Ascend Healthcare is committed to providing fully integrated, quality psychiatric and behavioral health services in a compassionate, convenient, and affordable manner. We work with external partners to provide services to patients across the country through integrated psychiatric medication management, substance use disorder treatment, counseling services, peer support and care coordination for seamless patient care. We believe in a “no wrong door” treatment model which finds ways to say “yes” to any patient referral rather than a multitude of exclusionary criteria found elsewhere. This approach reflects our values of improved patient and clinician experience, better outcomes, and lower costs.
The Ascend Story
Founded to transform mental health care access, Ascend Healthcare delivers integrated psychiatric and behavioral health solutions with a commitment to equity, compassion, and operational excellence. We partner directly with health centers to build fully integrated, sustainable behavioral health programs—bringing deep clinical expertise, operational support, and long-term stability.
Our work environment fosters:
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Patient-First Mindset
- Work from home opportunities
- Career Growth and Professional Development Training
Why Ascend?
You’ll be joining a team delivering innovative, compassionate care to communities that need it most. At Ascend, your work drives real impact—and your career grows alongside it. We believe in a “no wrong door” treatment model that finds ways to say “yes” to any patient referral rather than a multitude of exclusionary criteria found elsewhere.
Position Summary:
The Psychologist will be responsible for performing Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) assessments, conducting one-time, evidence-based mental health examinations for U.S. Veterans to support Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability claims. They review medical records, diagnose conditions (e.g., PTSD, depression), assess functional impairment, and complete specialized reports. This role is focused purely on assessment, distinguishing it from clinical treatment roles by providing impartial, expert evaluations for compensation and pension purposes.
Key Responsibilities and Duties:
- Clinical Evaluation: Conduct telehealth interviews to assess mental health conditions, symptoms, and their impact on daily life and social/occupational functioning.
- Documentation: Accurately complete detailed DBQ forms based on evaluation findings.
- Record Review: Analyze Electronic Medical Records (EMR) to determine service connection.
- Diagnostic Assessment: Perform diagnostic clarification for mental health disorders to determine severity
- No-Treatment Model: Focus solely on evaluation rather than providing ongoing therapy or prescribing medication.
- Collaboration: Work with VA staff or contractors to ensure timely and accurate reporting.
Required Qualifications and Skills:
- Licensure: Doctoral-level (PhD or PsyD) psychologist with an active, unrestricted license.
- Experience: Experience in diagnostic interviewing and behavioral health assessments, with a strong preference for working with Veterans.
- Knowledge: Expertise in DSM-5 criteria and ability to assess functional impairment.
- Skills: Strong analytical and report-writing skills to translate clinical findings into the VA's required format.
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm EST
Work Location: Remote
Base Compensation: $120,000-$150,000 + Eligible for pt encounter bonuses
Ascend Healthcare is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.
Ascend Healthcare participates in conducting comprehensive background checks and drug screenings for all potential employees as a contingency to gaining employment status.
