Job Information
Defense Health Agency Clinical Psychologist (Behavioral Health) in Fort Carson, Colorado
Overview
Clinical Psychologist (Behavioral Health) - Butts Army Airfireld Medical Clinic (Fort Carson), Colorado
Butts Army Airfield and Fort Carson, CO: Located just south of Colorado Springs, Ft. Carson combines scenic beauty, pleasant residential areas, and cultural activities to satisfy every taste. It is an unusually well-rounded military community which offers a variety of recreational and cultural opportunities. World-class ski resorts are available within a short 2 1/2 hour drive, golf courses and biking trails are available on the installation as well as in the surrounding community. Numerous colleges and universities are available for continuing education. Colorado Springs Official Vacation Guide - Visit Colorado Springs (visitcos.com)
Working for the Department of Defense comes with an abundance of benefits and perks to include competitive compensation packages, paid-time off, medical benefits, student loan repayments, and retirement package with Thrift Savings Plan to include matching employer contributions. For more information, please visit the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/benefits/
Responsibilities
MAJOR DUTIES
- Serves as a Clinical Psychologist Behavioral Health Consultant (BHC) for the Clinic and Behavioral Health System of Care (BHSOC) Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH) program.Makes mental health diagnoses in accordance with the most recent version of the Diagnostic andStatistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) when differential diagnosis is required. Providesindividual and group treatment, using various modalities as clinically indicated to include briefproblem-focused interventions, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and psychoeducational classes.Assesses acute mental health and behavioral medicine conditions in beneficiaries who present withsuch issues. Maintains appropriate documentation of patient care in accordance with current unitand hospital standard operating procedures (SOPs) and current DoD, DHA PCBH, Federal and stateregulations. Maintains performance and conduct in accordance with current unit and hospital SOPs;current DoD, DHA, Federal and state regulations; and professional ethics.
Assesses and provides intervention for individuals with a wide range of chronic medical conditions,and bevioral health issues affecting medical conditions to include assessment and disposition ofbeneficiaries with acute and chronic risk. Provides treatment via targeted and efficient appointmentsfor initial and follow-up visits. Performs PCBH biopsychosocial evaluations using expert knowledge ofclinical and clinical health psychology. Conducts outpatient group classes, stress management,relaxation training, assertive/social skills training, smoking cessation training, substance abuseidentification and brief related interventions appropriate for primary care, as well as evidenced-based interventions for mastery of behavioral health conditions (e.g. anxiety, depression, posttraumatic symptoms etc.) and behavioral medicine conditions (e.g. insomnia, acute and chronicpain, diabetes, weight management etc.) as required. Participates in quality assurance activities.Provides psychological and clinical consultation to physicians, other professionals andparaprofessionals through established consultation channels. Provides feedback to Primary CareManagers (PCMs) regarding consultation findings and recommendations as directed by the currentDHA PCBH Administrative Instruction.
Consults with primary care providers to select, approve, and document treatment priorities inSMART goal format. Serves as the authority on primary care psychology for the clinic. Educatesclinic staff on the principles of primary care
behavioral health via trainings and briefings.Conducts meetings and conferences to review the level of care for appropriateness of treatment inprimary care and evaluate and approve referral sources. Establishes cooperative agreements amongvarious providers and clinics throughout the Military Treatment Facility (MTF). Monitors, evaluates,and approves use of community resources. Provides reports and approves consults. Uses objectivebehavioral outcome measures to evaluate progress in treatment.
Provides evidenced-based individual treatment and psychoeducational classes for patientsenrolled in primary care clinics. Provides expertise in human behavior as a primary care teammember and provides consultation to primary care and specialty clinic providers regardingpsychological treatment options to optimize health outcomes. Assists primary care providers withthe treatment of patients with known high-risk factors such as suicide, history of trauma, and co-occurring substance use disorders. Conducts PCBH model treatment, monitors, approves, anddocuments all treatment goals. Reviews and approves the appropriate modality of treatment foreach patient. Develops treatment processes and procedures for orientation of patients. Evaluatesinformation/education processes. Institutes changes to increase effectiveness of treatment efforts.Evaluates appropriateness of treatment goals. Determines appropriate dispositions for severe cases.Provides structure and procedures for organization of case staffing information. Establishes policiesfor case consultation.
Executes performance initiatives (PI) through revision of clinical standards and procedures; andperforms a variety of quality management/quality assurance (QM/QA) duties to meet the JointCommission (TJC) requirements. Evaluates clinical records and monitors all objective instrumentadministration and scoring for quality assurance. Evaluates environment of care. Monitors all riskmanagement issues and takes appropriate action. Establishes and executes performance initiatives.Works with primary care team to develop processes to increase same day “warm handoffs” ofpatients from the primary care provider to the BHC. Works to increase overall penetration into theenrolled clinic population by targeting common conditions with behavioral components that areamenable to BHC intervention. Performs daily activities to increase BHC clinical productivity (e.g.scrubbing PCM appointment lists, circulating in the clinic and consulting with staff, being vocal inmorning huddles etc.). Establishes and monitors objective behavioral outcome measures. Evaluatesand revises standard operating procedures. Conducts program evaluation. Consults with ancillarycare providers. Substantiates the results of crisis intervention. Reviews data provided in reports ofspecial actions. Reviews statistical data to modify program goals. Evaluates and approveseducational materials for use by clinic staff and patients.
Provides consultation regarding interpretation and approval of outcome measures and screeninginstruments. Develops, implements, and evaluates professional development activities, coordinatesinter and intra-departmental in-service training on PCBH related topics. Evaluates scope of practiceand makes adjustments for increased adherence and efficacy as needed. Evaluates trainingopportunities, development activities, and orientation activities.
Performs other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
Who May Apply: US Citizens
In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. 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; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document (https://portal.chra.army.mil/hr_public?id=kb_article&sysparm_article=KB0016283) .
Basic Requirement for Clinical Psychologist (Behavioral Health):
Degree : Doctoral Degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) directly related to full professional work in clinical psychology.
Licensure: This position requires a current, active, valid, and unrestricted clinical license to practice Psychology independently offered by a U.S. State, District of Columbia, Commonwealth, territory, or jurisdiction.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:
Specialized Experience : One year of specialized experience which includes conducting biopsychosocial evaluations; assessing patient's cognitive, emotional, and psychological status; providing individual and group treatment to include brief problem-focused interventions, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and psychoeducational classes; provides consultation to primary care and specialty clinic providers regarding psychological treatment options to optimize health outcomes
This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-12).
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.
Education
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .
Candidates must have a permanent, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in a State, District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or a territory of the United States.
Apply for this Job Online (https://careers-civilianmedicaljobs.icims.com/jobs/8287/clinical-psychologist-%28behavioral-health%29/job?mode=apply&apply=yes&in_iframe=1&hashed=-336268516)
Location US-CO-Fort Carson
Job ID 2024-8287
# Positions 1
Category Behavioral Health
Salary Range GS-13
Recruitment Bonus Negotiable
Relocation Assistance Negotiable
Student Loan Repayment Negotiable