Postdoctoral Fellow

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) through the Department of Forensic Services is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow. 

The Department of Forensic Services provides forensic evaluation and treatment for individuals who are under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile, Superior and State Courts of Georgia. Specifically, Forensic Services complete evaluations on the legal issues of competency to stand trial and criminal responsibility (insanity), as well as to provide comprehensive psychological evaluations for juveniles, in response to a court order. DBHDD also provides inpatient restoration and treatment for individuals adjudicated incompetent to stand trial or acquitted not guilty by reason of insanity who meet inpatient criteria. In addition, DBHDD provides outpatient competency restoration services and community monitoring of individuals under court jurisdiction

Job Description:

This is a full-time, 1-year, forensic post-doc fellowship with the State of Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. There is potential for a second year of post-doc fellowship and/or permanent full-time employment with pay increase upon licensure at the completion of the fellowship. Fellows will be under the supervision of seasoned licensed forensic psychologists and provide clinical and forensic psychological services to individuals involved with the legal system. Provides Supervised Work Experience (SWE) -1,500 to 2,000 total hours - to meet the requirements for licensure in jurisdictions that require continued postdoctoral supervision. There are options to work with juveniles (outpatient) or adults (inpatient and outpatient) or a combination of juveniles and adults. Fellows will be conducting court-ordered evaluations and possibly providing expert testimony to State, Superior and Juvenile courts, as needed. There may be opportunity for some inpatient shadowing at one of DBHDD’s hospitals, completing clinical evaluations, attending treatment teams and providing inpatient individual and group treatment with forensic patients.

Adult Focus:

·       Conduct pretrial outpatient Competency to Stand Trial and Criminal Responsibility Evaluations at jails, in the community, or in state psychiatric hospitals

·       Testify as to opinion if needed

·       Conduct outpatient and inpatient Annual Reviews of individuals found not competent to stand trial and not restorable or not guilty by reason of insanity

·       Conduct violence risk assessments

·       Depending on availability, there will be opportunities for inpatient shadowing, psychological assessment, treatment team participation, and providing therapeutic groups

·       Requires travel to various locations for outpatient evaluations and travel to the state hospital for inpatient opportunities

·       Will be supervised by seasoned licensed psychologists

·       The primary location for inpatient work is Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, Georgia (maximum security forensic unit).  Other locations may be possible.

Juvenile Focus:

·       Conduct Behavioral Health (full psychological evaluations), Designated Felony, Transfer to Superior Court and Competency Evaluations with juveniles in detention centers or in the community, evaluations of juveniles charged as adults possible

·       Conduct risk assessments and cognitive/social/emotional/behavioral testing

·       Write comprehensive reports for the court providing background information, mental status exam, test results, diagnoses and treatment recommendations

·       Interview parents and gather collateral data

·       Provide feedback to parties involved with the youth

·       Testify as to opinion if needed

***There is opportunity for an adult/juvenile split

Positions are available in metro Atlanta. Travel reimbursement provided for travel to evaluations. Travel from home to State Hospitals for inpatient work may be reimbursed depending on location. Supervision will be in person and virtual as needed. Case Consultation groups, training and treatment team participation is available.

 Benefits

Full-time employment offers:

·       a competitive salary (See Statewide Salary Pay)

·       access to a variety of comprehensive healthcare plans best suiting your/your families’ needs

·       flexible benefits program offering a wide range of coverages/levels to advance total wellness for you and your family including vision, dental, life insurance, AD&D, short and long-term disability, long term care, critical illness, legal and flexible spending accounts

·       retirement and savings plans encompassing both a defined benefit pension plan and defined contribution 401(k) plan with an employer match of up to 5%

·       13 paid holidays, vacation and sick leave

·       More information on benefits here.

Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer

FOR THIS TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT, STATE LAW REQUIRES A NATIONAL AND STATE BACKGROUND CHECK AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT.  B9876