PhD/PsyD How to get a job that doesn't exist?

[lisa911]

Hello,

Long time lurker, first time poster. I'm currently a postdoctoral fellow in neuropsychology, and I'm starting to prepare for the post-fellowship job hunt. I have a specialty interest in working with a specific underserved population, and I have done research/clinical work with this group in the past (I'm being purposefully vague, sorry!).

My problem is this- there are so few places in the country that regularly provide evaluations for this condition. I will be reaching out to those clinics to see if they're hiring, but what I'd really like to do is find a job in an area without these providers, since I see those areas as more significantly in need. But how do you apply for a job that doesn't exist? How do I convince department heads/hospital administrators that there is a need for this, and that they should take a chance and create a position?

Has anyone done this type of thing before? Do I have to apply for a more "traditional" position first, and then start building a client base/referral stream once I'm already "in"? Marketing/salesmanship is definitely not my area of expertise!

Thanks, I'd appreciate any little tidbits or pieces of advice you may have!

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[PsyDr]

Either get 1) get a job, create some capital and referral base, create revenue, publish, and then sell your program to a healthcare agency or go into pp or 2) get a loan, open a private practice, publish, and figure out how to sell to healthcare agencies.

Being underserved means just about nothing. Ultimately this is a business. If your patient population pays you in bubblegum, no one will want your program. But if you can make it work either through private pay, grants, or third party payers, you can create what you want.

 

[cara susanna]

Is this group related to neuropsychology? Given that you're completing a fellowship in that area, it might make the most sense to get a neuropsych job and then you can try to sub-specialize within that area. Of course, if it is not related to neuropsych, this idea may not work.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Is this group related to neuropsychology? Given that you're completing a fellowship in that area, it might make the most sense to get a neuropsych job and then you can try to sub-specialize within that area. Of course, if it is not related to neuropsych, this idea may not work.

Good advice.

A clinician can carve out a niche area while taking "bread and butter" cases to pay the bills. I've (inadvertently) developed a secondary niche area over the past few yrs bc I eval'd enough of a low incident rate condition that the related specialists now have me as their "go to" person. I don't go looking for cases bc they are by nature complex and messy, but if you do a good job you'll get more referrals in the future.