Description

We are looking for an early career psychologist with training and interest in working in an academic medical center and focusing on patients who have survived traumatic injury. The trauma psychologist will be a member of our hospital-based trauma advocacy program and will work closely with trauma advocates and peer specialists, physicians, nurses, social workers, and others to help build a robust program to support patients in the hospital and as they transition back into the community. There are only a handful of centers in the country that have this type of program. There is a senior psychologist who will help train and mentor the candidate and a well-established TVAP program in place.

The Trauma Victim Advocacy Program (TVAP) is a hospital-based violence intervention program (HVIP) embedded within a busy urban Level I trauma center, supporting patients and families impacted by violent injury from the earliest moments of crisis through recovery. We are a close-knit, mission-driven team that knows how heavy this work can be and how essential it is to take care of one another while doing it. You’ll find colleagues who are thoughtful, big-hearted, and deeply invested in their patients and each other. We hold space for grief, celebrate resilience, use humor as a lifeline, and show up with authenticity every day. This is a place for trauma-informed clinicians who want their work to matter and who value teamwork, humility, and human connection.

Position Summary

The Trauma Psychologist provides specialized psychological consultation and intervention for trauma patients in an acute medical hospital setting. This role focuses on the assessment, stabilization, and short-term treatment of patients experiencing psychological distress related to acute injury, medical trauma, critical illness, or violence. The psychologist works collaboratively with multidisciplinary medical teams to support patient recovery, enhance coping, and reduce the impact of traumatic stress on medical outcomes. This position is currently funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and will work in collaboration with the hospital-based Trauma Victim Advocacy Program. A key goal of the position is to provide short-term therapy to victims of violence and to bridge patients to community mental health services.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide psychological consultation for adult (and/or pediatric) trauma patients admitted to emergency, intensive care, surgical, and medical units.
• Conduct rapid psychological assessments addressing acute stress reactions, trauma exposure, delirium-related distress, risk of self-harm, and coping capacity.
• Deliver brief, evidence-based interventions (e.g., trauma-informed care, crisis intervention, grounding techniques, psychoeducation) appropriate for the acute hospital setting.
• Support patients and families in coping with sudden injury, critical illness, grief, loss, and adjustment to medical trauma.
• Collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, social workers, case managers, and rehabilitation staff to integrate psychological care into treatment planning.
• Provide guidance to medical staff on trauma-informed communication and behavioral management strategies.
• Participate in interdisciplinary rounds, care conferences, and discharge planning as indicated.
• Identify patients requiring higher levels of psychiatric or psychological care and facilitate appropriate referrals.
• Document clinical encounters in the electronic medical record in accordance with hospital, regulatory, and ethical standards.
• Maintain compliance with hospital policies, accreditation standards, and state licensing requirements.

Qualifications

Required

• Doctoral degree (PhD or PsyD) in Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, or a related field from an APA-accredited program.
• Current, unrestricted licensure as a Psychologist in Pennsylvania.
• Formal training and demonstrated experience in trauma-focused assessment and intervention.
• Experience working in medical, hospital, or integrated care settings.
• Strong knowledge of acute stress disorder, PTSD, grief, and psychological responses to medical trauma.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills within fast-paced, multidisciplinary environments.

Preferred

• Experience with diverse patient populations and culturally responsive care. Our community is predominantly Black and Latino
• Postdoctoral fellowship or specialized training in health psychology, trauma psychology, or consultation-liaison psychology.
• Familiarity with brief, evidence-based trauma interventions suitable for inpatient care. 

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to perform rapid assessments and interventions in high-acuity settings.
• Strong clinical judgment and crisis management skills.
• Proficiency in electronic medical record documentation.
• Adaptability, resilience, and comfort working with medically complex and critically ill patients.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, patient-centered care.

Work Environment

• Acute medical hospital, including emergency department, intensive care units, surgical floors, and inpatient units.
• Fast-paced, high-acuity clinical environment.
• May involve exposure to medical trauma, critical illness, and emotionally challenging situations.

Schedule

Full-time; Monday through Friday, all on-site

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, and continuing education support.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The hospital is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.