Counseling Psychologists in General Hospital Settings

Abstract

Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals can provide rich and varied work experiences for psychologists. Long an employer and standard bearer for counseling psychologists, VA settings have markedly eased our way into the behavioral medicine, neuropsychology, and health psychology arenas. Additionally, they have maintained our traditional role of vocational assessment, with added specialization for different populations. Affiliation with medical settings can offer opportunities for academic and research involvement. However, VA psychology positions are generally geared heavily toward providing clinical coverage, and the scientist-practitioner model may be difficult to establish and/or maintain. Advancement beyond a staff psychologist designation is unusual, and salaries have not kept pace with psychologist salaries in the private hospital sector.