Psychologist-Program Manager (EDRP & Relocation Incentive)

Summary Position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Responsibilities Serves as Program Manager for the Mental Health Clinic (MHC) at the Battle Creek VAMC and Lansing CBOC, providing leadership, direction, and administrative oversight to multidisciplinary outpatient mental health programs. Exercises broad independent judgment in supervising approximately 27 FTEE, including Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Nurse Practitioners, Social Workers, Nursing staff, and Peer Support Specialists. Holds line and staff authority for resource allocation, staffing, performance management, and clinic operations across multiple sites. Ensures efficient, high-quality delivery of outpatient mental health services, including psychotherapy, psychiatric consultation, case management, and evidence-based, patient-centered care. Oversees clinic performance improvement, compliance with the Mental Health Uniform Services Package, accreditation standards (e.g., Joint Commission), and all required facility, VISN, and VACO program reporting. Ensures timely access to care, coordinated transitions, and adherence to performance measures. Provides leadership for integration with Primary Care and other clinical services; ensures immediate availability for mental health consultation across the medical center. Leads implementation and operation of

BHIP, MHTC

2.0, and the FLOW model, ensuring effective team huddles, case coordination, and workload management. Manages intake and discharge processes to optimize access and patient flow. Conducts hiring actions, prepares functional statements, selects candidates, and evaluates staff through ongoing and focused professional practice evaluations. Handles conflict resolution, employee relations, disciplinary actions, and ensures adequate clinical coverage during absences. Uses local data and stakeholder feedback to improve customer service and operational effectiveness. Facilitates continuous improvement and a recovery-oriented environment. Provides direct clinical services (20-40% of time), including psychological assessment and evidence-based individual and group psychotherapy for a wide range of behavioral health conditions. Ensures early identification and intervention for mental health needs and health-interfering behaviors. Supports academic training programs by supervising psychology practicum students, interns, and postdoctoral residents; participates in training of medical students, psychiatric residents, nursing trainees, and other health professions learners. Provides education and consultation to staff regarding behavioral health. Serves on committees and workgroups such as the Psychology Training Committee and Mental Health Performance Measures Workgroup. Demonstrates ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze operational problems, and implement effective solutions. Establishes and monitors productivity and performance standards and collaborates effectively with individuals and groups across diverse backgrounds and disciplines.

Work Schedule:

Mon-Fri 8:00am-4:30pm

Virtual:

This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:

Approved. Additional approvals are required.

EDRP Authorized:

Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications Basic Requirements:

United States Citizenship:

Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education 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. There are no job assignments in VHA that require the skills of a school psychologist; therefore, an applicant with a degree in the specialty area of school psychology is not eligible for appointment. Strictly for the purpose of determining eligibility for appointment as a psychologist in VHA, there is no distinction between the specialty areas (with the exception of school psychology). OR (2) Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully complete a re- specialization program (including documentation of an approved internship completed as part of the re- specialization program) meeting both of the following conditions: (a) The re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and, (b) the specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.[OR (3) Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally-accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.] AND Internships