Staff Psychologist

The Fargo VA Health Care System is recruiting for a full-time Staff Psychologist for Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) 50% and Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) 50% under the Mental and Behavioral Health Patient Service Line. This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).

VA Careers - Psychologist: https://youtube.com/embed/77qHlLw9Xck This position is responsible for delivering direct psychological services to Veterans enrolled in Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC) 50% of the time and addressing outpatient mental health needs through Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) 50% of the time. The integrated nature of this role facilitates expanded access to evidence-based behavioral health services within both home-based and primary care environments. This approach supports population-based care and aims to improve health outcomes for Veterans in rural areas. The HBPC program offers comprehensive, interdisciplinary primary care services to Veterans with complex, chronic, and disabling diseases in their own homes. Beyond primary care interventions, the HBPC program provides palliative care, rehabilitation, disease management, and care coordination services. The primary focus is on Veterans in advanced stages of chronic disease, especially those at high risk of recurrent hospitalization or nursing home placement. The psychologist serving in this role will deliver a wide range of psychological services. These services will include screening; psychological, cognitive, and capacity assessments; psychotherapy; and prevention-oriented interventions. Additionally, the psychologist will offer evidence-based interventions to help HBPC patients manage and prevent behavioral aspects associated with behavioral medicine issues and promote medical compliance. This individual will be an integral member of the HBPC team, providing consultation services to other HBPC team members. These activities will require travel and driving as part of the position's duties, ensuring that Veterans in various locations are reached efficiently. This co-located, collaborative care psychologist position is part of the PCMHI program, situated within the primary care setting. The psychologist will operate as a member of multidisciplinary primary care teams, providing brief, consultation-based services to Veterans, primary care providers, and allied Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) members. The role emphasizes general service delivery for a broad spectrum of concerns, aiming to resolve issues within the context of primary care. Behavioral health visits are designed to be brief (typically 30 minutes), limited in number (1-6 visits), and conducted within the primary care practice area. This structure ensures that Veterans perceive engagements with the behavioral health provider as a routine aspect of primary care services. The psychologist will work within the fast-paced environment of primary care teams, consulting with multiple Veterans daily. The primary goals are to assist PACT members with the identification, treatment, and management of mental health and behavioral medicine conditions within the enrolled population. As well as ensure that appropriate referrals to specialty programs and community resources are made. Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) Authorized: This position is eligible for EDRP, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of your start date. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP Participants are ineligible to apply for the program. Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year). Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Ad-hoc only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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. You must have a valid, unrestricted State driver's license, a safe driving record, and be medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely. You will be required to undergo a physical exam. 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.