Liberty Healthcare in coordination with the Illinois Department of Human Services-Treatment & Detention Facility is offering three Postdoctoral Fellowship positions specializing in Sex Offender Treatment. This one-year Forensic Psychology training will offer the selected candidates the opportunity to participate in intensive sex offender-specific group therapy with an experienced co-therapist. During this treatment-intensive training, the Fellows will function as a member of a multidisciplinary team providing psychological testing and report writing; treatment planning; as well as, group and individual treatment. The Fellow will participate in weekly training provided in multiple formats including case conferencing, multidisciplinary treatment plan staffing, staff trainings and didactic seminars. Two licensed psychologists will provide supervision to the Fellow.
Population Served: The SVP Treatment and Detention Facility is a secure residential treatment facility providing services to individuals, who have been civilly committed under the Illinois Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act and remanded to the custody of the Department of Human Services for treatment. Liberty Healthcare’s program offers a full range of diagnostic, treatment and rehabilitative services for sexually deviant behavior, mental disorders and chemical dependency. An integrated interdisciplinary team of Liberty professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, substance abuse counselors and recreation therapists, who work closely with state-employed security and paraprofessional staff to deliver a consistent, humane treatment program, staffs the facility.
The purpose of the Fellowship experience is to provide the environment and opportunity for the Fellow to apply theoretical knowledge; to implement and develop clinical techniques based on this knowledge; and to foster the professional and personal attitudes important to the identity of a professional psychologist. Evaluation of the Fellow’s progress in clinical training focuses on three areas: theoretical knowledge, clinical skills, and professional attitudes.
Post-Doctoral Fellow will perform comprehensive evaluations, including a psychiatric assessment, on all admissions to the TDF. Based on the evaluation, the professional staff creates an individualized plan of treatment that may include psychopharmacology, individual and group counseling, psychoeducational programs, behavior management, psychosocial rehabilitation, and other modalities. Post-doctoral Fellow will also supervise the assessment and report writing aspect of the Pre-doctoral interns with the guidance of the Director of Training and Research.
Ethical standards of the State of Illinois, the Department of Human Services, Liberty Healthcare, the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA) are incorporated into the Fellow’s training.
The goal of the Forensic Psychology Training Program within the Illinois Department of Human Services is to assure that Fellows are well qualified and will leave the program ready to assume their roles in the psychology community as competent, confident and ethical professionals. This goal is accomplished by guidance and supervision of the Fellow’s direct Resident contact to ensure the delivery of professional quality effective assessment and therapeutic intervention. The training curriculum utilizes live supervision and mentoring to foster appropriate development of the Fellows’ clinical skills and professional development. As well, the Fellows will be provided with didactic training experiences to provide them with insights into the practice of Professional Psychology.
Fellows are selected for this unique training experience based upon appropriateness of education and practical experience. The ideal candidate will be from an American Psychological Association (APA) approved training program and Internship will have the appropriate foundation in assessment, intervention and consultation. Prior experience or interest in working in a forensic setting is preferred. The program offers intensive, skill based training opportunities; the ability to work with a large, diverse and multi-disciplinary staff as well as an extremely challenging client population. Fellows who successfully complete the training program will be well equipped to function as a psychologist in a wide variety of settings.
Training seminars and the weekly didactic are provided in support of the Practitioner-Scholar model of Fellowship training. The goal of these learning activities is to create a learning environment, which fosters the translation of theory, research and knowledge into practice. The Fellow will also have the opportunity to attend treatment specific educational conferences to gain exposure to varying theoretical conceptualizations and treatment approaches.
Application Requirements: Individuals interested in a Fellowship position with the Forensic Psychology Training Program must have completed all requirements for a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology, or a related area, prior to the start of the Fellowship, including a Predoctoral Internship. The preferred candidate will be from an APA/CPA accredited doctoral program, however, applications from candidates from regionally accredited institution of higher learning will be accepted. Experience with psychological testing is an important factor for the Fellow since he/she will be providing mentorship/supervision of an intern throughout the year. Experience administering and scoring the Rorschach is an important criterion in the selection of the Fellow.
To fulfil the application requirements, each of the following steps must be completed:
- Submit a letter of interest with a current copy of your curriculum vitae;
- Current copies of transcripts of all graduate work must be in provided with the application materials. The selected Post Doctoral Fellows will be asked to provide official transcripts prior to the start of the training year.
- Submit one work sample. This should be an assessment report regarding an adult client that addresses, at a minimum, background information, current behavioral observations, results of a full battery of psychological tests, diagnostic formulation and treatment recommendations. Projective Testing using the Rorschach should be evidenced clearly in the psychological report. Choose this case carefully and take appropriate steps to protect the anonymity of the subject.
Submit the above information to:
John R. Reid, PhD, LCP
Director of Training & Research
Forensic Psychology Training Program c/o Liberty Healthcare Corporation
Illinois Dept. of Human Services - TDF
1680 E. County Farm Road
Rushville, IL 62681 john.r.reid@illinois.gov
Application deadline is 01/31/2014. However, applications will be considered until the three positions are filled.Preliminary telephone interviews are planned for a limited number of applicants after which, a number of candidates will be asked for an on-site interview. Failure to pass preliminary background screen will eliminate the candidate from further consideration. Interviews are tentatively planned for March 2014. See link for additional information on the program: www.libertyhealthcare.com/upload/113.pdf
Additional Security Clearance Application Procedures: Due to the sensitive nature of this training opportunity, final candidates are required to complete the Department of Human Services intense background security checks prior to admittance to the facility grounds. As well, the Fellows selected will be required to complete Liberty Healthcare’s employment application and credentialing process, which includes fingerprinting and pre-employment drug screening. Offers of Fellowship positions are strictly contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation process. Failure to complete this process or a finding that an applicant is outside the guidelines for employment in a sensitive position would preclude participation in this training program. Once hired, the Fellow must comply with the Department of Human Services and the Liberty Healthcare standards of employee conduct and responsibility. The foregoing is not intended to discourage applications, but to ensure that applicants are aware of the additional security requirements that will be imposed on them should they wish to pursue an Fellowship experience with Liberty Healthcare at the Department of Human Services. Any questions you may have should be resolved prior to submitting your list for matching.
Benefits: During the 2013/2014 training year, the following benefits are available for the selected Fellow who participates in the Forensic Psychology Training Program and expected to remain the same for the 2014/2015 training year: A stipend of $40,000, A well-rounded benefits package (401k, dental, vision and health insurance), Paid time off earned each pay period, Authorized leave to attend off-site training plus a training allowance, Support for research activity (prior approval must be obtained from DHS),The itemized benefit package will be addressed when a formal offer is issued.
Professional Liability Insurance: All Fellows accepted to this site for Fellowship Training will be covered by professional liability insurance under the Liberty Healthcare contract.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The Fellow will be selected without discrimination for any non-merit reason such as race; color; religion; national origin; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity, status as a parent; age; physical disability; marital status or, membership in an employee organization. The Illinois Department of Human Services provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the Director of Training & Research. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.
Rushville, Illinois: Located approximately 230 miles from Chicago, the city of Rushville is in Schuyler County, Illinois and is the county seat of Schuyler County. The nearest large city is Springfield, which is the state capital, approximately 120k population.
