Psychology Technician

Full Job Description

This position is located within the Mental Health Service Line at the Martinsburg VAMC (MVAMC) in Martinsburg, WV.

The work of this position is critical for the delivery of quality consultation and treatment services and for the determination of diagnostic impressions, treatment recommendations, and treatment interventions for individual patients.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.

You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position.

~AND~ BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: Completion of a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in an appropriate social or biological science, which included or was supplemented by 12 semester hours in psychology.

NOTE: You must submit copies of transcripts at the time of application. Education will not be credited without documentation. Please ensure that your transcripts show that a degree was conferred.

Display copies of degrees or course listings do not provide the information needed.

~AND~ In addition to the above requirements, in order to meet the minimum qualifications for this position at the GS- 9 level you must meet one of the following: EXPERIENCE: At least two (2) years of technical work under the direction of a professional psychologist in a program of professional services, training or research.

At least 6 months of this experience must be comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade in the Federal service (GS-8), or 1 year comparable to the second lower grade (GS-7).

This experience includes working with patients in a behavioral health setting or program; administering and scoring a variety of neuropsychological assessments; assessing mental status, cognitive state and physical limitations of patients; providing verbal and written observation of patient test behavior; and using office equipment to collect and maintain data.

Performance of these tasks requires a practical understanding of some of the general principles, theories, methods and techniques of psychology in order to carry out duties which are performed under the supervision of a professional psychologist.

NOTE: Experience under the direction of a professional psychologist is required and MUST be documented on your resume.

Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

~OR~ EDUCATION: Successful completion of two (2) full years of graduate study in psychology in an accredited college or university may be substituted for 2 years of experience and meets in full the requirements at the GS-9 level.

NOTE: You must submit copies of transcripts at the time of application. Education will not be credited without documentation.

You will be rated on the following Competencies as part of the assessment questionnaire for this position: Communication Manages and Organizes Information Psychological Assessment Psychology IMPORTANT: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week.

All experience listed on your resume must include the month and year start/end dates. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities.

Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, conducted in an office setting.

The stress involved in dealing frequently with persons who are be emotionally or physically distressed, cognitively impaired, communication-impaired, and who may be uncooperative, poorly motivated, obstreperous, or possibly assaultive, makes this position appreciably more demanding than most sedentary lines of employment.

Dexterity, proficient handwriting speed, and specific physical agility, visual and auditory acuity are required, as are physical exertion (i.e., moderately heavy lifting of test supplies, records and equipment up to 40 pounds), walking, listening, and writing and sitting for prolonged periods.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.

Major Duties:

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Administers and scores a wide range of objective psychological tests and inventories measuring personality and cognitive functions.

Administers and scores individual tests of neuropsychological functioning.

Establishes and maintains effective rapport with all types of patients and provides an appropriate, non-threatening setting for optimal test performance by patients Provides services to a subset of patients who exhibit complex diagnoses.

Utilizes a variety of instruments including specialized, complicated neuropsychological assessment techniques, beyond introductory assessment knowledge.

Maintains a current and complete stock of assessment materials and notifies purchasing agent when re-supply is needed.

Provides professional staff with written documentation of observed testing behaviors noted during test administration.

Serves as primary point of contact for scheduling of referrals for neuropsychological or psychological assessments. Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved