Forensic Psychology (ELMHS) - Postdoctoral Fellowship

Description

The Forensic Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship at Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System is offered through the Forensic Neuropsychiatry division of the Tulane Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. The goal of the fellowship is to enhance and broaden the fellow’s forensic assessment skills. Under supervision, fellows will conduct forensic evaluations at an inpatient forensic hospital (Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System - ELMHS) and in private cases.  Fellows will perform a wide variety of forensic mental health assessments with forensic patients, incarcerated individuals, as well as those in the community.

 

A wide range of evaluations are requested at the ELMHS forensic state hospital and include: competency to stand trial (CST) evaluations, evaluations for malingering, psychodiagnostic clarification, intellectual and cognitive evaluations, and violence risk evaluations. Evaluees are justice-involved individuals who have been adjudicated not guilty by reason of insanity (NGRI) or deemed incompetent to stand trial by the court. Fellows will be responsible for selecting, administering, scoring, and interpreting psychological tests with the goal of writing high-quality integrated forensic reports.

 

Additional forensic assessment opportunities are available through conducting private evaluations in person in the greater New Orleans area and as a remote evaluator. The scope of evaluation questions are broad and come from referrals from attorneys, courts, and medico-legal professionals. Typical forensic cases will encompass both criminal and civil areas, although the majority of referrals are for criminal evaluations. Referrals include competency to stand trial evaluations, violence risk assessments, mitigation/resentencing evaluations, and trauma and PTSD evaluations in both federal and state court. A large portion of case referrals are for criminal responsibility evaluations.

 

Fellows will also have the opportunity to participate in administrative and clinical meetings, conduct forensic research, and when possible, supervise other trainees under the umbrella supervision of a licensed psychologist. Fellows will attend forensic training seminars and scheduled didactics, including landmark case seminars and expert witness seminars. The forensic fellow is responsible for leading the ACGME-required Forensic Journal Club/Research Seminar. Participation in the annual mock trial conducted jointly with the Tulane Law Clinic and the Tulane Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship is expected. Additionally, opportunities to observe a board-certified psychologist testify and receive supervision on report writing for court and discussion of expert witness skills is a frequent activity.

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

1. Completion of a Psy.D. or Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in forensic psychology at an APA-accredited program by the start of the fellowship.
2. Completion of an APA-accredited internship with an emphasis on forensic psychology by the start of the fellowship.
3. Eligibility for state or provincial licensure or certification for the independent practice of psychology by the start of the fellowship.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES TYPICALLY NEEDED TO PERFORM THIS JOB SUCCESSFULLY:  

1.       Ability to use and interpret forensic psychological assessment instruments and the ability to obtain relevant data through third-party data gathering and a comprehensive forensic interview.

2.       Ability to integrate results and formulate interpretations consistent with data, relevant to the conclusions related to the legal question.

3.       Excellent forensic report-writing skills, including the ability to write an accurate, comprehensive, and defensible integrated forensic report focused on the referral/psycholegal issue.

4.       Experience in reviewing and summarizing case records.

5.       Excellent time management, organizational, and self-management skills, including the ability to self-manage remote work.

6.       Ability and willingness to travel/commute when required.

7.       Excellent communication skills, flexibility, and the ability to work in high-stress situations.

8.       Working knowledge of, and practice consistent with, the Specialty Guidelines for Forensic Psychologists and the A