Psychology Technician
What you'd do
This position is located with the Neuromodulation Clinic of the Mental Health Service at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS) in Palo Alto, California. The Psychology Technician provides support to the Neuromodulation Clinic delivering clinical neuromodulation treatment (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation or TMS).
Major duties
***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION*** The major duties include but are not limited to: Prepares the Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) for patients. Positions patients properly and comfortably in accordance with the neuromodulation device configuration. Positions the neuromodulation device properly over the prescribed anatomic target as determined by the Neuromodulation Clinic attending Psychiatrist or qualified designee. Provides patients with hearing protection (ear plugs) and ensures they are worn properly. Activates the device to deliver neuromodulation in accordance with the prescribed "dosage" as determined by the Attending Psychiatrist or qualified designee. Provides eyes-on monitoring of the patient and device during neuromodulation delivery for possible adverse events or problems arising due to the device, coil placement or other unexpected problems. Provides monitoring of patients after self-administration of rapidly acting antidepressants (i.e., esketamine) under the supervisor of the attending Psychiatrist or qualified designee. Checks vital signs prior to self-administration of esketamine and at 20, 40, 90 and 120 minutes after self-administration. Provides daily screening and monitoring of neuromodulation patients which includes changes in medication, sleep status, mood or anxiety related to neuromodulation therapy. Assesses for use of substances and utilizes knowledge of medical/substance use that is relevant to neuromodulation therapy; Performs daily screening for suicide. Obtains vital signs (temperature, blood pressure and heart rate) and their changes and observes the general well-being and mental status of patients undergoing treatment. Administers rating scales for patients which includes maintaining sufficient rating scale packets, administering them, collecting scores and reviewing results for immediate clinical needs (i.e., report of active suicidal or homicidal ideation with a plan) and contacts the attending Psychiatrist if this occurs. Drafts daily notes in the medical record, documents the procedures performed under the appropriate note title and following established forms, filled with relevant data from the treatment. Monitors consultation requests and schedules patients with the attending Psychiatrist or qualified designee. Schedules patients for neuromodulation therapy and reminds new patients of upcoming dates or their treatment. Contributes to approved neuromodulation research protocols and program evaluation projects. Adheres to professional/ethical standard and codes of conduct. Performs other duties as required. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved
What you need to qualify
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), No person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. You must be proficient in basic written and spoken English in order to meet the requirements of this position. AND BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in an appropriate social or biological science, which included or was supplemented by 12 semester hours in psychology? (COPY OF UNDERGRADUATE TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION). In addition to meeting the English Language Proficiency and the Basic Education Requirement, to qualify for this position at the GS-7 level, you must meet one of the following requirements: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: One year of technical work under the direction of a professional psychologist in a program of professional services, training or research. At least six (6) months of such experience must be comparable in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade (GS-6) in the Federal service, or one (1) year comparable to the second lower grade (GS-5) in the Federal service. NOTE: Experience under the direction of a professional psychologist is required and MUST be documented on your resume. Technical duties include experience with one or more of the following: (1) assist in research as in systematic collection of psychology research data, recording and collecting of data, preparing tabular or graphic presentation of data, in accordance with a predetermined research plan;(2) assist counseling psychologist in contacting potential employers for purpose of making vocational placement, providing follow-up consultation, administering and scoring of interest, achievement and aptitude tests, securing work history and other relevant vocational information;(3) assist neuropsychologist in administering and scoring of selected tests of a neuropsychology battery in accordance with clearly defined procedures; (4) assist psychologists in completing behavior rating scales or in conducting behavior modification. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. OR SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED): Successfully completed one full year of graduate study in Psychology in an accredited college or university to substitute for the one year of experience to meet in full the requirements at the GS-7 level. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended. OR SUPERIOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT (SAA): SAA at the baccalaureate level in the coursework detailed above is fully qualifying. Applicants who wish to apply under this provision must submit proof from their educational institution that they meet one of the criteria listed below. To qualify for SAA, applicants must have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying for the position to be filled and meet one of the following: Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university or major subdivision. Class is defined as the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration. A grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0). This grade point average could have been determined based on 4 years of education or based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. A grade point average of "B+" (a GPA of 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0) based on courses required for my major field or courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. For a list of recognized honor societies please visit https://www.achshonor.org/ For more information regarding SAA please visit http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e5.asp#e4f NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcript with your application. Education cannot be credited without documentation For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. Depending on the essential duties of a specific position, usable vision, color vision, hearing, or speech may be required. However, in most cases, a specific physical condition or impairment will not automatically disqualify an applicant for appointment. The loss or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid. Reasonable accommodation may also be considered in determining an applicant's ability to perform the duties of a position. Reasonable accommodation may include, but is not limited to: the use of assistive devices, job modification or restructuring, provision of readers and interpreters, or adjusted work schedules.
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