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Va Psychologist Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

U.S. Navy

Clinical Psychologist - $65k Bonus

Geneseo, NY · On-site

$65K/yr

... VA • Bethesda, MD • Additional locations available nationwide and overseas Minimum Requirements: • Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical Psychology from an APA ...

All JobsVa Psychologist JobsVa Psychologist Jobs in Rochester, NY

Va Psychologist information

See Rochester, NY salary details

$10.9K

$91.6K

$393.2K

How much do va psychologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for va psychologist in Rochester, NY is $91,576.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,600.00 and $115,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a VA psychologist do?

A VA psychologist provides mental health assessment, diagnosis, and treatment to veterans, addressing issues such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. They may conduct therapy sessions, develop treatment plans, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals, often working in clinical settings and requiring licensure in psychology.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a VA psychologist?

To thrive as a VA Psychologist, you need a doctoral degree in psychology, state licensure, and specialized training in areas like clinical or counseling psychology. Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems, standardized psychological assessments, and evidence-based therapeutic modalities is crucial. Exceptional communication, empathy, and cultural sensitivity help build trust and rapport with veterans from diverse backgrounds. These skills and qualifications are vital for delivering effective mental health care and supporting the unique needs of veterans in the VA system.

What is a VA psychologist?

VA Psychologists are licensed mental health professionals who work within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide psychological assessment, therapy, and support to veterans. They help address a wide range of mental health issues, such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, often related to military service. VA Psychologists work in various settings, including VA hospitals, outpatient clinics, and community-based centers, collaborating with other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care for veterans.

What is the difference between Va Psychologist vs Va Therapist?

AspectVa PsychologistVa Therapist
Required CredentialsDoctoral degree (PhD or PsyD), licensureMaster's degree in counseling, social work, or related field, licensure or certification
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, private practice, VA facilitiesCommunity clinics, VA outpatient centers, private practice
Employer & IndustryVeterans Affairs, healthcare, mental health servicesVeterans Affairs, mental health, community health
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Va Psychologists typically hold doctoral degrees and provide comprehensive mental health assessments and therapy. Va Therapists usually have master's degrees and focus on counseling and supportive therapy. Both roles serve veterans within the VA system but differ in education, scope, and responsibilities.

What challenges do VA psychologists face when working with veterans?

VA Psychologists often encounter unique challenges, such as addressing complex trauma, PTSD, and co-occurring mental health conditions prevalent among veterans. They may also work with clients who have strong emotional responses or are initially hesitant to engage in therapy. To prepare, psychologists benefit from specialized training in evidence-based treatments for trauma and military cultural competence. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams and ongoing professional development are essential to providing effective care and managing the emotional demands of the role.

How to become a VA psychologist?

To become a VA psychologist, you typically need a doctoral degree in psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.), completion of supervised clinical training, and licensure in your state. Additionally, applying for positions through the VA requires meeting specific employment criteria, including background checks and sometimes additional certifications such as VA-specific training or security clearances.
What are popular job titles related to Va Psychologist jobs in Rochester, NY? For Va Psychologist jobs in Rochester, NY, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Va Psychologist jobs in Rochester, NY look for? The top searched job categories for Va Psychologist jobs in Rochester, NY are:
What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Va Psychologist jobs? Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Va Psychologist job openings:
Va Psychologist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Va Psychologist job openings in Rochester, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,576 per year, or $44 per hour.

Staff Psychologist

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Batavia, NY • On-site

$75K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.Qualifications:Applicants pending the completion of educational, or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
Basic Qualifications: The basic requirements for employment as a VHA psychologist are prescribed by Public Law 96-151 codified in 38 U.S.C. 7402. To qualify for appointment, all applicants for the position of psychologist in VHA must meet the following:
  1. Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.g, this part.)
  2. Education: Have a doctoral degree in psychology from a graduate program in psychology accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS), or the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) at the time the program was completed. The specialty area of the degree must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED TO VERIFY EDUCATION
OR,
  1. Have a doctoral degree in any area of psychology and, in addition, successfully complete a re- specialization program (including documentation of an approved internship completed as part of the re- specialization program) meeting both of the following conditions:
    • The re-specialization program must be completed in an APA or a CPA accredited doctoral program; and,
    • the specialty in which the applicant is retrained must be consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.
  2. Have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally accredited institution, with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature.
AND
  1. Internship: Have successfully completed a professional psychology internship training program that was accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed and that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed.
OR,
  1. New VHA psychology internship programs that are in the process of applying for APA accreditation are acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement, provided that such programs were sanctioned by the VHA Central Office Program Director for Psychology and the VHA Office of Academic Affiliations at the time that the individual was an intern.
OR,
  1. VHA facilities that offered full-time, one-year pre-doctoral internships prior to PL 96- 151 (pre- 1979) are acceptable in fulfillment of the internship requirement.
OR,
  1. Applicants who completed an internship that was not accredited by APA or CPA at the time the program was completed may be considered eligible for hire only if they are currently board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology in a specialty area that is consistent with the assignment for which the applicant is to be employed. (NOTE: Once board certified, the employee is required to maintain board certification.)
OR,
  1. Applicants who have a doctoral degree awarded between 1951 and 1978 from a regionally- accredited institution with a dissertation primarily psychological in nature may fulfill this internship requirement by having the equivalent of a one-year supervised internship experience in a site specifically acceptable to the candidate's doctoral program. If the internship experience is not noted on the applicant's official transcript, the applicant must provide a statement from the doctoral program verifying that the equivalent of a one- year supervised internship experience was completed in a site acceptable to the doctoral program. NOTE: Psychologists who meet the requirements of this revision and who were employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs prior to the implementation of this standard are considered to have fully met the requirements of this qualification standard.
  1. Licensure: Holds a full, current, and unrestricted license to practice psychology at the doctoral level in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or the District of Columbia.
  2. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
  3. English Language Proficiency: Psychologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j.
Grade Requirements:
Creditable Experience:
  • Quality of Experience: Experience is only creditable if it is post-doctoral experience as a professional psychologist directly related to the duties to be performed. Qualifying experience must also be at a level comparable to or exceeding professional psychology experience at the next lower level.
  • Part-time Experience: Part-time experience is creditable according to its relationship to a full- time workweek. For example, a psychologist employed 20 hours per week, or on a half time basis, would receive one full-time workweek of credit for each two weeks of service.
  • Post-Doctoral Degree Fellowships: Postdoctoral fellowships or residencies are training programs in an advanced area of clinical practice. Training as a fellow or resident is creditable experience on a year-for-year basis.
GS-11 (Entry Level):Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.
GS-12 (Developmental Level):Experience: At least one year of experience as a professional psychologist equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11). Psychologists who are not licensed must practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist but with less intense supervision than at the GS-11 grade level. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of and ability to apply a wide range of professional psychological treatments or assessment methods to a variety of patient populations.
  • Ability to design and implement effective treatment strategies.
  • Ability to incorporate new clinical procedures.
  • Ability to conduct research activities, such as designing and implementing clinical research projects (staff psychologists with specified research job duties).
  • Ability to perform basic research tasks of scholarship and research execution within the context of an established research team, including research participant relations, research documentation, data acquisition, maintenance, and collaboration.
GS-13 (Full Performance Level):Experience: At least 2 years of experience as a professional psychologist, with at least one year equivalent to the GS-12 level. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of, and ability to apply, professional psychological treatments to the full range of patient populations.
  • Ability to provide professional advice and consultation in areas related to professional psychology and behavioral health.
  • Knowledge of clinical research literature.
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
Preferred Experience: At least 3 years clinical experience providing individual and group therapy for PTSD. Certification/training in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT),Prolonged Exposure (PE), and/or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-13.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019Education:IMPORTANT: 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/.Employment Type: OTHER

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