General Outpatient Mental Health Assistant Chief

Job Description

Here is a detailed breakdown of the job posting:

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### About the Company

The job is with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), specifically within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The role is based at the Savannah Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC), which operates under the oversight of the Ralph H. Johnson VAMC (Veterans Affairs Medical Center) in Charleston, SC.

The VA is a federal government agency dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare services to U.S. Veterans. As a federal employer, it offers a comprehensive benefits package to its employees. This includes standard federal benefits and potentially specialized programs like the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), which can reimburse student loans up to $200,000 for eligible candidates. The VA also provides opportunities for annual leave accrual based on prior federal or military service.

The work environment, particularly in a healthcare setting like a VAMC or CBOC, involves providing care to patients with various medical and psychiatric conditions, including serious mental illnesses, and may involve exposure to individuals with challenging behaviors. The VA emphasizes a supportive environment, offering resources for professional development and requiring adherence to professional standards and ongoing training.

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### Job Description: General Outpatient Mental Health Assistant Chief

This is a General Outpatient Mental Health Assistant Chief position, classified at the GS-14 level, for a Psychologist. The role involves both clinical practice and significant leadership responsibilities within the mental health program at the Savannah CBOC.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

I. Leadership and Program Management (Assistant Chief Role):
• Strategic Planning & Policy: Assists in planning, establishing, and implementing policies and procedures for the mental health programs.
• Goal Setting & Monitoring: Develops individual and group goals and objectives for the program. Determines and defines the overall objectives and goals of the mental health programs at the Savannah CBOC in conjunction with leadership at the Charleston VAMC.
• Oversight & Coordination: Monitors, operates, evaluates, coordinates, and oversees the staff within the assigned program. Responsible for monitoring accomplishment of and progress towards all established goals and objectives.
• Workforce Management:
• Plans work to be accomplished, sets priorities, and establishes schedules for the general mental health treatment program.
• Bases staff work assignments on treatment program priorities and matches tasks to staff capabilities.
• Participates in the interviewing and selection of candidates for each treatment program.
• Makes recommendations for promotion and reassignment of clinical staff.
• Assesses the quality and quantity of work accomplished by the clinical staff.
• Team Leadership: Supervises and manages subordinate employees effectively, demonstrating skill in interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution. Establishes and monitors production and performance priorities and standards.

II. Clinical Practice (Psychologist Role):
• Assessment & Diagnosis: Provides a full range of psychological assessment services and diagnoses mental disorders, particularly focusing on serious mentally ill (SMI), complex, or unusually difficult patients.
• Intervention: Provides comprehensive, evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions, including individual, family, and group psychotherapy.
• Education: Provides education to patients, family members, and significant others regarding mental health conditions and treatment.
• Consultation: Offers consultation to professional staff within the VAMC and to community providers concerning clinical assessment findings and appropriate treatment plans for patients.
• Treatment Planning & Documentation: Develops, implements, and documents psychotherapeutic treatment plans for an assigned caseload of patients, ensuring prompt completion of clinical reminders.
• Autonomy & Responsibility: Functions independently as a member of the VAMC Medical Staff with full clinical privileges, assuming complete professional responsibility for clinical assessment findings, patient care decisions, and documentation.

Work Environment & Schedule:
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.
• Location: This is an on-site position at the Savannah CBOC, Ralph H. Johnson VAMC. It is not a virtual position.
• Telework: Ad-hoc (implies occasional and as needed, not a regular telework schedule).
• Physical Requirements: Primarily involves walking, sitting, talking, driving, and telephone use. It requires the incumbent to withstand pressure and stress. Light lifting (under 15 lbs) and light carrying (under 15 lbs) may be involved. Hearing (with aid permitted) is required. There is ongoing exposure to individuals with psychiatric and physical illnesses and disabilities, including potential for violent or aggressive behavior.

Compensation & Benefits Specifics:
• Grade Level: GS-14.
• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): This position is eligible for EDRP, offering up to $200,000 in student loan payment reimbursement over one to five years, subject to eligibility and program approval. Former EDRP participants are ineligible to apply for this specific incentive.
• Incentives: Relocation/Recruitment Incentives, Critical Skills Incentive (CSI), and Permanent Change of Station (PCS) are not authorized for this position.
• Federal Benefits: Access to a comprehensive federal benefits package.

Application & Hiring Process:
• Announcement Type: Open Continuous Announcement until September 30, 2025.
• Application Cut-off: The first cut-off date for eligible applications is June 20, 2025, with referrals to the hiring manager no later than June 24, 2025. Applications received after this date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur.
• Onboarding: Selected applicants will complete an online onboarding process.
• Pre-employment Checks: Includes urinalysis for drug screening, background/security investigation, and a pre-employment physical examination.
• Vaccination: Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement.

Required Qualifications:
• Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Language: Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Education:
• A doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) in a relevant specialty area (Clinical, Counseling, Clinical Neuropsychology for CPA). School psychology degrees are *not• eligible.
• Alternatively, a doctoral degree in any area of psychology with a successful re-specialization program (including an approved internship) completed in an APA or CPA accredited doctoral program consistent with the assignment.
• Alternatively, a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.
• Internship:
• Successful completion of a professional psychology internship training program accredited by APA or CPA at the time of completion, consistent with the assignment.
• Acceptance for new VHA psychology internship programs applying for APA accreditation, VHA full-time pre-doctoral internships prior to 1979, or board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) if the internship was not accredited.
• For 1951-1978 doctoral degrees, the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience acceptable to the doctoral program.
• Licensure: Must hold a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Experience (GS-14 Specific): 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 (KSAs) at GS-14:
• Knowledge of and ability to apply professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations.
• Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health.
• Knowledge of clinical research literature.
• Knowledge of and ability to utilize evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines appropriately and guide staff in using these tools.
• Ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, and meet multiple deadlines.
• Ability to supervise and manage subordinate employees effectively.
• Skill in interpersonal relationships, including conflict resolution.
• Ability to establish and monitor production and performance priorities and standards.