Pain Psychologist (Doctoral-Level)

Job Description

Job Description

Pain Psychologist (Doctoral-Level)

VA New York Harbor Healthcare System — Manhattan (423 E. 23rd St, New York, NY 10010) and Brooklyn (800 Poly Place, Brooklyn, NY 11209) | Full Time | Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM (2,080 hours/year)

 

Position Overview

The Mental Health Service, Pain Management Section of the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System requires a full-time, doctoral-level Pain Psychologist to deliver on-site pain psychology services to Veterans with chronic pain under a five-year VA contract (base year plus four option years beginning September 30, 2026).

You will work within an interdisciplinary Pain Management Service aligned with the VA Stepped Care Model for Pain Management, providing evidence-based assessment and treatment for Veterans whose chronic pain is complicated by depression, anxiety, substance use, and functional limitations. Approximately 90% of time is direct patient care; 10% is documentation, team conferences, and quality improvement. Occasional travel between the Manhattan and Brooklyn campuses is expected; some services may be delivered by VA-approved telehealth as directed by the Contracting Officer's Representative.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct psychological assessments and evaluations for Veterans with chronic pain, including formal psychological evaluation, general therapy screenings, activities-of-daily-living evaluation, and functional capacity assessment relevant to pain management.
• Develop and implement individualized, time-limited, functionally based treatment plans; re-evaluate and update plans within 24 hours of each visit per Pain Management and Mental Health Service policy.
• Deliver evidence-based interventions at each visit: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), motivational interviewing, biofeedback and relaxation training, mindfulness-based interventions, and psychoeducation.
• Provide individual psychotherapy, pain coping-skills and psychoeducation groups, family/caregiver counseling, behavioral activation and functional restoration support, and consultation to primary care and the interdisciplinary pain team.
• Document initial, progress, and final evaluations with measurable goals and functional outcomes in CPRS/VistA within 24 hours, 90% of the time; complete QM/PI documentation for all procedures and outcomes.
• Participate in the weekly Pain Team Conference, the monthly Pain Management/Mental Health meeting, rounds, discharge planning, and quality improvement meetings as directed.
• Support rational pharmacy practice in pain management, safeguard records protected under 38 U.S.C. 7332, report patient-safety incidents within 24 hours, and complete all VA mandatory training on schedule.

  Qualifications & Experience

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in Clinical or Counseling Psychology from an APA- or CPA-accredited program, and completion of an APA- or CPA-accredited pre-doctoral internship.
• Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice psychology in any U.S. state, territory, or the District of Columbia; no history of license restriction, suspension, revocation, or denial.
• At least two years of experience as a professional psychologist, including at least one year at the GS-12 level or equivalent, with documented experience delivering behavioral health interventions for chronic pain.
• Two or more years in health psychology, behavioral medicine, or chronic pain management preferred (telehealth pain management and substance-use comorbidity experience a plus).
• Current AHA BLS certification (or ability to obtain before start); eligibility for VA credentialing and privileging; NPI number.
• Proficiency in CPRS/VistA or comparable electronic health records; fluent spoken and written English; prior VA Medical Center experience valued.

  Compensation

  $99–$111/hour, depending on experience and certifications. This is a local, on-site position; no per diem or travel allowance applies.

  Application Process

  Submit the following as a single candidate packet:

• Current CV detailing education, training, and experience in pain management
• Copies of current, full, and unrestricted license(s) and current AHA BLS certification
• Three (3) professional references, including your last employer and supervisor with name and telephone number
• Signed Letter of Intent for the Doctoral-Level Pain Psychologist position — required by the VA for submission with the quote
• NPI number, professional liability insurance expiration date, and any prior VA Medical Center credentialing/privileging status
• Statement regarding any paid malpractice claims (or confirmation of none)

Selected candidates must complete VA credentialing and privileging, a background check, and health screening (TB test, MMR/varicella immunity, Tdap, annual influenza, Hepatitis B) before the first duty shift. Anticipated start: September 30, 2026, contingent on contract award.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Accommodations are available upon request at any stage of the hiring process.