Become a Staff Psychologist in Pain Management: Join the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System in Grand Island

Clinical psychologists seeking a career that blends profound public service with top-tier professional rewards will find an unparalleled opportunity with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is actively recruiting a Staff Psychologist specializing in Pain Management for its clinic in Grand Island, Nebraska.

Chronic pain is one of the most complex challenges facing America's Veteran population today. By integrating physical rehabilitation with psychological resilience, the VHA has positioned itself as a global leader in progressive, whole-health pain management models. This role offers clinical psychologists the platform to apply evidence-based strategies in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment while benefiting from exceptional federal compensation, comprehensive health benefits, and unparalleled student loan repayment programs.

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About the Agency: The Veterans Health Administration

The Veterans Health Administration is the largest integrated healthcare system in the United States, providing comprehensive care to millions of Veterans. The VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System (NWIHCS) serves more than 56,000 Veterans across 99 counties in Nebraska, western Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. This extensive network includes a primary tertiary medical center in Omaha, two large clinical hubs in Lincoln and Grand Island, two Community Living Centers, and five community-based outpatient clinics.

Operating under the "Whole Health" philosophy, the VA empowers Veterans to take charge of their health and well-being. Unlike traditional medical models that focus solely on symptom reduction, the Whole Health approach focuses on what matters most to the patient, facilitating healing through supportive clinical relationships, state-of-the-art mental health integration, and deep community connections. Grand Island itself provides a high-quality, family-friendly Midwestern environment with a remarkably low cost of living, low unemployment, and excellent work-life balance.

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Job Responsibilities: Empowering Veterans in Pain Management

As a Staff Psychologist specializing in Pain Management, you will deliver psychological care tailored to Veterans experiencing chronic physical pain, complex trauma, and co-occurring mental health disorders. Acting as an essential clinical resource, your major duties will include:

• Comprehensive Psychological Assessments: Conducting detailed behavioral medicine evaluations and diagnostic interviews using standardized tools to understand how physical limitations interact with psychological distress.
• Evidence-Based Psychotherapies: Utilizing targeted, clinical interventions—such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), biofeedback, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and behavioral health consultations.
• Multidisciplinary Team Integration: Partnering closely with primary care providers, physical therapists, neurologists, and clinical pharmacists to build cohesive, personalized whole-health care plans.
• Risk Assessment and Management: Executing critical mental health evaluations, identifying self-harm risks, and implementing suicide prevention protocols and crisis management strategies.
• Supervision and Consultation: Providing high-caliber guidance, clinical supervision, and professional training to unlicensed graduate psychologists, clinical trainees, and interns.
• Performance and Quality Improvement: Designing and contributing to quality assurance audits, scientific research, and evidence-based committees to elevate the standard of pain psychology practices.

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Key Qualifications, Education, and Licensure Requirements

To ensure the highest standard of clinical excellence, the VHA sets rigorous entry requirements for psychologist appointments. To be considered eligible, you must meet the following baseline criteria:

1. Citizenship and Language

• Citizenship: You must be a United States citizen. (Non-citizens can only be appointed if there are no qualified citizens available, under strict VHA compliance guidelines).
• English Language Proficiency: You must possess strong verbal and written communication skills in English.

2. Education

• You must hold a doctoral degree in clinical, counseling, or combined psychology from an academic program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time of your graduation. Note: School psychology degrees do not qualify for this VHA clinical role.
• Alternatively, candidates with a doctoral degree in another area of psychology must have successfully completed a formal re-specialization program accredited by the APA or CPA, including an approved internship.

3. Professional Internship

• You must have completed a professional psychology internship training program accredited by the APA or CPA at the time of completion.
• Exceptions exist for new VHA internships in the process of accreditation, pre-1979 VHA internships, or candidates who possess active board certification from the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).

4. Licensure and Supervised Practice Exceptions

• Candidates must hold a full, active, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
• Supervised Exception: Unlicensed "Graduate Psychologists" who meet all other education and internship requirements may receive a temporary, supervised appointment at the GS-11 or GS-12 grade. This temporary appointment is valid for up to two years, during which the candidate must obtain unrestricted licensing.

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GS Grade Levels & Eligibility Criteria

Candidate placements and starting salaries are determined by a formal board review assessing professional experience and clinical competency levels:

GS Grade Level	Required Post-Doctoral Experience	Licensing Status Required	Core Skills & Competencies Expected
GS-11 (Entry Level)	None (Basic Education/Internship only)	Unlicensed / Under Supervision	Fundamental clinical assessment, introductory treatment implementation, and adherence to ethical guidelines.
GS-12 (Developmental)	Minimum 1 year equivalent to GS-11	Unlicensed (Supervised) or Licensed	Advanced application of psychological therapies, active program design, basic clinical research tasks, and clinical independence.
GS-13 (Full Performance)	Minimum 2 years equivalent to GS-12	Full, Unrestricted State License	Full autonomous clinical practice, specialized behavioral health advice, clinical literature mastery, and staff supervision.

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Salary and Total Rewards: A Comprehensive Compensation Package

The VHA provides its healthcare professionals with competitive salaries and an incredibly rich benefits package that outclasses most private sector practices.

• Annual Base Salary: $92,662 to $171,691 per year, with regular performance-based salary increases.
• Incredible Paid Leave: 37 to 50 days of total paid time off annually, consisting of:
  • 13 to 26 days of annual vacation leave
  • 13 sick leave days
  • 11 paid federal holidays
• Federal Retirement Plan (FERS): A guaranteed, defined-benefit pension vesting after just 5 years of federal service, paired with the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) 401(k) equivalent offering up to a 5% agency matching contribution.
• Paid Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child (available after 12 months of service).
• Child Care Assistance: A dedicated childcare subsidy up to 25% of eligible expenses (maximum of $416.66 per month) for full-time employees with an annual family income under $144,000.
• Premium Insurance Coverage: Comprehensive health, dental, vision, long-term care, and life insurance plans, many of which can be carried directly into retirement.

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Robust Student Loan Reimbursement Programs

For many clinical psychologists, educational debt can be a major financial burden. VHA clinical positions offer highly attractive loan repayment solutions:

1. Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): This position is fully authorized for EDRP. Eligible newly appointed clinicians can receive up to $200,000 in tax-free student loan reimbursement over a one-to-five-year period, subject to program office approval. Applications must be submitted within the first four months of hire.
2. Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP): In addition to EDRP, this occupational series may be eligible for SLRP, providing up to $10,000 annually and up to $60,000 in lifetime awards in exchange for a signed service agreement.

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Step-by-Step Application Guide & Insider Tips

Applying for a federal position requires meticulous attention to detail. Follow these steps to ensure your application package gets referred to the hiring manager:

• Step 1: Download the Standard Resume: To prevent issues with USAJobs document size restrictions, download the VA Standard Clinical Resume Document. This single-page form must be uploaded to the restricted 'Resume' slot of USAJobs.
• Step 2: Upload Your Detailed CV: Do not truncate your qualifications! Upload your full, multi-page Curriculum Vitae (without page limitations) to the 'Other' document upload field to show your detailed work history, research publications, and clinical clinical accomplishments.
• Step 3: Gather Academic Evidence: You must provide official or unofficial transcripts confirming your doctoral degree. Foreign degrees must be accompanied by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.
• Step 4: Prepare Support Documentation: Ensure you upload your active psychology license (if applicable), professional certifications, DD-214 (for veterans claiming preference), and SF-50 forms (for current or former federal employees).
• Step 5: Complete the Occupational Questionnaire: Thoroughly complete the questionnaire, matching your CV statements directly to your responses. Submit everything before the closing date.

Application Pro-Tip: The VA evaluates your experience based on the clear, explicit details you provide. Do not assume the evaluation panel will infer your clinical expertise. Highlight your experience in pain-focused therapies (like CBT-CP) and multidisciplinary environments directly in your CV text.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can non-licensed psychologists apply for this role?

Yes. Non-licensed doctoral graduates may be appointed as temporary "Graduate Psychologists" at the GS-11 or GS-12 levels. You will work under the supervision of a licensed psychologist and are required to secure an active state license within two years of hire.

2. Is this a remote or virtual position?

No. This position is based on-site in Grand Island, Nebraska. While ad-hoc telework might be authorized in specific circumstances, this is a permanent physical clinical post.

3. Does this position require travel?

Travel requirements are minimal and would generally be restricted to regional training sessions or coordination meetings across the Nebraska-Western Iowa network.

4. What is the deadline to apply?

The application period closes on August 11, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

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Conclusion: Take the Next Step in Your Psychology Career

Working as a Staff Psychologist in Pain Management at the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System in Grand Island is more than a job—it is a calling. This position provides clinical independence, a deeply supportive whole-health team environment, an exceptional quality of life, and unmatched financial benefits like the $200,000 EDRP loan reimbursement program.

If you are ready to make a profound difference in the lives of American Veterans while securing your own financial and professional future, take action today. Submit your application and join the mission to care for those who have served.