We are seeking an experienced Pain Management Psychologist to provide comprehensive behavioral health and pain psychology services to Veterans through a long-term Veterans Affairs (VA) contract with the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System.
This is a full-time doctoral-level psychologist position embedded within the VA Pain Management Service. The psychologist will evaluate and treat Veterans experiencing chronic pain and associated behavioral health conditions using evidence-based psychological interventions, interdisciplinary collaboration, patient education, and individualized treatment planning.
Position Details
- Schedule: Full-Time, Monday – Friday
- Hours: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
- Pay: $75-80/hr
- Primary Setting: Onsite VA Pain Management Service
- Direct Patient Care: Approximately 90%
- Administrative Responsibilities: Approximately 10%
- Telehealth: May be provided through VA-approved platforms as directed
- Call: No call requirement identified in the solicitation
- Base Contract Period: September 30, 2026 – September 29, 2027
- Potential Contract Term: Four option periods may extend services through September 29, 2031
Locations
Margaret Cochran Corbin VA Campus
423 East 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010
Brooklyn VA Medical Center
800 Poly Place
Brooklyn, NY 11209-7104
Occasional travel between the Manhattan and Brooklyn VA facilities is expected based on patient volume and service needs. Pain Psychology services may also be delivered through VA-approved telehealth platforms when directed.
Clinical Responsibilities
- Conduct comprehensive psychological assessments and evaluations for Veterans with chronic pain.
- Evaluate psychological, emotional, cognitive, physical, functional, and psychosocial factors contributing to chronic pain and disability.
- Assess and treat patients with chronic pain, depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and related emotional or cognitive concerns.
- Conduct formal psychological evaluations, general therapy screenings, Activities of Daily Living evaluations, and functional assessments relevant to pain management.
- Develop individualized, evidence-based psychological treatment plans with measurable short- and long-term functional goals.
- Review medical records prior to appointments and identify relevant history, precautions, and contraindications.
- Obtain subjective patient histories and incorporate assessment findings into treatment planning.
- Monitor patient progress and therapeutic outcomes at each visit and revise treatment plans when appropriate.
- Support improved functioning in self-care, daily activities, employment, leisure, and community participation.
- Begin discharge planning during the initial evaluation and provide appropriate home programs and aftercare education.
- Coordinate treatment with the interdisciplinary VA Pain Management team.
- Provide consultation to primary care providers and other members of the interdisciplinary pain team.
- Educate and counsel Veterans, families, and caregivers regarding chronic pain and strategies for managing its psychological and functional effects.
Evidence-Based Pain Psychology Interventions
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-CP)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Motivational interviewing
- Mindfulness-based interventions and psychoeducation
- Biofeedback and relaxation training
- Behavioral activation and functional restoration support
- Individual psychotherapy
- Group psychotherapy, including pain coping skills and psychoeducation groups
- Family and caregiver counseling
- Psychological assessment and testing
- VA-approved telehealth interventions
Interdisciplinary Responsibilities
- Collaborate with psychologists, therapists, physicians, and other medical professionals.
- Participate in weekly Pain Team Conferences.
- Participate in monthly Pain Management/Mental Health meetings.
- Participate in rounds, discharge-planning meetings, specialty clinics, psychology in-services, and other assigned clinical meetings.
- Work with other disciplines to support rational pharmacy practices in pain management.
- Coordinate patient scheduling with the Pain Management treatment team.
- Maintain scheduling flexibility for team consultations, unscheduled patients, and unforeseen clinical needs.
- Use motivational strategies to encourage Veterans to actively participate in their treatment programs.
Documentation & Administrative Responsibilities
- Document initial, progress, and final evaluations in the VA electronic medical record.
- Document measurable goals, treatment provided, goals achieved, functional outcomes, and patient education.
- Use CPRS/VistA and other applicable VA computerized systems.
- Complete documentation within required VA timeframes; the PWS establishes an expectation of documentation within 24 hours of the patient visit at least 90% of the time.
- Complete applicable Quality Management/Performance Improvement documentation regarding procedures, complications, and examination outcomes.
- Participate in Quality Improvement meetings as needed.
- Maintain current licensing, registration, certification, and mandatory VA training requirements.
- Follow VA policies concerning privacy, HIPAA, information security, patient safety, infection control, and protected mental health/substance-use records.
Required Qualifications
- Doctoral degree (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) in Clinical or Counseling Psychology from an APA- or CPA-accredited graduate program.
- Completion of an APA- or CPA-accredited pre-doctoral internship.
- Minimum of 2 years of professional psychologist experience.
- At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 level, including behavioral health interventions for chronic pain.
- Experience in health psychology, behavioral medicine, and/or chronic pain management.
- Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice psychology from a U.S. State, Territory, Commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.
- Current American Heart Association BLS certification.
- Ability to speak, understand, read, and write English fluently.
- Ability to successfully complete required VA credentialing and privileging before providing clinical services.
- Ability to meet VA mandatory training, background/security, and facility access requirements.
- Possess or obtain an appropriate National Provider Identifier (NPI).
- Maintain all required licensure, certification, competencies, and professional credentials throughout the assignment.
Important licensure requirement: The PWS states that individuals who have ever had a professional license restricted, suspended, revoked, voluntarily revoked, voluntarily suspended pending action, or denied upon application will not be considered for the contract.
Preferred/Specialized Experience
- Chronic pain psychology
- Health psychology or behavioral medicine
- CBT for Chronic Pain and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Substance-use comorbidities in chronic pain populations
- Biofeedback and mindfulness-based interventions
- Interdisciplinary pain management
- Psychological testing and assessment
- Group pain-management interventions
- Telehealth pain-management services
Why Consider This Opportunity?
This is an excellent opportunity for a doctoral-level Psychologist specializing in chronic pain, health psychology, or behavioral medicine to work within an interdisciplinary VA Pain Management program serving our nation’s Veterans. The position offers a predictable Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm schedule, approximately 90% direct patient care, no identified call requirement, and the opportunity to provide evidence-based chronic pain treatment alongside an interdisciplinary team.
We look forward to working with you as you work to serve America’s Heroes.