Transforming Veteran Care: Clinical Psychologist Career Opportunities at the VA Boston Healthcare System

For clinical psychologists seeking a deeply purposeful career path, few settings match the impact of working within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Our nation's Veterans face unique psychological landscapes. From overcoming complex traumas incurred in combat to navigating the everyday challenges of transitioning back to civilian life, their resilience is profound—and their need for expert, compassionate mental health care is vital.

At the forefront of addressing these challenges is the VA Boston Healthcare System (VABHS), currently seeking a dedicated, forward-thinking Clinical Psychologist to join its highly specialized Trauma Recovery Section and PTSD Clinic at the Brockton, Massachusetts campus. Operating in a premier academic medical environment, this role isn't simply a job; it is an invitation to provide life-altering, evidence-based care while advancing your professional skills, benefiting from unrivaled compensation and loan reimbursement packages, and honoring those who have served.

About the Agency: The Veterans Health Administration

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing comprehensive care to millions of Veterans across thousands of facilities. Grounded in the timeless promise voiced by President Abraham Lincoln—"To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan"—the VHA is built on a foundation of deeply held core values: Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence, known collectively as the "I CARE" principles.

The VA Boston Healthcare System represents a cornerstone of academic and clinical excellence within the VHA network. Famous for its heavy integration with major medical schools, its extensive research portfolio, and its robust training pipelines for future clinical psychologists, the Boston system offers an intellectually stimulating, collaborative, and resource-rich setting. Here, clinicians are empowered to balance clinical practice with scientific inquiries, administrative development, and professional mentorship.

Job Responsibilities

The Clinical Psychologist selected for this position will be based at the Brockton Campus within the Trauma Recovery Section. The primary clinical focus centers on providing care to Veterans diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and associated co-occurring conditions, including substance use disorders, mood instability, anxiety, and interpersonal difficulties.

Key duties include:

Comprehensive Diagnostics: Conducting initial clinical screenings, multimodal psychiatric evaluations, and standardized psychodiagnostic testing for newly referred Veterans to determine appropriate therapeutic pathways.
Evidence-Based Intervention: Delivering highly structured, individual and group psychotherapy protocols. While administering a range of modalities, clinicians are expected to actively implement evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), and Written Exposure Therapy (WET).
Interdisciplinary Consultation: Collaborating with colleagues across inpatient units, outpatient programs, residential treatment environments, and primary care sectors to ensure seamless, holistic patient management.
Staff Training and Professional Development: Educating and mentoring non-mental health medical staff, clinical trainees, and the broader healthcare community on trauma-informed protocols and the unique clinical profiles of post-traumatic recovery.

Requirements & Educational Paths

To ensure our Veterans receive world-class care, applicants must meet precise educational, licensing, and professional criteria. The minimum qualification standards for VHA psychologists are strictly regulated under Federal law:

U.S. Citizenship: Applicants must hold United States citizenship.
Education: Candidates must possess a doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in psychology. This degree must be earned from a graduate 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 completion. Re-specialization programs meeting identical criteria are acceptable. Note: School psychology degrees do not qualify for this medical agency.
Internship: Completion of an APA or CPA-accredited doctoral internship is required. Restricted exceptions apply for historic programs completed prior to 1979, or for applicants holding current board certification by the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP).
Licensure: Candidates must hold an active, valid, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in any U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
General Standards: Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory. Selected candidates must complete a physical health assessment, background screening, and pre-employment drug testing.

Grading Structure Comparison

Qualifying candidates will be placed in the GS-11, GS-12, or GS-13 pay grades depending on their post-doctoral training, licensing status, and clinical experience. The table below outlines how these grades compare:

Pay Grade	Minimum Post-Doctoral Experience	Licensing Requirements	Key Clinical Expectation
GS-11 (Entry Level)	None beyond the basic doctoral and internship requirements.	Unlicensed candidates accepted; must practice under close supervision.	Diagnose basic mental disorders, administer assessments, and deliver direct psychotherapy under clinical supervision.
GS-12 (Developmental)	At least 1 year of professional experience equivalent to the GS-11 level.	Unlicensed candidates accepted; must practice under general supervision.	Design and implement treatment plans, adapt novel clinical methodologies, and coordinate program evaluations.
GS-13 (Full Performance)	At least 2 years of experience (with 1 year equivalent to GS-12).	Full, current, and unrestricted state licensure is mandatory.	Practice independently as a credentialed provider, offer cross-departmental consultations, and lead program initiatives.

Salary and Unrivaled Benefits

The VA provides a highly competitive remuneration package paired with some of the most stable and comprehensive benefits available in the healthcare industry today.

Financial Compensation & Student Loan Help

Salary Range: $92,075 to $170,604 per year, depending on the determined GS grade and step placement. Special salary rates may apply, and higher steps can be negotiated for exceptionally qualified candidates.
Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP): This position is fully authorized for the EDRP, offering up to $200,000 in tax-free student loan reimbursement over a five-year period. Applications must be completed within four months of hiring.

Paid Time Off & Family Support

Exceptional Leave: Receive between 37 and 50 days of total paid time off annually. This includes 13 to 26 days of annual vacation leave, 13 accrued sick days, and 11 paid Federal holidays.
Paid Parental Leave: Fully paid leave of up to 12 weeks following the birth, adoption, or foster placement of a child (applicable after 12 months of federal service).
Childcare Subsidies: Assistance programs are available for employees with household incomes under $144,000, covering up to 25% of monthly childcare expenses.

Healthcare, Insurance & Retirement

Retirement Security: Enjoy a dual-benefit retirement scheme combining a traditional Federal Pension (vesting after only 5 years) and the Thrift Savings Plan (401k match up to 5%).
Insurance: Extensive health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance choices, many of which can carry forward into retirement.

Pro Tips for Your VA Application

Navigating the federal hiring process requires attention to detail. Follow these strategic tips to optimize your application:

Use the Standard VA Clinical Resume Template: The hiring team strongly requires that you download and utilize the standard VA clinical resume document (accessible via the link in the job post). Upload this one-page form into the restricted "Resume" field on USAJobs, and upload your complete, multi-page CV into the "Other" document slot.
Be Detailed with Dates and Hours: Federal HR specialists cannot make assumptions. Your CV must explicitly list start/end dates (Month/Year) and specify full-time or part-time hours per week (e.g., "40 hours/week") for every role. Failure to include this will result in loss of experience credit.
Submit Your SF-50: If you are a current or former federal employee, you must attach your most recent, non-award SF-50. Ensure it lists your position title, grade, step, and tenure.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is telework available for this role?

Ad-hoc telework is supported on a case-by-case basis as determined by department policies and clinical coverage needs. However, this is primarily an onsite position based at the Brockton Campus.

2. Can I apply if I did my internship at a non-accredited facility?

Generally, VHA guidelines require an APA or CPA-accredited doctoral internship. However, exceptions exist for individuals who completed pre-1979 VA internships or those who currently hold an active ABPP board certification in a relevant specialty.

3. How long is the probationary period?

This position requires serving a one- to two-year trial period to evaluate performance and professional fitness in advancing federal service goals.

4. Who can I contact regarding the EDRP student loan program?

Interested applicants can contact Karen Chapman, the EDRP Coordinator, at [email protected] for personalized assistance regarding loan eligibility.

Joining the VA Boston Healthcare System as a Clinical Psychologist is a unique opportunity to elevate your clinical practice while directly serving the nation's heroes. With a competitive salary scale up to $170,604, standard-setting medical benefits, generous retirement pensions, and up to $200,000 in student loan reimbursement, this role represents the pinnacle of professional stability and personal reward. Prepare your application, utilize the correct clinical resume template, and submit your materials by September 11, 2026, to take the next step in your professional journey.

Why This Clinical Psychologist Job Matters

Empower America's heroes on their healing journey. Join the VA Boston Healthcare System as a Clinical Psychologist, combat PTSD through evidence-based care, and receive up to $200,000 in student loan reimbursement.

Clinical Psychologist Job Overview

The VA Boston Healthcare System is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Clinical Psychologist to join the Trauma Recovery Section and PTSD Clinic at its Brockton campus. This full-time role is highly centered on providing robust, evidence-based psychotherapeutic and diagnostic interventions to Veterans managing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and intersecting clinical complexities, such as substance use and mood disorders. Operating within a prominent academic medical center, this position offers an exceptional opportunity to balance high-impact clinical work with professional development. Qualified candidates may also benefit from the Education Debt Reduction Program, offering up to $200,000 in student loan assistance.

Requirements for Clinical Psychologist

Must be a citizen of the United States.
Hold a doctoral degree in psychology from a program accredited by the APA, CPA, or PCSAS (excluding school psychology specialization).
Must have successfully completed an APA or CPA-accredited professional psychology internship (with narrow historical exceptions).
Hold a current, active, and completely unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a U.S. State, Territory, or Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
Must pass a pre-employment drug screening and background investigation.
Must show English language proficiency in both written and spoken communication.
Must comply with seasonal influenza vaccination mandates or obtain an authorized exemption.
Subject to a one- or two-year trial/probationary period.

Preferred Qualifications for Clinical Psychologist

Prior specialized training and experience delivering Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), or Written Exposure Therapy (WET).
Clinical experience treating co-occurring PTSD and substance use disorders.
Experience working in a multidisciplinary, fast-paced academic medical center.

Federal Benefits & Perks

✓Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) offering up to $200,000 in student loan reimbursement.
✓Competitive base salary with regular, predictable performance-based increases.
✓37 to 50 days of paid time off annually (including 13-26 vacation days, 13 sick days, and 11 paid Federal holidays).
✓Up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave after 12 months of service.
✓Childcare subsidy program eligibility for lower-to-middle income families.
✓Traditional federal pension vesting after 5 years of service.
✓Thrift Savings Plan (TSP/401k) with up to a 5% employer match.
✓Robust federal health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance programs.
✓Ad-hoc telework opportunities as determined by local leadership.

💡 How to Apply Clinical Psychologist Job & Insider Tips

Application Steps for Clinical Psychologist Job

Prepare your resume utilizing the standard VA Clinical Resume template provided in the vacancy announcement.
Navigate to the official USAJobs posting and select 'Apply Online'.
Log into your account, attach your clinical resume under 'Other', and upload the mandatory one-page clinical questionnaire in the 'Resume' upload field.
Provide supporting documentation including active state licensure, transcripts, and your most recent SF-50 (if you are a current or former federal employee).
Complete the comprehensive online occupational questionnaire.
Verify all uploaded attachments are complete and submit your application package prior to 11:59 PM Eastern Time on September 11, 2026.

💡 General Tips

Ensure your primary resume outlines precise details for each past role, specifically highlighting start and end dates (Month/Year) and the number of hours worked per week.
Avoid leaving any gaps in your professional timeline, and clearly connect your experience to the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) defined under the GS-12 and GS-13 criteria.
Do not modify the formatting of the downloadable VA Clinical Resume template; upload it directly to satisfy initial screening requirements.
If you have previous federal service, ensure your uploaded SF-50 is a non-award version that displays your exact grade, step, and tenure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)?

The EDRP is a student loan repayment incentive that reimburses up to $200,000 of qualifying educational debt. Selected applicants must submit their application within four months of their official start date, and eligibility is subject to VHA review.

Can I apply for this position if I am currently unlicensed?

Yes. Applicants who meet the educational and internship requirements but do not yet hold a state license can be hired at the GS-11 or GS-12 levels. However, they must practice under the close supervision of a licensed psychologist and are expected to obtain licensure within the timeline established by VHA guidelines.

Will relocation expenses be reimbursed for this position?

No, a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) or relocation incentive is not authorized for this specific vacancy.

What is the performance level of this position?

The full performance level of this position is GS-13. However, selections can be made at the GS-11, GS-12, or GS-13 grade levels depending on the applicant's credentials and years of post-doctoral clinical experience.