As a Supervisor in Clinical Psychology within the Department of National Defence, you will lead a team of clinical psychology professionals who provide essential mental health and psychological services to Canadian Armed Forces members and their families. You will be responsible for managing day-to-day operations of your clinical unit, supervising staff performance, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality psychological care that meets both clinical standards and departmental objectives. Your role bridges clinical expertise with people management, requiring you to maintain current knowledge of psychological practice while developing your leadership capabilities. You will work in a dynamic health care environment where your decisions directly impact the mental health and operational readiness of the military community. This position offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing of service members while building a strong, professional team.
Key Responsibilities
Coordinate and oversee daily clinical psychology operations, Assign work, monitor progress, and provide guidance to team members, Review work products for quality and compliance with standards, Contribute to operational planning and process improvement
Required Skills
Clinical skills, Patient/client assessment, Empathy and communication, Record-keeping, Interdisciplinary collaboration, Team supervision, Work coordination, Quality control, Staff development
Typical Education
Post-secondary diploma or degree; experience in the relevant technical or functional area
Training
To qualify for this supervisor role, you must hold a master's degree in clinical psychology from an accredited Canadian university or equivalent, along with a doctoral degree in psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.). Current registration or licensure as a psychologist with a provincial regulatory body is required, and you must maintain this credential throughout your employment. The Canadian Armed Forces values continued professional development, and you will have access to training programs in clinical supervision, military culture and operations, leadership development, and specialized areas such as trauma-informed care or operational stress injury management. Many supervisors pursue additional certifications in group therapy, crisis intervention, or other specialized clinical areas relevant to military health services. You may also be expected to complete mandatory training in DND policies, security protocols, and federal government procedures.
Entry Plans
Entry into a Supervisor - Clinical Psychology position typically occurs through a Government of Canada staffing competition open to current or former public service employees, or through lateral movement from a Clinical Psychologist position within DND or other federal departments. Many supervisors are promoted internally after demonstrating clinical excellence and leadership potential as Clinical Psychologists. The Public Service Commission manages these competitions, which are advertised on the Government of Canada Job Bank. If you are not yet in the federal public service, you may first need to secure a position as a Clinical Psychologist and gain experience before becoming eligible for supervisor-level competitions. Some opportunities may arise through external recruitment when no suitable internal candidates are available. Student or early-career pathways, such as the Federal Student Work Experience Program or Post-Secondary Recruitment Initiative, can help you enter DND as a clinical psychologist and build toward supervisory roles.
Part-Time Options
Supervisor positions in Clinical Psychology are typically offered on a full-time basis due to the leadership and continuity responsibilities required. However, the Department of National Defence recognizes the importance of work-life balance and may accommodate flexible work arrangements where operationally feasible, such as flexible scheduling or compressed work weeks. Remote work options may be available for administrative and clinical documentation tasks, though regular on-site presence is expected for team supervision, client care, and departmental meetings. Arrangements for part-time or job-sharing supervisor roles are rare but may be considered on a case-by-case basis through discussion with your manager and Human Resources. Part-time clinical work within DND is sometimes available at the Clinical Psychologist level, which could be a pathway to eventual supervisory positions. Specific flexibility options depend on the needs of your unit, client population, and operational requirements.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
