Clinical Psychologist | U.S. Navy Behavioral Health | Operational Medicine & Federal Benefits

Practice Beyond Traditional Clinical Settings

The U.S. Navy Medical Service Corps is seeking Clinical Psychologists to provide behavioral health support within a dynamic, mission-driven healthcare environment serving active-duty military personnel and specialized operational communities.

This opportunity offers the ability to practice meaningful, team-based behavioral health care while moving beyond the administrative pressures commonly associated with traditional private practice and insurance-based models.

Psychologists in this role collaborate alongside interdisciplinary medical professionals supporting operational readiness, resilience, and mental performance across a wide range of clinical and operational settings. Opportunities may include work connected to aviation, maritime, expeditionary, and specialized military units.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Focus on patient care without insurance billing or private practice overhead
• Mission-driven work supporting active-duty service members
• Diverse clinical experiences beyond the traditional outpatient model
• Collaborative interdisciplinary healthcare teams
• Leadership and professional development opportunities
• Competitive compensation with annual federal pay increases
• Comprehensive medical, retirement, and pension benefits
• Generous paid leave and continuing education support
• Relocation assistance available
• Long-term career stability within a federal healthcare system

Position Responsibilities

• Provide psychological assessment, diagnosis, and treatment services
• Deliver evidence-based behavioral health interventions
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary medical and operational teams
• Support resilience, readiness, and mental performance initiatives
• Participate in clinical consultation, education, and leadership activities
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation in accordance with federal standards

Qualifications

• PhD or PsyD in Clinical or Counseling Psychology
• APA-accredited internship preferred
• Eligible for licensure in a U.S. state or territory
• U.S. citizenship required
• Ability to qualify for commissioning as a Navy Officer

Ideal Candidates May Be Seeking

• A purpose-driven behavioral health career
• Greater variety and professional autonomy
• Freedom from insurance-focused practice pressures
• Opportunities within operational or military medicine
• Leadership development and interdisciplinary collaboration

About the U.S. Navy Medical Service Corps

The U.S. Navy Medical Service Corps supports healthcare delivery and operational readiness worldwide through a diverse network of healthcare professionals serving military members and their families across clinical, hospital, and operational environments.

Why Navy Medicine?

Navy Clinical Psychologists practice at the intersection of clinical excellence and operational necessity. Your caseload includes presentations — combat PTSD, moral injury, operational stress, fitness-for-duty evaluations — rarely seen in civilian outpatient settings. You'll be embedded with units that depend on you, from SEAL Teams and Marine infantry to carrier air wing squadrons and the Naval Academy.

Professional setting and work environment
Serve at major naval medical centers in San Diego, CA; Portsmouth/Norfolk, VA; and Bethesda, MD, as well as smaller clinics and operational units globally — including Spain, Japan, Italy, and Guam. Reserve psychologists serve close to home during monthly drilling and may deploy worldwide for annual training.

Bethesda, MD
Portsmouth / Norfolk, VA
San Diego, CA
Jacksonville & Pensacola, FL
Annapolis, MD (Naval Academy)
Bremerton, WA
Rota, Spain & Naples, Italy
Yokosuka, Japan & Guam
+ Operational Units Worldwide

You’ll have the opportunity to care for active-duty service members, veterans, and their families in well-equipped, collaborative clinical settings across the country. Practice in modern hospitals and outpatient clinics in highly desirable locations nationwide, including California, Florida, Virginia, Maryland, Washington, and more. Whether you’re interested in San Diego, Honolulu, Pensacola, or another destination, we’ll work with you to align your location preferences with available opportunities.

This role offers a unique sense of purpose—supporting those who serve—while maintaining a structured, team-based environment that allows you to focus on patient care without many of the administrative burdens found in private practice. You’ll also have opportunities to participate in humanitarian and relief efforts, extending your impact beyond the clinic and into communities in need.