Government work

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Does anyone on here work for the government or know what are the needed qualifications to gain a position working for the government as a psychologist?

 

[erg923]

"Government" is pretty broad term, you're gonna have to narrow your setting within the federal government. Psychologist are employed with the military, the federal prison system, VA hospitals.....all of which are "government" institutions.

 

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Thanks for your reply, erg923. I'm referring to any type of government work though, not specifically to work for a certain institution. I'm interested in any information any one has regarding government work, broadly.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Thanks for your reply, erg923. I'm referring to any type of government work though, not specifically to work for a certain institution. I'm interested in any information any one has regarding government work, broadly.

You'll be best served by gaining solid clinical skills, particularly in regard to assessment and empirically validated treatments. You'll also want to make sure you come from an APA-acred. program and APA-acred. internship site. A formal post-doc/fellowship is less important, as is boarding...but both can help. I'd recommend these things for *any* job, though gov't positions tend to be more rigid about acred. status. I'm not sure if the BOP requires an APA-internship (I think APPIC equiv. is fine), though anyone from a non-APA acred. site will be at a disadvantage when applying to positions.

 

[erg923]

Well I work for the VA (clinical research). Federal employees get good medical plans and benefits and fed holidays...I think it should be obvious that with any government position there is alot of of red tape BS, and extensive background checks during the very lengthy hiring/on boarding process.

t4c has god points, get solid training. APA approved program and predoc internship is a must for employment in government agencies, I know it is for VAs and fed prisons. Relatively clean record and certainly no felonies.

 

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Thanks for your replies, therapist 4change and erg923! Therapist4change, your reply was very helpful - thank you. Erg923 - what kind of program did you graduate from or are you attending?

 

[erg923]

I know that t4c is a post-doc and came from a clinical Psy.D. program. I am in final year of my clinical Ph.D.

 

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Great, thank you both!