Job Description

As a Navy Clinical Psychologist, you will join approximately 130 clinical psychologists who work near and far – in military hospitals and clinics in the United States, overseas, aboard aircraft carriers and with special operational units. Wherever you’re stationed, know this: You will make a tremendous difference in the quality of life for brave servicemembers across the globe.

There could be opportunities to teach at the Naval Academy or aboard various vessels. Or you could supervise training at the Navy’s APA-approved internship programs in San Diego, California, and Bethesda, Maryland.

In addition, you could enjoy access to outstanding continuing educational activities and become eligible for fellowships at prestigious universities in pediatrics and neuropsychology.

Specific Responsibilities

As a Clinical Psychologist and Officer in Navy Clinical Care, you’ll provide guidance and resources that positively affect both the on-duty and off-duty lives of servicemembers and their families in:

• Relationship issues
• Crisis intervention
• Stress management
• Depression
• Grief after loss
• Anger management
• Financial issues and planning
• Career, productivity and leadership issues
• Balancing work and social activities

While you would work with many of the same issues as a civilian psychologist, your experience will sprint ahead as you help patients deal with issues that are unique to or exacerbated by their call of duty.

Work Environment

As a Navy Clinical Care Provider, you will work in military hospitals and clinics in the U.S., overseas, aboard aircraft carriers and with special operational units. From Hawaii to Japan, Germany to Guam, and Washington, D.C., to Washington state, the sun never sets when you’re part of America’s Navy.

You could also find yourself working at one of the highly acclaimed National Naval Medical Centers in Bethesda, Maryland; Portsmouth, Virginia; and San Diego, California. Or, you could provide counseling support aboard one of two dedicated hospital ships: the USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy.

No matter where you serve, you’ll provide leadership and expertise to support your country, in support of the men and women who defend it, and the world at large.

Education Opportunities

Wherever you are in your professional career, the Navy can help ease your financial burdens and advance your career with generous financial assistance and continuing education programs.

Graduate Students

Navy Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP) – Receive 100% tuition assistance while completing an eligible clinical psychology education program plus a monthly stipend of $2,088 to help cover living expenses for up to 36 months.

Offers have many variables. To get details and find out which offer would benefit you most, request that a Navy Officer Recruiter contact you.

Practicing Professionals

Navy Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP) – Receive up to $80,000 to help repay your graduate school loans by applying to receive $40,000 each year for up to two years.*

To be eligible, you must serve as an Active Duty Medical Service Corps Officer for each year you receive the loan payment.

Offers have many variables. To get details and find out which offer would benefit you most, request that a Navy Officer Recruiter contact you.

*Offer depends on specialty, service requirement and availability.

Qualifications

To qualify for Active Duty employment consideration as a Clinical Psychologist in the Navy Medical Service Corps, you must meet these basic requirements:

• Be a U.S. citizen currently practicing in the U.S. (contact a
  Navy Medical Recruiter for details)
• Be willing to serve a minimum of three years of Active Duty
• Be between the ages of 18 and 41
• Be in good physical condition and pass a full medical examination

You must also meet the following specific requirements:

Internship:

• Completion of all academic requirements for a doctoral degree in clinical psychology or counseling psychology from a university or professional school program accredited by the American Psychological Association
• Completion of all other requirements, including doctoral committee approval of dissertation topic
• Applicants are encouraged to visit at least one of the two internship sites in Bethesda, Maryland, and San Diego, California.
• Applications must be completed by December 1 (selection board meets in late January, with applicants informed of its decision the second Tuesday of February; date is set nationally for internships by the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers [APPIC])

Direct Accession (Officer appointment directly into Active Duty service):

• Doctoral degree in clinical or counseling psychology from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA)
• Current state license to independently practice as a clinical psychologist
• Doctoral degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). A bachelor’s degree is required to enter this five-year program. Upon completion, you are commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Navy

You may also be expected to meet certain preferred requirements:

Internship:

• GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Completion of doctoral dissertation
• Experience with inpatient and outpatient care (either as part of training or employment), as well as assessment (testing)
• Health psychology/behavioral medicine experience

Direct Accession:

• Inpatient and outpatient experience
• Experience in crisis intervention or disaster mental health, or working with individuals who have been traumatized
• Health psychology/behavioral medicine experience
• Professional references that indicate superior clinical knowledge and supervisory/leadership skills

After the Navy

“The Navy also pays for board certification, which is a key milestone in most clinical psychologists’ careers. It shows to your patients and the public that you’ve obtained a high level of training and knowledge. And it also opens many doors for you for job opportunities, both in the Navy as well as … the civilian sector after your time on Active Duty.” – LT J. Porter Evans, Clinical Psychologist

In the Navy, you’ll find unrivaled training and educational opportunities, incomparable benefits and experience, and deeper pride and purpose. You’ll also find superior career advancement opportunities that will pay off long after you return to the civilian world.