Summary

This job is for a staff psychologist in a Veterans Affairs hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, where you'll provide mental health care and support to veterans, helping them with issues like trauma, stress, and emotional challenges.

It's an entry-level role ideal for someone who has just finished their psychology doctorate and internship, and who wants to work in a government setting focused on helping military veterans.

A good fit would be a compassionate professional with strong listening skills and a commitment to public service.

Key Requirements

U.S. citizenship (non-citizens may be considered if qualified citizens are unavailable)
Doctoral degree in psychology from an APA, PCSAS, or CPA accredited program, in a specialty like clinical or counseling psychology
Completion of a professional psychology internship accredited by APA or CPA, consistent with the job assignment
Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, or D.C. (temporary appointment possible for up to 2 years under supervision if unlicensed)
Proficiency in spoken and written English
Board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology if internship was not accredited (must be maintained)

Full Job Description

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 Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States.

(Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.g, this part.) Education(1) 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.

Internships (a) 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.

Exception.

Non-licensed applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment as a "graduate psychologist" at the GS-11 or GS-12 grade under the authority of 38 U.S.C.

§ 7405 [(c)(2)(B)] for a period not to exceed two years from the date of employment on the condition that such a psychologist provide care only under the supervision of a psychologist who is licensed.

Failure to obtain licensure during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. (1) Board Certification.

Persons hired to psychology positions in the VHA who completed an internship that was not accredited at the time the program was completed must be 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.

The board certificate must be current and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirement for continuing education. (2) Loss of Credential.

Once board certified, psychologist must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted board certification to remain qualified for employment.

A psychologist who fails to maintain the required board certification must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment.

At the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation if qualified and if a placement opportunity exists. Grade Determinations.

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: English Language Proficiency.

Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j (1) Staff Psychologist, GS-11 (Entry Level) Experience.

None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Assignment.

Staff psychologists at this level diagnose mental disorders, conduct psychological or neuropsychological assessments, treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities, provide adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical disorders, and may conduct research.

They may be assigned to any program area. Psychologists who are not licensed must practice under the close supervision of a licensed psychologist.

(2) Staff Psychologist, GS-12 (Developmental Level) (a) Experience. At least one year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11).

Psychologists who are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist but with less intense supervision than at the GS-11 grade level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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.

(3) Staff Psychologist, GS-13 (Full Performance, Level) Experience. At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 grade level.

(b) 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. (c) Assignment.

This is the full performance level for staff psychologists.

At this level, psychologists are licensed to practice independently in the provision of psychological services, consulting with peers and supervisors as appropriate.

They may be assigned to any VHA program and setting, such as inpatient or outpatient medicine, primary care, surgery, mental health, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, geriatrics, Compensation and Pension, Vet Centers, and the VHA National Center for Organization Development.

Psychologists diagnose mental disorders, conduct psychological or neuropsychological assessments, treat mental disorders through a variety of modalities, and provide adjunctive interventions for treatment of medical disorders.

Among the modalities provided are individual, family, and group psychotherapies and other interventions such as behavioral health and community interventions.

References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G18 Psychologist Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

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 Physical Requirements: The physical demands of this position involve primarily walking, sitting, talking, driving, use of the telephone, etc.

Strenuous physical activity is not required although the incumbent is expected to withstand pressure and stress as part of their day-to-day activities.

There is ongoing exposure to individuals having psychiatric and physical illness and disabilities. These include violent or aggressive behavior and chronic psychiatric and medical problems.

Light lifting, under 15 pounds, Light carrying, under 15 pounds, Hearing (aid permitted). Major Duties:

**This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until April 30, 2026.

The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be January 26, 2026, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month.

Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.** VA Careers - Psychologist: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/77qHlLw9Xck Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include, but are not limited to: GS-11- Clinical Responsibilities Provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services including use of psychological testing for patients in Outpatient Services.

Performs psychological evaluations for individuals with mental health and medical disorders for purposes of diagnostic clarification and treatment planning recommendations.

These evaluations employ a comprehensive diagnostic interview, review of available records, collateral contact when available, as well as objective, and cognitive tests when indicated.

Provides/Assists with diagnoses of mental disorders, particularly for complex or unusually difficult patients to include a full range of psycho-diagnostic services.

Provide comprehensive, evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, including individual, family, and group psychotherapy.

Provides education to patients, family members, significant others, and community members.

Provides consultation to professional staff within the WJB Dom V AMC or CBOC and to community providers, concerning clinical assessment findings and appropriate treatment plans for patients.

Functions as a member of the Outpatient Mental Health Team and WJB Dom V AMC Medical Staff, with full clinical privileges.

The incumbent assumes complete professional responsibility for his/her clinical findings, patient care decisions, and documentation.

GS-12- Clinical Responsibilities (70% time) Provides a full range of psycho-diagnostic services including use of psychological testing for patients in Outpatient Services.