Is post doc too late to obtain training in SMI?

[Spydra]

I had really hoped to fill this gap while on internship, but it is clear this won't happen. I have an adult inpatient rotation, but there is no individual treatment or assessment. I just supervise a peer support group, there are no treatment groups. There are no SMI seminars or trainings available either so I'm trying to figure out what other options I have for SMI training before I'm no longer considered a trainee.

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[JustNoticing]

I'm sorry, what kind of adult inpatient rotation is that!? (sorry I don't have a more meaningful answer to your question)

 

[summerbabe]

Definitely not. I branched out on a bunch of new things during my postdoc since it was located at a flagship VA medical center with lots of elective rotation options and some of these experiences have helped with securing staff jobs.

As somebody who has worked as an acute inpatient psychologist, there generally isn’t overwhelming demand for SMI jobs. Experience is helpful but some good general assessment experience, group experience, being a good team member, and flexibility/enthusiasm (plus a license) can be enough to get your foot in the door.

 

[WisNeuro]

It's not too late to get that experience. You can even get it early career, with the proper supervision and consultation. I did a few minor rotations in SMI populations in my intern/fellowship years, in addition to the inpatient neuro consults. I would agree that the peer support group may not be a great indepth experience as there is no assessment or treatment, but at least it gives you a taste of the milieu.

 

[iliketohelppeople]

Not too late at all. I did my postdoc in SMI after having limited SMI experience and it was terrific. I feel very comfortable now doing SMI (in particular psychosis) work. The VA has a pretty good network of sites that do training in SMI/Interprofessional work for postdoc: https://www.mirecc.va.gov/visn5/training/interprofessional_fellowship_program.asp

 

[Spydra]

I'm sorry, what kind of adult inpatient rotation is that!? (sorry I don't have a more meaningful answer to your question)

I literally ask myself this every single time I have to go over there. I offered to run treatment groups, but was shut down because the art therapist is "enough" per management. I see no reason why my clinical training can't be utilized in addition to the art therapists work, but this is not a battle I have the energy to fight.

Experience is helpful but some good general assessment experience, group experience, being a good team member, and flexibility/enthusiasm (plus a license) can be enough to get your foot in the door.

If this is enough it seems odd that nearly every postdoc opportunity I've seen has said SMI experience is required. I have group experience (and not just this peer support group), am getting good assessment experience, am flexible/enthusiastic, can function as part of a team (based on research experience) and I have a license. Hmm and I am on several insurance panels so I think I can market all of this effectively.

Ultimately I'm happy that I didn't miss the boat. I don't have huge SMI aspirations, I just wanted to try it out. As I look for postdoc opportunities I will be sure to ask way more questions regarding inpatient opportunities to hopefully avoid not getting to use my clinical training.

 

[summerbabe]

If this is enough it seems odd that nearly every postdoc opportunity I've seen has said SMI experience is required.

If one is pursuing a specialized SMI postdoc, some experience is likely needed as your competition probably has it and might be using the postdoc to prepare them for an SMI role afterwards.

I was speaking more so for staff jobs. In my state, one does not absolutely need SMI experience to be hired on at our state hospital that houses some of our most acute patients with SMI. And I have VA colleagues who landed PRRC or acute inpatient roles with no or limited SMI training, which I think speaks to difficulty of hiring for some of these positions.

 

[Spydra]

@summerbabe Well none of them have been specialized SMI postdocs, but the settings have been corrections, state hospital, VA, AMCs, and CMHCs so far. It does make sense that some states may relax the requirements if they have trouble filling positions.