Description
Summary This position is located within the Fargo VA Health Care System, Fargo, ND and is organizationally aligned under the Mental Health Service Line, Psychology Department. The primary purpose of this position is to provide neuropsychological and personality assessments and intervention, research, data analytics and program support to the Mental Health Service Line. Responsibilities The position is responsible for analyzing and evaluating mechanisms for successful data capture and maximizing data management efforts. The position will be also responsible to ensure accurate, timely and consistent data is entered into the appropriate database in collaboration with psychological research being conducted within the facility. The incumbent will be responsible for administration and scoring of personality and neurocognitive assessments for Veterans as requested by Fargo VA Health Care System staff. Other duties include, but are not limited to: Administer and score a wide array of psychological and neuropsychological tests. Assess data reflective of patient's requirements related to age-related physical, psychosocial and culture and adapt clinical approach as needed. Use computer, specifically excel, Access and SPSS, used to administer and score psychological tests. Make decisions regarding appropriate use of psychological tests. Prepares data sheets, data tracking and assists with patient scheduling for assessment consults. Provide training to Psychology trainees in the administration and scoring of assessment batteries upon consultation and under the supervision of the licensed psychologist. Monitors the security of patient data files, test materials, and equipment and maintains filing system of patient data in accordance with VA regulations. Uses interpersonal skills to successfully interface with providers and staff from various disciplines. Communicates orally with individuals from varying backgrounds. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health Science Specialist/PD402890 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 05/11/2022. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Basic Requirement: Must have a bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree: major study in an academic field related to the medical field, health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position. Note: You must provide a copy of your transcripts to receive consideration. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Administration and scoring of a wide variety of psychological and neuropsychological tests. Basic understanding and experience with research studies such organizing clinical research activities, setting up and maintaining research study records, analyzing data from various sources, familiarity with data analytics programs such as SPSS, and ability to follow research regulatory guidelines. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successful completion of two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of specialized experience, and education beyond one year of graduate-level education. Only graduate level education in excess of one year (excess of 18 semester hours) may be combined with experience. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: CommunicationComputer SkillsDecision MakingOrganizational StewardshipTechnical Competence 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; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The position requires manual dexterity, proficient handwriting ability and speed, typing skills and mild physical exertion (i.e., lifting of test supplies, records and equipment). Walking/independent mobility, listening, writing and sitting for prolonged periods of time (2-8 hours) is also required. Incumbent may be required to work under stressful situations with uncooperative, poorly motivated, and possibly emotionally distressed and sometimes disruptive patients. The ability to tolerate the non-physical demands of this position are critical to the incumbent's ability to be successful in this role. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: Additional Information The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. For more information on the "Who may apply" eligibility requirements, please refer to the OHRM Status Candidates and Other Candidate Definitions document. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.
