managing staff, overseeing patient services, and ensuring high-quality mental health support.
It's ideal for an experienced psychologist with leadership skills who is passionate about helping veterans recover from mental health challenges.
This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.
You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your 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 complete review of the EDRP application.
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.
English Language Proficiency: Applicants must meet the English Language Proficiency requirement for positions in this occupation.
To be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, or to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA, applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English.
Education: must meet ONE of the below 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).
Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully complete a respecialization program (including documentation of an approved internship completed as part of the respecialization 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.
Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.
Internships: must meet ONE of the below 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.
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; VHA facilities that offered full-time, one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96-151 (pre1979) are considered to be acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement; 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.
(NOTE: Once board certified, the employee is required to maintain board certification.)OR(e) 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: Psychology Program Manager, GS-14 Experience. At least three years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-13 grade level.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.
In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlines.
Knowledge of and ability to utilize evidence based practices and clinical practice guidelines appropriately and ability to guide staff in using these tools.
Ability to deal effectively with individuals or groups. Skill in managing and directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives.
Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled work operations. Ability to establish and monitor production and performance priorities and standards.
Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in sound operation of the program.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Psychologist Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14.
Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.
Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Major Duties:
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MHRRTP) is an onsite residential program for Veterans with mental health issues, substance use disorders, post trauma stress disorder, homelessness and unemployment.
The MHRRTP Chief has full responsibility and accountability for: planning, developing, organizing and operating of the clinical programs and the general operation of the Central Iowa Domiciliary.
Responsible for coordinating staffing and all treatment services provided.
Supervises non-nursing employees assigned to the program while coordinating with the nursing supervisors to assure that all staff work as a cooperative team in the provision of service to Veterans.
The incumbent is responsible for a fund control point assigned to the program.
Manages and controls the use of data related to the programs regarding day-to-day functioning and uses data for performance improvement.
Administers information and analytical systems to evaluate and enhance the quality of service provided to patients.
Develops, implements, and evaluates clinical guidelines and protocols to establish appropriate utilization of services. Supervises a group of employees performing work at various GS levels (e.g.
social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, readjustment counseling therapists, domiciliary rehabilitation technicians, psychology technicians, peer supports, etc.
Coordinates with supervisors of other disciplines such as nursing, chaplain, recreation, police, psychology and medical services to ensure treatment service effectiveness and safety within the program.
Establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff. Observes workers' performance; demonstrates and conducts work performance critiques.
Provides informal feedback and periodically evaluates employee performance. Resolves informal complaints and grievances. Develops work improvement plans, recommending personnel actions as necessary.
Advises and counsels workers related to work and administrative matters. Recommends new programs for ongoing needs.
Conducts regularly scheduled meetings and facilitates in-service training programs for the clinical staff and Domiciliary.
Works directly with the Director, Mental Health Service Line regarding the administrative and technical decisions involved in the coordination of the Clinical Programming and Domiciliary.
This is a clinical leadership position. The incumbent is a consultative member to different therapeutic teams, contributing expertise in evaluating and developing team treatment plans for Veterans.
The position requires close coordination with medical center physicians, psychiatrists, physician extenders, social workers, psychologists, nurses and other technical/professional staff to ensure proper evaluation procedures, innovative treatment options, cost effective services and a continuum of care for referred Veterans.
Handles all requests for information about the program by management, VISN, and/or headquarters. Reports significant events and/or program changes to Director, Residential Rehab VACO-OMHS.
Represents the Domiciliary on a number of medical center committees and tasks forces.
Develops cooperative work relationships with civic and service organizations, both locally and throughout the state.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30 am-4:00 pm 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.
Contact VHAVISN23EDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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) 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 telework may be available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
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