Neuropsych Postdoc: stay or go

[Puzzle Pieces]

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In desperate need of some advice so thanks in advance for your help!

I am a first year neuropsychology postdoc at an academic medical center. About three months into my postdoc, I was diagnosed with a pretty serious medical condition (bad timing, I know). As a result of my illness and the associated assessment and treatment processes, I missed about three months of fellowship. I was able to return to my fellowship, but unfortunately, the pandemic hit just days after my return. We, as a department, have been out of the office for nearly two months, with no concrete date of return to "normal." I am now in a really difficult position- I've completed just a few months of fellowship total and while I have the option of staying on for year 2, it is clear that there will be no way for me to complete my fellowship at my current institution. I've heard from former mentors that it will be nearly impossible for me to secure a 1-year postdoc at another academic medical center on the back end of this fellowship and that returning to finish out my current contract in the Fall will essentially leave me with two options: (a) completing an additional 2-year fellowship elsewhere or (b) completing my second year of fellowship via a private practice. For a number of reasons, including established grant and research activity, I would rather stay in an academic medical center.

Added layer of complexity: my medical condition lands me in the COVID-19 high risk category.

I guess I'm just wondering if it's better to stay and attempt to complete a full year of fellowship here starting in the Fall or to cut my losses- maybe I can secure another 2-year neuropsych postdoc position for the Fall...maybe I should go another route and secure a postdoc with a greater emphasis on therapy/research, which will allow me to work from home if a second wave hits...

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Wow, that's a really tough position to be in, I'm sorry you're having to work through it; fellowship can be stressful enough as is. If you're very set on completing your second year of fellowship at an AMC, then I think finding a new postdoc may be your only option. Unfortunately, I don't know how many are still recruiting for the Fall, which further complicates things. To find a second-year position, you'd essentially be needing a first-year to leave before starting their second year. It happens, but I don't know how frequently. And I also don't know that the AMC would actually be able to roll that funding over to you, or if it'd get returned to the funding entity once the current fellow leaves.

My advice would be to begin immediately looking for new fellowships that are still available. If you land one, great. If not, you may end up being better of completing the first full year where you are, and then deciding (as you're doing so) if you want to re-apply for two-year spots, or if a private practice or non-traditional second year fellowship may work for you after all.

Have you talked with your current TD about this as well? Others can provide their take, but if you're going to begin applying for new positions immediately, your current TD will eventually need to know.

 

[cara susanna]

I echo that your situation really sucks and I'm sorry that this all happened. Is there really no way for your current fellowship to keep you on for a third year? With COVID going on, you can't be the only neuropsych fellow in this situation.

 

[WisNeuro]

I would contact ABPP about your situation and get some advice about what avenues you could pursue that would still meet HCG in their eyes. Get it in e-mail format if you can, and save that information.

 

[Puzzle Pieces]

Your feedback is really helpful. Thank you!! To address your questions: my TD and I have had very transparent conversations about this so he is fully aware of it all. There is no option for a third year in my current program.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Your feedback is really helpful. Thank you!! To address your questions: my TD and I have had very transparent conversations about this so he is fully aware of it all. There is no option for a third year in my current program.

That stinks (RE: the third year), but I'm at least glad to hear you and the TD have had these discussions. I imagine much of that may be outside the TD's control, unfortunately, depending on the funding source for the fellowship. What's the TD's take on the situation, if any?

 

[Puzzle Pieces]

That stinks (RE: the third year), but I'm at least glad to hear you and the TD have had these discussions. I imagine much of that may be outside the TD's control, unfortunately, depending on the funding source for the fellowship. What's the TD's take on the situation, if any?

That's a good question. At the risk of revealing sensitive information publically, I'll message you 🙂