Staff Psychologist

Psychologist Position The psychologist serves within the Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) Program, which falls within the VA Northern California Health Care System (NCHCS) Mental Health Service. The incumbent will function as a psychologist within the Primary Care clinic, with an emphasis on integration of mental health services within Primary Care. It is expected that the incumbent will successfully coordinate service delivery with Primary Care staff and other Mental Health Providers as appropriate. The primary job functions of psychologists at the GS-13 level include the provision of direct psychological patient care, consultation services on difficult or complex cases, education of staff and participation in Psychology Training Program(s), including training committee activities, providing didactics, and supervision of practicum students, interns, and postdoctoral fellows, with protected time established by OAA and the VANCHCS Supervision Manual. While some virtual care may be provided as appropriate, please note this is not a 100% virtual position. Major duties include, but are not limited to: Provides a full range of diagnostic and evaluation services appropriate to the primary care setting, especially in the areas of general psychological evaluation of emotional and behavioral problems and focused cognitive screening. Provides a full range of psychological interventions consistent with training and expertise, with special emphasis on brief and evidenced-based interventions found to be effective in primary care settings. Facilitates patient and family education appropriate to the primary care setting and the specific presenting mental or behavioral health issues. Provides consultation services for primary care providers to maximize the effectiveness of their interventions in reducing health-risk behaviors and enhancing health-promoting behaviors, with a significant emphasis on a prevention-oriented model of care. Supports primary care provider (PCP) decision-making, building on PCP interventions and improving PCP-patient working relationships. Provides clinical care management when appropriate directly to an assigned cohort of patients. Consults with medical center staff on a wide variety of patient care issues to include patient's decision-making capacity regarding health care. Completes all clinical charting and documentation required by the Medical Center or healthcare system, as appropriate. Other duties as assigned.