Clinical Training & Post-Doctoral Fellowships

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Licensed Psychologist/Social Worker Desiring Re-Specialization in Forensic Psychology

POSITION TITLE: Licensed Psychologist/Social Worker, Institute on Violence Abuse & Trauma
REPORTS TO: Director of Clinical Training & Chief Executive Officer
DEPARTMENT: Professional Clinical & Forensic Services at IVAT/FVSAI
HOURS: 40 hrs/wk, benefits & PSLF eligible, forensic respecialization training/consultation
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full time, Exempt or Part time
SALARY: Range based on experience; San Diego based and requires on site

SETTING: The Family Violence and Sexual Assault Institute (FVSAI) dba The Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT) is a 501(c)(3) organization and a leading international resource, direct services, research, publications, and training center, founded in 1984 as FVSAI and headquartered in San Diego, California with satellite offices in Honolulu, Hawai'i, and Maryland. IVAT is considered a one-stop shop to address and end violence and abuse. We host 2 international summits annually, edit 3 academic journals, conduct research, provide a wide array of trainings, and offer vital professional forensic and clinical services to San Diego County and beyond. The current position will work primarily within the Professional Clinical and Forensic Services department at IVAT.

POSITION: The licensed psychologist/social worker will receive training, oversight, consultation, and mentorship for professional growth and leadership. As a training and certification site, IVAT can provide re-specialization focus for increasing competency in the forensic arena. These include criminal and civil cases, particularly those in family court, in the roles of evaluator, consultant, and expert witness. The psychologist will also provide oversight and supervision of trainees (master’s and doctorate students for practicum, predoctoral internship, and postdoctoral fellows) assigned to work on the cases with the licensed psychologist. This role will work in collaboration with the Director of Clinical Training to ensure that all trainees are receiving appropriate training, supervision, and oversight of the forensic work being conducted at IVAT. Supervision and training will include both individual and group format, virtual and in-person. Psychologists/social workers on staff must ensure that all legal and ethical guidelines are being followed by overseeing the work conducted and reviewing relevant clinical and forensic reports and documentation. This role may also include providing consultation and trainings to the community on issues of violence, abuse, and trauma, victims, offenders, and children exposed to violence. There is also the opportunity to conduct research and write articles or grants related to the field of forensic psychology, trauma, clinical psychology and related topics, and to the mission and vision of IVAT.

Forensic re-specialization training topics can be individualized to the psychologist’s interests, prior experience, and professional goals. Examples of educational and didactic training to be received include: Child custody, Parenting evaluation, Forensic research, Statistics, Test construction, Trauma in the forensic context, Competency, Emotional damages, Risk and Psychological assessment, Cyberpsychology, and Resilience training. In addition to active cases and didactic training, the re-specialization track will include read-and-response for developing expertise in given areas of interests, as well as book reviews. Publication and research opportunities can be incorporated into the role.

IVAT will be primarily responsible for: provision of case referrals; maintaining and providing appropriate testing materials, for the provision of professional work; support of trainees in the professional work. They will receive professional and general liability insurance and coverage for the work being conducted for IVAT.

The psychologist/social worker will be dedicated to providing high quality services. The person will exhibit the highest professional standards and ethical principles and will be committed to be committed to the tenets of IVAT’s Mission and Vision. IVAT is a qualified site for Public Service Loan Fogiveness (PSLF).

SUMMARY OF TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is not an exhaustive task list but a list that provides the candidate with an idea of job expectations.

1. Maintain a forensic caseload. This includes criminal, civil, and family law work. It may also include a range of comprehensive psychological evaluations, more specialized forensic evaluations, and forensic consultations on cases. It will also include consultation with attorneys, and the provision of expert witness testimony covering a broad range of issues. The psychologist will receive training, oversight, consultation, and mentorship by other forensic psychologists to grow his/her competency in a wide range of forensic topics and areas of practice.

2. Provide supervision and oversight to the graduate trainees in collaboration with the other psychologists on the PCFS team.

3. Receive forensically focused training for Re-specialization in the field.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS: A doctorate degree in forensic or clinical psychology, social work, counseling, or marriage & family therapy.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES: Be licensed as a Psychologist or Social Worker in California.

EXPERIENCE:

• Possess 1-3 years of experience post licensure in clinical or counseling psychology related to violence, abuse, and trauma and psychological interventions

• Excellent communication, networking, writing, and supervisory skills, as well as reasoning, problem-solving, multitasking, and team-building.

• Experience and competence in psychological assessments, including administration, scoring, and interpreting of a wide range of assessment tools.

• Training and adherence to relevant ethical and legal guidelines and standards

• Clinical supervisory experience.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Committed to the mission and vision of IVAT as a social change and public health organization.

• Valid Driver’s license at time of hire.

• Experiences in writing book chapters, publishing journal articles, and editing articles, books, and chapters helpful.

Also: sensitivity to cultural diversity and ability and understanding that this is a high priority for IVAT; to communicate and interact effectively with people of all ages and diverse background; ability to work effectively as a team player; highly motivated, focused and results oriented. Ability to exercise discretion and tact in all interpersonal contacts, and to maintain confidentiality at all times. Ability to manage multiple tasks according to required deadlines and maintain composure under high stress conditions. Ability to be optimistic, positive and supportive in all interactions with others. High level of accuracy and attention to detail.

BACKGROUND CHECK: Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

APPLICATIONS:

1. IVAT is an equal opportunity employer. Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

2. Applicants from diverse backgrounds with interest in IVAT’s mission of social justice and public health, and upholding diversity, equity, and inclusion of all are encouraged to apply. Individuals with Spanish language proficiency are also encouraged to apply.

3. Completed applications or questions can be sent now to Jessica Silsby, Psy.D., Director of Clinical Training at Jessicas@ivatcenters.org. Application materials include:

1. Cover letter
2. CV
3. Deidentified report, evaluation, or writing sample
4. Graduate school transcripts (informal of formal)
5. Documentation of licensure
6. Date when available to start if accepted

Clinical and Forensic Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship

POSITION: The Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma (IVAT) in San Diego, CA has openings for full-time Post-doctoral Fellows in Clinical and Forensic Psychology with an emphasis in Forensics. The fellowship positions are currently open until filled. PSLF eligible.

DESCRIPTION: The Family Violence and Sexual Assault Institute (FVSAI) dba Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT) invites applications for a Post-Doctoral Fellowship in the Forensic and Clinical Psychology field. The goal of the program is to develop the next generation of leaders and innovators in the field of trauma focused forensic and clinical psychology. The fellowship includes advanced forensic and clinical training, education, and applied research, with opportunities for specialization in treating trauma, research participation, and publishing. The fellows will be responsible for taking the lead on various forensic cases, especially involving civil, criminal, family and juvenile matters, usually with family violence or trauma issues. They will also manage forensic consulting projects, including reviewing and summarizing court records and conducting literature research. The fellows are responsible for contacting and working with attorneys to set up interviews and evaluations, and will help conduct forensic evaluations to address a variety of referral questions. The fellows will also assist in the informal supervision and leadership of practicum and intern trainees. The fellows will act as a Case Manager, including overseeing client and associate invoices, supervisors’ schedules, and client appointments. The fellows will also provide consultation within the community regarding issues of family violence victims and offenders, psychological trauma, sexual assault, and children exposed to violence. Additionally, the fellows will carry a small clinical caseload providing therapy to selected clients who are most often victims of trauma and will provide trauma-related training to organizations and community partners. Fellows have the flexibility to curate their caseloads based on their clinical interests and specialty, which may include individual, couple, child, and family modalities with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. Fellows receive 3 hours of weekly group supervision and at least 1 hour of weekly individual supervision by a licensed psychologist. Training activities also include weekly didactics in clinical and forensic psychology as well as consultation and other supervision with staff and associates on an as needed basis. Receiving excellent, advanced, supervised clinical training is at the heart of the IVAT postdoctoral fellowship. There are additional opportunities for grant writing, research, and publishing. Fellows may also have the chance to collaborate with the IVAT Professional Training and Summits Department to help plan and manage trainings designed for certification programs, as well as engage in opportunities to develop and conduct program evaluations for local or national agencies.

SETTING: The Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that condemns violence and oppression in all its forms. We stand with all who work for equality and peace. IVAT is a leading international resource, research, direct services, publications, and training center, founded in 1984 as FVSAI and now headquartered in San Diego, California with satellite offices in Hawai`i and Maryland. IVAT is a one-stop shop to address and end violence and abuse, and the trauma that is produced. We host 2 international summits annually, edit 3 academic peer reviewed international journals, maintain several research databases, provide program evaluation, consultation, and a wide array of trainings addressing violence, abuse and trauma-- many of which can be used toward specialty certificates and continuing education. We offer vital professional clinical and forensic services to San Diego County and beyond. We believe collaboration across systems is key to putting an end to violence and abuse.

BENEFITS: The current annual stipend is $40,000, and includes benefits. Health insurance is available for family or single at a reasonable rate. Vacation, sick leave, and professional leave are standard. The fellows will have access to IVAT training, continuing education, and summit resources at no cost. Relevant supervised professional experience will be applicable toward hours for licensure in California. Support and guidance for EPPP and CPLEE support will be integrated into fellowship supervision programming. IVAT is a qualified site for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates should hold a doctorate degree in forensic psychology, clinical psychology, or a related discipline. Also, candidates should possess 2-3 years of experience in these fields. Experience, including training in forensic psychology, psychological testing, and clinical psychology are required, and it is very helpful to also have experience with child custody, psychological, and other forensic evaluations. Strong candidates will show evidence of excellence in communication, team collaboration, assessment, writing skills, reasoning, problem-solving, and leadership. Research and clinical experience in violence, abuse, and trauma fields are also preferred. Although this fellowship will be one year, the possibilities of renewal or continued work at the Institute are possible and desired. Due to the nature of the work, candidates cannot have a criminal background as they will undergo a background check before employment.

APPLICATIONS:

1. IVAT is an equal opportunity employer. Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

2. Applicants from diverse backgrounds with interest in IVAT’s mission of social justice and public health, and upholding diversity, equity, and inclusion of all are encouraged to apply. Individuals with Spanish language proficiency are also encouraged to apply.

3. Completed applications can be sent now to Jessica Silsby, PsyD, Director of Clinical Training, at Jessicas@ivatcenters.org. Application materials include:

   1. Cover letter and CV

   2. Graduate transcript (informal or formal)

   3. Sample evaluation report or writing sample deidentified

   4. Two letters of recommendation

   5. Date when available to start if accepted

Anti-Discrimination Policy​

IVAT prohibits discrimination in employment and in its educational programs and activities, including admission or access thereto, on the basis of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability, medical condition, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identify or associational preference.

IVAT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IVAT will conduct its programs, service and activities consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and orders.

This policy is governed by Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the regulations implementing these statutes, and applicable federal and California law.