Psychology Program Manager (Director of Training)
Department of Veterans Affairs - Nashville, TN
posted 4 days ago
About the position
The incumbent has broad program management responsibilities for the Psychology Training Programs, which include the operation and management of the practicum, internship, and postdoctoral fellowship programs in Psychology at VA TVHS. Responsible for the recruitment, review, and selection of interns employed at VA TVHS. The incumbent is wholly responsible for setting policies for the internship program which are consistent with guidelines from the VA Office of Academic Affiliations and the American Psychological Association. The incumbent is responsible for the maintenance of training records, collection of outcome data, completion of the APA self-study, ensuring that policies at VA TVHS meet APA accreditation standards, and in hosting APA site visitors for the internship program. Has oversight of administrative and programmatic resources of the Psychology Training Programs, which are highly specialized and complex, offering fully developed internship rotations and post-doctoral fellowship programs in clinical psychology. Organizes, directs, administers, and manages all aspects of the program including comprehensive planning, developing, and implementing policies and procedures, determining needs of the program, overseeing the quality and quantity of training, and establishing program initiatives and direction with the limitation of available staff and budget. Coordinates programming within the training program with Chiefs and Program Managers of other programs in Mental Health as well as with discipline supervisors of affected staff assigned to the program. The incumbent has administrative supervisory responsibility for 6 pre-doctoral psychology interns, 3 postdoctoral fellows, psychology externs (at rare times), and, at times, 4-6 WOC pre-doctoral interns. Manages all aspects of the national recruitment and selection process of psychology interns and postdoctoral fellows and oversight of recruitment and selection of practicum students. Develops program self-studies and coordinates all aspects of APA site visits as needed to maintain national accreditation. The incumbent also maintains program evaluation records consistent with APA and APPIC standards. Coordinates the assignment of trainees to clinical rotations. Develops didactic programming and oversees the recruitment of in-house staff psychologists and outside psychology consultants to ensure a sequence of training that is commensurate with trainees' developmental training needs and to promote breadth of didactic programming. Will provide direct supervision for a .5 FTEE Program Support Assistant located at either the Alvin C. York or Nashville campus of VA TVHS. The incumbent will be directly responsible for the assignment of work, and completion of performance appraisals. The incumbent will also direct any recruitment, hiring, and disciplinary actions related to these positions. Provide clinical supervision to trainees (e.g., practicum students, pre-doctoral interns, postdoctoral fellows) in accordance with VHA Handbook Policy 1400.04). Incumbent reviews and rates practicum, internship, and/or postdoctoral fellow applicants and interviews prospective applicants. Incumbent may provide didactic training to psychology trainees, as well as to trainees from other disciplines as appropriate. Provides direct patient care and psychological services. This may include psychological testing, assessment, psychotherapy (individual and group), family therapy and other interventions, consultation, and other clinical interventions which are clinically privileged. The incumbent applies his/her psychological knowledge and clinical expertise to the managerial duties for which most of this position is dedicated. The Psychology Program Manager is expected to model the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior, use empirically supported treatments, and collaborate closely with the Chief, Psychology Section.
Responsibilities
- Manage the Psychology Training Programs including practicum, internship, and postdoctoral fellowship programs.
- Recruit, review, and select interns for the VA TVHS.
- Set policies for the internship program consistent with VA Office of Academic Affiliations and APA guidelines.
- Maintain training records and collect outcome data.
- Complete APA self-study and ensure compliance with APA accreditation standards.
- Host APA site visitors for the internship program.
- Oversee administrative and programmatic resources of the Psychology Training Programs.
- Organize, direct, administer, and manage all aspects of the program.
- Coordinate programming with Chiefs and Program Managers of other Mental Health programs.
- Supervise 6 pre-doctoral psychology interns, 3 postdoctoral fellows, and psychology externs.
- Manage national recruitment and selection process for psychology interns and postdoctoral fellows.
- Develop program self-studies and coordinate APA site visits.
- Coordinate assignment of trainees to clinical rotations.
- Develop didactic programming and oversee recruitment of staff psychologists and consultants.
- Provide direct supervision for a Program Support Assistant.
- Provide clinical supervision to trainees and conduct interviews for applicants.
- Provide direct patient care and psychological services.
Requirements
- U.S. Citizenship.
- Full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level.
- Doctoral degree in psychology from an accredited program.
- Successful completion of a professional psychology internship training program accredited by APA or CPA.
- At least three years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-13 grade level.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience in managing and directing the work of others.
- Ability to utilize evidence-based practices and clinical practice guidelines.
- Skill in dealing effectively with diverse individuals and groups.
- Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems.
Benefits
- Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) eligibility.
- Comprehensive benefits package as a federal employee.
