Psychology Technician

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/11/2024. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of and experience developing and/or administering surveys and the ability to work independently in interviewing, testing, and counseling with difficult and complex patients. Advanced knowledge and experience using counseling skills with Veterans who are presenting with a variety of mental health conditions to include mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, trauma related disorders, substance abuse disorders. Must also demonstrate ability to exercise good judgment during interactions with Veterans and their families. Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to the emotions of others, with the necessary tact and skills to deal with Veterans presenting with a range of psychological problems. Ability to observe human behavior and accurately record observations of behavior to arrive at an accurate interpretation of data. This requires extensive attention to detail, a solid background in coursework in human behavior, excellent listening skills, and advance documentation skills. Ability to assess mental status and cognitive state of patients, assess for risky behaviors, perform a risk assessment, make referrals for high-risk patients, and conduct or assist psychologists or other licensed professionals in conducting group counseling. Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation to correct obvious errors in draft material. Ability to speak, write, and explain information clearly. Knowledge of computer systems and software, including experience in standard word processing, data entry, spreadsheet, and graphics software. Ability to keep abreast of the various changes made within these programs for maintaining the integrity of access to these clinical records. Knowledge of and experience working in a research and/or clinical environment and health care field, including knowledge of unique requirements of clinical activities and policy, regulations, and practices used to administer research and clinical programs and projects. Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and work under limited supervision. Knowledge of various treatment, rehabilitation, and community programs involving a complexity of psychological and physical handicaps. Knowledge of medical and scientific terminology to include ICD codes and DSM diagnostic codes. Ability to recognize problems and problem areas and make recommendations to the supervisor, take remedial action and correct deficiencies. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master’s or equivalent graduate degree or two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Graduate Education: Education at the graduate level in an accredited college or university meets the requirements for positions at GS-7 through GS-11. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements, and may be computed by first determining the applicant’s total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant’s education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-9 and GS-11. (When crediting education that requires specific course work, prorate the number of hours of related courses required as a proportion of the total education to be used.). You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Interpersonal Skills Psychology Self Management Teaches Others Technical Competence Technology Application Writing 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; religions; 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. 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. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items, such as papers, books, or small parts. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. Applicants must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. 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/.
This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Center (HVAMC), under the Community Based Clinics Service Line. This position is aligned with the Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program/Outpatient Programs (BHIP/Outpatient). Provides clinical support at the Elizabeth City APOC, the Chesapeake CBOC, the Portsmouth CBOC, and/or the Virginia Beach CBOC.