Psychologist (PTSD/EBP) Job Opening 2026: The VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System has announced a recruitment opportunity for the position of Psychologist within the Evidence Based Psychotherapy (EBP) for PTSD Clinical Team. This position offers an excellent opportunity for qualified psychology professionals who want to work with veterans while receiving competitive federal benefits, career growth opportunities, and student loan repayment assistance through the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP).
Position Name
Psychologist – Evidence Based Psychotherapy (EBP) for PTSD Clinical Team
Hiring Organization
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Job Location
Harlingen
Application Deadline
July 22, 2026
Job Type
This is a permanent federal government position within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Who Can Apply
Applications are open to:
- U.S. Citizens
- Current Federal Employees
- Department of Veterans Affairs Employees
- Recent Graduates
- Health Professions Trainees (HPT)
Job Responsibilities
Selected candidates will provide psychological services to veterans diagnosed with PTSD and related mental health conditions. Major responsibilities include:
- Conducting psychological assessments and evaluations
- Diagnosing mental health disorders using DSM-5 standards
- Providing evidence-based psychotherapy treatments
- Delivering Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- Providing Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
- Offering EMDR therapy services
- Conducting individual and group psychotherapy sessions
- Performing psychological testing and reporting
- Collaborating with medical staff regarding patient care
- Supervising psychology trainees and interns when required
Work Schedule
Monday through Friday
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Salary and Benefits
The position includes a competitive federal salary along with comprehensive employee benefits such as:
- Regular salary increases
- Paid annual leave
- Paid sick leave
- 11 federal holidays each year
- Federal retirement pension
- 401(k) retirement savings plan
- Health insurance
- Dental and vision insurance
- Paid parental leave
- Telework opportunities
- Child care subsidy eligibility
Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)
One of the major highlights of this position is eligibility for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP). Qualified employees may receive student loan repayment assistance under this program.
Key EDRP details include:
- Up to $200,000 in loan repayment assistance
- Eligibility periods ranging from one to five years
- Application must be submitted within four months of appointment
- Final approval is determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services Office
Required Educational Qualifications
Applicants must meet the following educational requirements:
- Doctoral degree in Psychology
- Degree from an APA, CPA, or PCSAS accredited institution
- Completion of an approved psychology internship program
- Full and unrestricted psychology license
Experience Requirements
GS-11 Level
- No additional experience required beyond basic qualifications
GS-12 Level
- At least one year of professional psychology experience equivalent to the GS-11 level
GS-13 Level
- Minimum of two years of professional psychology experience
- At least one year equivalent to the GS-12 level
Preferred Qualifications
Preferred candidates may have experience in:
- PTSD treatment
- Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
- Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Personality assessments
- Working within the VA healthcare system
Required Documents
Applicants may need to submit the following documents:
- Resume or CV
- Educational transcripts
- Professional license
- SF-50 form for federal employees
- DD-214 for veterans
- Professional certifications
- Cover letter
Application Process
Applications must be submitted online through the federal USAJOBS application system before the closing date.
Important Employment Conditions
Applicants should be aware of the following conditions:
- U.S. citizenship is required
- Background investigation is mandatory
- Drug screening may be required
- English language proficiency is necessary
- Participation in the influenza vaccination program is required
Why This Opportunity Stands Out
This federal position offers strong long-term career benefits for psychology professionals who want to specialize in trauma-focused mental health care for veterans. In addition to excellent compensation and federal benefits, the opportunity to receive substantial student loan repayment assistance through EDRP makes this role especially attractive.
Final Thoughts
The VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System Psychologist position is an outstanding opportunity for qualified mental health professionals seeking a meaningful federal career. Candidates with experience in PTSD treatment, trauma-focused therapies, and veteran mental health services may find this position especially rewarding both professionally and financially.