Postdoctoral Fellowships in Rehabilitation Psychology and Rehabilitation Neuropsychology

At Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare, our more than 80-year legacy of specialized medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care helps people achieve optimum health, gain independence, and return to the highest level of function possible after debilitating injury or illnesas. Casa Colina’s Department of Neuropsychology and Psychology is integrated into interdisciplinary treatment teams across our continuum of care.

The department is currently recruiting for two 2-year, full-time postdoctoral fellow positions. Fellows will provide services throughout our continuum of care, to include our post-acute rehabilitation program at the CARF-accredited Transitional Living Center, Acute Rehabilitation Wing, Medical-Surgical Wing, Outpatient Neuropsychology and Psychology Clinic, and other physician specialty clinics. There is also the potential for engagement in other areas of our continuum of care, depending on the fellows’ interests and clinical need. Approximately 80% of the fellows’ time will be spent engaged in the provision of clinical services, with the remaining 20% devoted to educational activities.

Position 1: Rehabilitation Psychology

The goals for postdoctoral training are for the development of competencies in clinical practice with the specialized populations and diagnoses that comprise a rehabilitation hospital. Presenting conditions most often include traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, poly-trauma, and an array of other neurological conditions and catastrophic injury/illness, as well as issues related to chronic disease management and behavior change to improve health.

Common conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention include health co-morbidities, psychiatric dysfunction, and chronic pain. Direct clinical activities will include neuropsychological and psychological assessment and the provision of individual and group psychotherapy and education within the rehabilitation milieu. Clinical activities will also include cognitive rehabilitation activities, community reintegration, and behavioral management. The fellow will be an active participant in the interdisciplinary team rounds and regular consultation with multidisciplinary staff. Participation in research is also available and expected.

Position 2: Rehabilitation Neuropsychology

The goals for postdoctoral training are for advanced training and the development of competency in adult neuropsychological assessment within the medical hospital and rehabilitation environment. Direct clinical activities will include clinical interviewing, test selection, conducting brief to comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations, case conceptualization, report-writing, consultation with physicians and the interdisciplinary team, provision of feedback and education to patients and families, and brief psychotherapeutic interventions.

Presenting conditions vary widely, with a heavy focus on neurological conditions, including traumatic brain injury, stroke, dementia, brain tumor, and delirium. The postdoctoral fellowship will also include opportunities for the fellow to develop and hone skills in the areas of medical-legal evaluations and capacity evaluations. The fellow will be an active participant in interdisciplinary treatment team rounds and in the interdisciplinary Senior Evaluation Program. Participation in research is also available and expected.

Supervision and Training

  • A minimum of 4 hours per week of supervision
  • 2-3 hours per week of structured educational activities
  • Attendance at weekly neuropsychology/rehabilitation psychology didactics
  • Participation in other educational opportunities with our physical medicine and rehabilitation residents, neuropsychology/psychology staff, and medical staff

Qualifications

  • Successful completion of all degree requirements for doctoral degree in clinical psychology (PhD, PsyD)
  • Successful completion of APA-accredited psychology internship
  • Prior clinical experience in health psychology, neuropsychology, or rehabilitation psychology
  • AHA CPR/AED and First Aid certifications by beginning of employment
  • Background check (Livescan) by beginning of employment

Benefits

  • Competitive stipend meeting or exceeding NIH guidelines for postdoctoral fellows
  • Fellows are eligible for full benefits, which include medical, dental, retirement, and paid time off
  • Position/institution qualification for current federal student loan forgiveness (PSLF)

Application Process

  • Applications are due by 8 a.m., December 7, 2020
  • Materials must include:
    • Letter of interest addressing goals for post-doctoral training and career interests
    • Curriculum vitae
    • 2 letters of recommendation emailed directly to program director

Submit via email to:

Elizabeth Preston Cisneros, PhD
Clinical Director, Department of Neuropsychology and Psychology
Email: ecisneros@casacolina.org
Phone: 909/596-7733, ext. 3525

  • Applicants selected for interviews will also be required to provide confirmation from their graduate program and internship program confirming anticipated completion dates
  • Interviews will be conducted in December and January via teleconference. Opportunities available for site visits will also be available.
  • Offers for positions will be made by February, 2021
  • Positions to begin in August/September 2021, depending upon fellow’s internship completion