Summary
The Psychology Technician position involves the performance of technical work in a program of research and direct services in neuropsychology. This position involves a practical understanding of many of the principles, methods and techniques of psychology. Psychology Technician work is performed for its immediate productive value, is typically limited in breadth, and does not provide substantial development of broader psychological skills, knowledge, and insights.
Duties
Major Duties: Independently administers and scores neuropsychological assessment instruments, including complex standardized tests of intelligence, academic achievement, attention, memory, speech language functions, visuospatial/constructional skills, motor skills, and executive functions, as well as cognitive screening tools and extended batteries designed to assess neuropsychological abilities. The instruments used include specialized, complicated neuropsychological assessment techniques, beyond introductory assessment knowledge, requiring more extensive training and skill in administration and scoring. Some of the specific, complex measures used for these purposes include WeschIer Adult Intelligence Scale, WeschIer Individual Achievement Test, Reynolds Intellectual Screening Test, Wide Range Achievement Test, Wechsler Memory Scale, California Verbal Learning Test, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Hopkins Verbal Learning Test, Brief Visuospatial Memory Test, Controlled Oral Word Association Test, Neuropsychological Assessment Battery, Judgement of Line Orientation, Wisconsin Card Sorting Testing, Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System, Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status, Grooved Pegboard Test. While on rare occasions duties may include only screening of behavioral, cognitive, psychological, and other symptoms, the majority of assessments will involve in-depth comprehensive neuropsychological assessment of multiple domains of cognition as described above and assessment of psychological functioning. Conducts a comprehensive battery of standardized neuropsychological tests, during in-person/face-to-face appointments. On rare occasions, brief assessments may be conducted via telehealth or comprehensive assessments may include a combination of in-room/face-to-face testing and remote/room-to-room testing within the clinic. Provides services to a subset of patients who exhibit complex diagnoses, such as patients with severe neurological disorders, including traumatic brain injuries, stroke, seizure disorders, aphasia, neurosyphilis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and severe mental health conditions, such as bipolar disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders. Administers tests to patients of diverse backgrounds, with awareness of cultural and linguistic factors that may impact test validity. This may include further assessment of language preferences, administration of tests that aid the neuropsychologist in determining language proficiency, and/or administration of a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological and psychological tests in Spanish, if the applicant is fluent in Spanish. Administers and scores measures for purposes of assessment of emotional status, personality, and/or functional capability. Measures used for these purposes include complex measures such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functions, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Beck Depression Inventory. Provides patients and/or significant others with a rationale for specific testing procedures. Operates equipment such as computers, tape recorders, or other specialized assessment equipment. Uses computers for purposes of data entry, scoring, and analysis for program evaluation and research purposes. Encourages the cooperation of patients during the entire assessment procedure through the use of evidence-based motivational interviewing techniques. Establishes and maintains effective rapport with all types of patients and provides an appropriate, non-threatening setting for optimal test performance by patients. Provides sensitive communication with patients with disabilities and adapts assessment approaches or procedures in a manner to meet any special problems or needs related to these disabilities. This may include using assistive devices or other adaptations to minimize the impact of vision, hearing, or other sensory limitations for optimal test performance by patients. Provides verbal and written observations of patient test behavior. Observes atypical habits, physical disabilities, emotional and personality features, and any previous injury that might have a bearing on test performance. Collect relevant demographic and psychosocial information from a patient and/or collateral informant. Document relevant demographic information in medical records and on test protocols as needed. Major Duties Continues in Qualification section below: Work Schedule: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday Telework: Ad-hoc only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Psychology Technician - Neuropsychology/PD00712A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 Physical Requirements: A pre-placement physical examination is required. Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
How you will be evaluated
Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position: Psychology Information Management Interpersonal Skills Your 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. 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. IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on the online assessment may also result in your removal from consideration. 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. Special Employment Consideration: VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply, including those eligible for hiring under 5 CFR 213.3102(u), Schedule A, Appointment of persons with disabilities [i.e., intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities], and/or Disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. Contact the Agency Contact for information on how to apply under this appointment authority via the Selective Placement Coordinator. To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Resume