Staff Psychologist – PCMHI
Veterans Health Administration · Department of Veterans Affairs
This job in plain English
This is a Staff Psychologist job at the Chula Vista VA Primary Care Clinic in Chula Vista, CA, with the Veterans Health Administration. The psychologist works on a team with primary care, nursing, pharmacy and social work staff. The job is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, a student loan repayment program, and it closes once 50 applications are received.
It may close early. This job will close once 50 applications are received, which may be before the closing date.
Can you apply?
Yes, if you are a U.S. citizen: this job is open to everyone.
- Open to everyoneAny U.S. citizen or national can apply. Some jobs also accept non-citizens; the announcement says so.
Only U.S. citizens can apply. The job is open to the public.
What you would do
- Provide brief individual and group therapy for Veterans in primary care.
- Perform risk assessments and crisis intervention for Veterans.
- Develop and document treatment plans for assigned patients.
- Consult with psychiatrists, social workers, nurses and other medical staff.
- Analyze clinic data to answer operational questions.
Do you qualify for GS-11 to GS-13?
With experience: For GS-11, no experience beyond the basic requirements is needed. For GS-12, you need at least 1 year of experience as a professional psychologist at the GS-11 level, plus specific skills in psychological treatment and treatment design. For GS-13, you need at least 2 years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least 1 year at the GS-12 level, plus skills in advising and consulting.
With education: You need a doctoral degree in psychology from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), in a specialty that matches the job. You also need a completed internship from an APA or CPA accredited program that matches the job. Other paths are allowed, such as a re-specialization program or a doctoral degree awarded from 1951 to 1978 with a mainly psychological dissertation.
Licenses and certifications you need:
- Full, current, unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
- Non-licensed applicants may get a temporary 'graduate psychologist' appointment for up to 2 years at GS-11 or GS-12, but must work under a licensed psychologist's supervision.
How to apply well
What to send:
- Long-form resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
- Transcript, if you use education to qualify
- Copy of your license
- Cover letter, if required
- DD-214 or Statement of Service, if you claim veterans' preference
- SF-50, if you are a current or former federal employee
- Disability letter, if you claim Schedule A or VA disability status
How you will be rated: You are rated on how well you meet the qualifications. Your experience, resume or CV and documents will be verified, and missing or unclear information may lower your rating or make you ineligible.
Tips for this job:
- Use a long-form resume or CV that clearly lists your dates, hours and duties, since experience is verified.
- If you use education to qualify, attach transcripts from accredited programs only.
- Submit your full application package by 11:59 PM ET on 11/06/2026, including all required documents and the questionnaire.
Good to know before you apply
Schedule: Full-time, Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The tour is flexible within those hours.
Incentives and relocation: Sign-on bonuses and relocation expenses are not authorized. The Education Debt Reduction Program (student loan repayment) is authorized, but former EDRP participants cannot apply for the incentive. You must submit the EDRP application within four months of appointment, and the award is decided after review.
Conditions of employment:
- U.S. citizenship required
- Drug test (urinalysis) before appointment
- Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959
- Must be proficient in written and spoken English
- Background and security investigation
- Online onboarding with acceptable identification; non-REAL ID licenses are not accepted
- Pre-employment physical exam
- Seasonal influenza vaccination required (or medical or religious exemption)
- 1 or 2-year trial period
We wrote this summary automatically from the official announcement. The announcement on USAJOBS is the only one that counts: read it before you apply.
Job details
- Salary
- $105,262 – $195,037 per year
- Pay scale and grade
- GS-11 to GS-13 · General Schedule
- Location
- Chula Vista, California
- Appointment
- Permanent
- Work schedule
- Full-time
- Service
- Excepted
- Openings
- 1
- Security clearance
- Not Required
- Travel
- Not required
- Drug test
- Not required
- Supervisory
- No
- Occupation
- Psychology (0180)
- Announcement
- CBSX-13103084-27-CLB
More jobs like this
-
Commander, Navy Installations Command · Lemoore Naval Air Station, California$89,959 – $116,949 per year GS-12 PermanentSpecial hiring authorities +5Closes today
-
Veterans Health Administration · Mather AFB, California and 1 more$116,445 – $215,758 per year GS-11 to GS-13 PermanentOpen to everyoneCloses in 7 days
-
Veterans Health Administration · Redding, California and 1 more$107,003 – $225,911 per year GS-11 to GS-13 PermanentOpen to everyoneCloses in 7 days
-
Veterans Health Administration · San Diego, California$177,286 – $228,000 per year GS-14 PermanentAgency employees onlyCloses in 3 days
-
Veterans Health Administration · San Diego, California$177,286 – $228,000 per year GS-14 PermanentOpen to everyoneCloses in 3 days