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42PX Career Guide

Air Force

42PX: Clinical Psychologist

Career transition guide for Air Force Clinical Psychologist (42PX)

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Civilian Career Pathways

Top civilian roles for 42PX veterans, with average salary and market demand data.

Clinical Psychologist

$95K
High matchHigh demand

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

$65K
Good matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

State licensure as LPCComplete any required supervised clinical hours

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

$110K
Good matchGrowing demand

Skills to develop:

Specialized knowledge in organizational behaviorConsulting skills

Substance Abuse or Behavioral Disorder Counselor

$50K
Moderate matchVery high demand

Skills to develop:

Certification as a substance abuse counselor (e.g., CAC)Knowledge of addiction treatment modalities

Healthcare Administrator

$85K
Moderate matchStable demand

Skills to develop:

Healthcare management principlesKnowledge of healthcare regulationsBusiness Administration coursework

Salary estimates from VWC career data

Hidden Strengths

Cognitive skills your 42PX training built — and where they transfer.

Pattern Recognition

As a clinical psychologist, you consistently identified patterns of behavior, thought, and emotional response in patients to diagnose underlying mental health conditions and tailor treatment plans.

Your ability to recognize subtle patterns in human behavior translates directly to identifying trends, anomalies, and insights from complex data sets.

Resource Optimization

You were responsible for managing mental health programs, allocating resources like personnel, budget, and facilities to maximize patient care and program effectiveness within constraints.

Your experience optimizing resources within a healthcare setting demonstrates a strong ability to strategically allocate and manage resources to achieve organizational goals.

System Modeling

You developed a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay of psychological, social, and biological factors influencing mental health, allowing you to create comprehensive models of patient wellbeing.

Your ability to conceptualize and understand interconnected systems allows you to develop predictive models and inform strategic decision-making across various domains.

After-Action Analysis

You conducted thorough reviews of therapeutic interventions and program outcomes to identify areas for improvement and ensure the highest quality of care for patients.

Your experience analyzing outcomes and identifying areas for improvement translates to a strong ability to evaluate performance, identify weaknesses, and develop strategies for enhanced effectiveness.

Non-Obvious Career Matches

Data Scientist

SOC 15-2051

You've been expertly identifying patterns in human behavior. Now, as a Data Scientist, you can apply those same analytical skills to large datasets, extracting meaningful insights that drive business decisions.

Management Consultant

SOC 13-1111

You've been optimizing mental health programs. Now, you can apply that expertise to help organizations improve their efficiency, effectiveness, and overall performance by analyzing operations and recommending solutions.

Market Research Analyst

SOC 13-1161

You've been creating models of patient wellbeing. Now, you can transfer your knowledge of human behavior to better understand consumer preferences and trends. Your analytical skills will allow you to develop effective marketing strategies.

Training and Development Manager

SOC 11-3131

You've been developing training programs for medical professionals. Now, you can use your insight into adult learning and behavior change to design and implement effective training programs for employees across diverse industries.

Training & Education Equivalencies

Doctoral Internship in Clinical Psychology, Wilford Hall Ambulatory Surgical Center, Lackland AFB

2,080 training hours52 weeksNot applicable

Topics Covered

  • Advanced Psychopathology
  • Psychological Assessment (Adult & Child)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
  • Trauma-Informed Care
  • Military Culture and Mental Health
  • Ethics and Professional Conduct

Certification Pathways

Partial Coverage

Licensed Clinical Psychologist (State Level)70% covered

State-specific licensing requirements, jurisprudence exam, supervised clinical hours may be needed depending on the state's board requirements.

American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) Certification50% covered

ABPP requires a doctoral degree in psychology, licensure as a psychologist, and board certification in a specialty area. Specific requirements vary by specialty.

Recommended Next Certifications

Diplomate in Clinical Psychology (ABPP)Diplomate in Behavioral Psychology (ABPP)Certified Cognitive Therapist (Academy of Cognitive Therapy)Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)

Technical Systems Translation

Military systems you've used and their civilian equivalents for your resume.

Military SystemCivilian Equivalent
Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application (AHLTA)Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems like Epic or Cerner
Composite Health Care System (CHCS)Hospital information systems (HIS) for appointment scheduling and patient management
Defense Medical Human Resources System - internet (DMHRSi)Human Resources Management Systems (HRMS) for personnel management
TRICARE OnlinePatient portals for secure communication and access to medical records
Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) within the DoD/VA healthcare systemEvidence-based practice guidelines and protocols from organizations like the APA, NICE, etc.
PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5)Standardized psychological assessment tools (e.g., Beck Depression Inventory, GAD-7)

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