PSYCHOLOGY TECHNICIAN (Psychometrics)

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/29/2024. 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. (See additional information section below.) Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) This Psychology Technician GS-0181-7/8/9, has individual occupational requirements, as described below: Specialized Experience: Experience that involved the observation of and assistance in the application of techniques relating to behavior, capacities, traits, interests, and activities of either humans or, under laboratory conditions, animals. Experience may have been gained in connection with a program of research or direct services in psychology that gave a practical understanding of some of the principles, methods, and techniques of psychology needed to assist professional psychologists. AND, Basic Education Requirement: Bachelor’s degree 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. In addition to meeting the IOR, to qualify for this position, you must meet one of the following requirements: Specialized Experience GS-07: You must have at least one (1) full year of technical work under the direction of a professional psychologist in a program of professional services, training, or research. At least six (6) months of such experience must be comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade (GS-6) in the Federal service, or one (1) year comparable to the second lower grade (GS-5) in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: Monitoring the supply of psychological testing materials and communicating the need for ordering supplies with the supervising psychologist. Serving as the Measurement-Based Care (MBC) Co-Champion or Point of Contact, with the primary responsibility being administering, and tracking completion of symptom screening via Measurement Based Care tools Tracking and trending symptom-based Measurement-Based Care data to care providers in varying mental health treatment settings, for various committees, and for reporting to supervising psychologist. Assisting in research activities such as collecting of raw data, data entry and verification, data summaries, and tabulations. Maintaining, tracking, and trending test and assessment results and data on patients who are and have been treated in all mental health programs so that treatment effectiveness can be monitored. OR, Education: To qualify based on education alone for this grade level you must have successfully completed at least one (1) full year of graduate study in psychology in an accredited college or university to substitute for the 1 year of experience to meet in full the requirements at the GS-7 level. OR, Superior Academic Achievement at the GS-7 level: (SAA) at the baccalaureate level in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled. Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below. Specialized Experience GS-08: You must have at least one (1) full year of technical work under the direction of a professional psychologist in a program of professional services, training, or research at the GS-7 level. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: Serves as the Measurement-Based Care (MBC) Champion, with the primary responsibility to administer, track, and report symptom screening via Measurement Based Care tools. Provides preliminary interpretation and recommendations through written reports of test data, validity interpretations, behavioral observations, and patient history gained throughout the testing process. Administers, scores, and provides an initial evaluation of a variety of specific psychological and neuropsychological test data gathered. Provides preliminary interpretation through written reports of test data, validity interpretations, behavioral observations, and patient history gained throughout the testing process to the assessing Psychologist throughout the episode of care. Observes and notes significant behaviors, emotional status, and motivation during testing as well as modes of response and assesses whether any of these circumstances will invalidate or significantly affect data obtained. OR, Education: To qualify based on education alone for this grade level you must have successfully completed at least one and half (1.5) full years of graduate study in psychology in an accredited college or university to substitute for the 1 year of experience to meet in full the requirements at the GS-7 level. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience AND graduate education that directly related to the work of the position. Specialized Experience GS-09: You must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-08 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization or two (2) years at GS-7 level. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: Serves as the Measurement-Based Care (MBC) Coordinator, with the primary responsibility to administer, track, and report symptom screening via Measurement Based Care tools across all Mental Health Programs and Settings. Assists in research activities, including collection of raw data, data entry and verification, data summaries, tabulations, and complex statistical analyses if required to do so. Maintains, tracks, and trends test and assessment results and data on patients who are and have been treated in all mental health programs so that treatment effectiveness can be monitored. Channels the flow of work through the organization and follow up to ensure completion of tasks (assigned or otherwise part of normal duties) in a timely manner. Provides preliminary interpretation through written reports of test data, validity interpretations, behavioral observations, and patient history gained throughout the testing process to the assessing Psychologist throughout the episode of care. Administers, scores, and provides an initial evaluation of a variety of specific psychological and neuropsychological test data gathered. Makes preliminary interpretations of the data for the purpose of developing a recommended courses of action, and for consultation to the interdisciplinary treatment team. OR, Education: To qualify based on education alone for this grade level you must have two (2) full years of graduate education or a master’s degree directly related to the work of the position. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience AND one (1) full year of graduate education directly related to the work of the position. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and Management Database Management Systems Organizational Stewardship Psychology Written Communication 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). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. 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 Psychology Technician is a non-supervisory entity in the Mental Health Service Line serving Veterans of the Sheridan VA Health Care System (SVAHCS). The primary duty is to conduct psychological testing using specific psychological tests and provide assessment administration with additional duties that include but are not limited to suicide screening, making behavioral observations, and conducting symptom screening using measurement-based care tools.