Psychologist Position Description
Position Description
Behavioral Health Services Division
Clinical Psychologist
GS-180-12
I.
Duties and Responsibilities
Incumbent provides a full range of clinical psychology services required to meet the goals and
objectives of the Service Unit Behavioral Health Program. Functions of the incumbent include
but are not limited to the following:
A. Provides a full range of psychological services including psychological assessments and
evaluations that are culturally competent, diagnosis, consultation, referral, psychotherapy,
crisis intervention and specialized inpatient and outpatient treatment, and intervention
strategies for adults, adolescents, families and children. Incumbent will also provide
treatment in the area of substance abuse disorders. These services may be performed as
necessary in field settings or at the Service Unit.
B. Provides case-oriented and program-oriented consultation to I.H.S staff, tribal
organizations/staff and community agencies.
C. Refers and coordinates behavioral health services with outside agencies to ensure appropriate
referrals, follow-up and continuity of care.
D. Participates in treatment planning on a program basis, and as part of the Behavioral Health
Services team for individual patients.
E. Promotes and implements as part of a team effort, behavioral health prevention activities and
health promotion activities focused on target groups as teenage parents and/or elderly.
F. Participates as appropriate in meetings at the Service Unit level that contribute to
development and implementation of Behavioral Health services for Native Americans. In
addition, participates in Division meetings, training, conferences and other program activities
as appropriate. Insures that steps are taken to insure that privileges and credentials are
maintained. Abides by the medical bylaws.
G. Completes Behavioral Health data forms and a narrative report of activities on a monthly
basis. Makes regular entries in the medical charts and ensures that charting is up to date per
policies and procedures.
H. Provides psychological and behavioral health services as necessary in field settings such as
homes and schools.
I. Provides educational and training programs on behavioral health topics to Service Unit staff,
tribal agencies, tribal groups and tribal leaders as requested.
J. Develops and maintains sound working relationships with Service Unit staff and outside
agency staff. Utilizes outside resources effectively.
K. Participates regularly in Service Unit Behavioral Health Program staff meetings/case
conferences/educational programs and in Area Behavioral Health Program staff
meetings/educational programs.
Factor 1. Knowledge Required by the Position
Professional knowledge of behavioral problems, psychological evaluation and diagnosis,
individual and group psychotherapy, psychological services to children, adolescents and their
families, crisis intervention, and specialized psychological treatment modalities gained through
completion of a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Psychology from a university accredited by the
appropriate regional accreditation association and through a supervised clinical internship of a
year’s duration. Such knowledge should be demonstrated by licensure as a psychologist in one or
more states to demonstrate professional competence and or listing in the National Register of
Health Service Providers. The position will require that the incumbent understand special
requirements of working with Native populations. State of the art understanding of issues such as
Historical Trauma, Internalized Oppression and Acculturation Stress is required.
Knowledge of the organizational structure of the agency to ensure proper coordination of services
through various agency levels and locations.
Factor 2. Supervisory Controls
Incumbent works under the supervision of the Behavioral Health Program Director, Santa Fe
Service Unit. Incumbent will work with full professional clinical independence. The clinical
relationship with the supervisor will be primarily consultative and collaborative. Incumbent’s
work is subject to review relative to achievement of program goals and case integration into the
Behavioral Health Team’s overall goal of comprehensive patient care.
Factor 3. Guidelines
Incumbent follows ethical standards of professional conduct generally accepted in psychology as
promulgated by the American Psychological Association. Incumbent follows Agency policies for
the provision of clinical services as delineated by IHS, USPHS, and DHHS.
Factor 4. Complexity
Work required by this position involves a high level of complexity in that many standard western
procedures such as diagnostic testing, assessment, and treatment planning may require refinement
within cultural competency parameters. Flexibility and creativity are a necessity when providing
clinical services to our very diverse population. Issues such as patient’s primary language and
underlying world-view must be part of the strategies considered by the clinician. Patient’s
treatment plan may become more complex due to overlapping and conflicting legal jurisdictions
that complicate involuntary treatment, child abuse/neglect/custody issues and placement of
children/youth in foster homes/institutions. All of the issues mentioned in Factor 4 are also
intertwined with issues of intergenerational trauma, internalized oppression, different tribal
traditions and degrees of acculturation. Taking all of the above into account, incumbent must
provide quality clinical services in diverse settings to individuals, couples and families from more
than twelve (12) tribes which vary considerably in culture, traditions, and degree of acculturation.
Factor 5. Scope of Work
The purpose of the work is to provide comprehensive psychological services for Native
Americans with an emphasis on comprehensive psychological services that are hospital-based
mental health services, and the provision of culturally competent behavioral health services. As
part of a member of a sophisticated Behavioral Health Team, the incumbent will provide services
that seek to improve the quality of life for Native Americans in the Santa Fe Service Unit.
Factor 6. Personal Contacts
Contacts are Area-wide with individuals, tribal groups, Federal, State and local agencies and
programs as dictated by program’s needs, by the Behavioral Health Director, and by the demands
of this position description. Contacts are also with individuals, couples, families and other
providers. Reporting of contacts will be part of the monthly reporting requirements.
Factor 7. Purpose of Contacts
Contacts are for the purpose of the provision of direct psychological services within a Behavioral
Health Program, for program development and planning, interagency collaboration, and to
promote integrated patient care.
Factor 8. Physical Demands
The work requires some physical exertion such as long periods of standing, sitting, operation of
motor vehicles or similar activities. Incumbent must have a valid driver’s license.
Factor 9. Work Environment
The work environment involves recognized risks of exposure to individuals who may be
emotionally disturbed.