Confused about Post Doc & Licensing

[HVD2011]

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I am confused about post docs for licensing requirements in Florida. Florida requires a post doc for licensing, however, if it almost cost me my sanity trying to secure an internship, how do you secure a post doc position with an even tighter pool of options. Am I missing something? If Florida requires a post doc for licensing, and there are literally only a handful of post doc positions, how do you meet this requirement? Those of you that are in the process of securing your post doc, have already done so, or are licensed please shed some light on the situation. Thanks.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I am confused about post docs for licensing requirements in Florida. Florida requires a post doc for licensing, however, if it almost cost me my sanity trying to secure an internship, how do you secure a post doc position with an even tighter pool of options. Am I missing something? If Florida requires a post doc for licensing, and there are literally only a handful of post doc positions, how do you meet this requirement? Those of you that are in the process of securing your post doc, have already done so, or are licensed please shed some light on the situation. Thanks.

Keep in mind that while most states require one year of post-doctoral supervision, I don't think any actually require a formal post-doc. Thus, you could obtain your supervision in a group practice, psych/medical hospital, or generally anywhere else that would be willing to sign off on your supervision logs. There's an APPIC post-doc listserve that could be helpful for asking about open positions, and/or you could just begin contacting employers in your area now to inquire about their willingness to help you out. Do know, though, that post-doc year salary (whether or not it's a formal post-doc position) is generally much lower than that which you'll receive when licensed.

 

[HVD2011]

Keep in mind that while most states require one year of post-doctoral supervision, I don't think any actually require a formal post-doc. Thus, you could obtain your supervision in a group practice, psych/medical hospital, or generally anywhere else that would be willing to sign off on your supervision logs. There's an APPIC post-doc listserve that could be helpful for asking about open positions, and/or you could just begin contacting employers in your area now to inquire about their willingness to help you out. Do know, though, that post-doc year salary (whether or not it's a formal post-doc position) is generally much lower than that which you'll receive when licensed.

Thanks for the info. I start Internship in August 2011, is it too soon now to try and secure post doc supervision?

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Thanks for the info. I start Internship in August 2011, is it too soon now to try and secure post doc supervision?

Personally, I'd say no, it's not too soon to at least start calling around and gauging interest. There's obviously no knowing if whether or not market conditions in a year will allow the practice/employer to keep the position open for you, but it can't hurt to ask. Also, applications for formal post doc spots will be gearing up in the latter part of 2011, so you won't be alone in looking for supervision.

 

[docma]

Start by reading the regulations for Florida (or whatever state you wish to be licensed in) in detail and understanding all the aspects of licensing as described on the state board of psychology website. A common mistake I see students make is to overlook the fact that when you graduate YOU are in charge of understanding rules about supervision/post-doc accrual, etc and the completion of paperwork, etc...grad schools no longer monitor these things and even supervisors in the field can get out of date on requirements, so due diligence matters. States typically do not require formal post-doc fellowships--but they do have specific requirements of varying kinds about who can supervise, how many hours you may accrue per week and in what kinds of activities and what your status while accruing these hours must be (eg registered in some way, using a specific title, etc.) Don't obsess, but do get informed at this stage so you can be thinking during internship about what kind of setting you want to focus on and what your time frame is for acquiring hours you need and taking the test.

 

[aventurine]

I agree that you need to read the guidelines from your state's board.

It is typically not necessary to do a formal post-doc, though these can be helpful for specialized training, or if research is your thing. If you are not doing a formal post-doc, though, I would recommend trying to find a full-time job that will offer supervision as opposed to starting in private practice immediately, because, generally speaking, you will finish your post-doc hours (and thus be eligible for licensure) more quickly that way.

At least where I live, state and city/county hospital systems often hire and supervise those in their post-doc year, though positions are more scarce due to budgetary issues; depending on your state these settings are often exempt from the need for a limited permit prior to your licensure.

I think it's not to early to start checking into possible supervised private/group practice leads, but I think it's too early to secure a job, more than a year in advance. Where I've worked, those in their current internship year tended to send their CVs in for consideration three to six months prior to when they would be available to start working, though the powers that be usually did not start interviewing that far in advance .

Neither per diem jobs nor post-docs tend to pay that much; again, at least where I live, I found that a full-time job, even unlicensed, paid better.

 

[O Gurl]

It is typically not necessary to do a formal post-doc, though these can be helpful for specialized training, or if research is your thing. If you are not doing a formal post-doc, though, I would recommend trying to find a full-time job that will offer supervision as opposed to starting in private practice immediately, because, generally speaking, you will finish your post-doc hours (and thus be eligible for licensure) more quickly that way.

Agreed. Another plug for formalized post docs is that it protects some against exploitative, low pay positions, like the following gem that was announced on the APPIC postdoc today:

Subject: post-doc or psychometrician opportunity in NH

Contract opportunity for Psy. D. or Ph. D. unlicensed professional to function as a psychometrician in our Derry and Hampstead, NH locations. Must have expertise in administering and scoring psychological tests. Please email letter of interest and CV to Dr. RB Silverman [email protected].

OR

Opportunity for postdoctoral supervision at our Manchester and Hampstead locations. Must have Psy. D. or equivalent. Please email Dr. RBSilverman at [email protected]. Include letter of interest and CV.

Yes, this is the full announcement, which seems to be recruiting for an unlicensed, doctoral....psychometrist. 🙁

While it may meet criteria for supervised hours in NH, does the young professional really gain anything from this experience?