Developmental Psychologist (Prenatal Pediatrics)

The Prenatal Pediatrics Institute (PPI) at Children's National Hospital is currently accepting applications for a developmental psychologist. This full-time position will include patient care, program development, applied clinical research opportunities, and advocacy efforts for a perinatal through infancy and early childhood population. PPI provides advanced diagnostic imaging and multidisciplinary care for pregnant individuals and families who have received a prenatal diagnosis of a complex fetal medical condition, including genetic, neurologic, and/or cardiac conditions. Team psychologists participate in screening, assessment, and intervention to support patients and families navigating significant stress and uncertainty during pregnancy and into early childhood. This new position will focus on conducting ongoing developmental assessment and related patient care for PPI infants, toddlers, and young children. As part of clinical care, the psychologist will attend and participate in regular multidisciplinary team meetings, collaborate with colleagues across multiple medical subspecialties, and support patients longitudinally across inpatient and outpatient contexts. Outpatient services are provided in-person and via telemedicine, with the psychologist located on-site at the main hospital campus in Washington DC.

The psychologist will play an active role in the development and expansion of perinatal psychology services at Children's National Hospital, with opportunities to create new projects and implement new programs. Opportunities for advocacy and research collaborations are many and varied, based on interest and goals. The psychologist will take part in faculty meetings for PPI and the affiliated Center for Prenatal, Neonatal, and Maternal Health Research as well as the Psychology Department at Children's National. This psychologist will join a larger mental health team focused on perinatal and infant mental health within Children's National and across the DC area. Opportunities for ongoing training and for specifically receiving advanced training in perinatal mental health, which allows for eventual PMH-C certification, are available if desired.

All applicants should have attended an APA-accredited doctoral and internship program. Preferred qualifications include previous experience with developmental testing, infant mental health, and pediatric/health psychology. Applicants from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please send the following materials to Tracy Vozar, PhD (tvozar@childrensnational.org)

1) a cover letter describing relevant experience and career goals,

2) a Curriculum Vitae, and

3) two letters of recommendation.

Questions about the position can also be directed to Tracy Vozar, PhD. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with interviews expected in Spring 2024.

Minimum Education

Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) Doctoral degree in clinical psychology or pediatric psychology from APA accredited program. All pre and post-doctoral training completed.

Minimum Work Experience

Experience working with children and adolescents from diverse backgrounds, experience

working in primary care setting and/or multi-disciplinary team, bilingual (English-Spanish).

Required Licenses

Psychologist Licensed in Washington, DC. Fully licensed and credentialed psychologist at Children's National Medical Center.

Required Skills/Knowledge

Knowledge of current principles, methods and interventions for the delivery of psychological services including diagnosis and treatment in the area of expertise.

Knowledge of legal and ethical standards for the delivery of psychological care.

Ability to function independently in evaluating patient problems and developing a plan for patient care.

Ability to incorporate ethical concepts into patient care and discuss these with the patient, family, and other members of the health care team.

Ability to supervise, advise, and train clinical professionals and/or students in area of expertise.

Ability to maintain quality and safety standards.

Demonstrates a personal commitment to Continuing Education and remains current on the developments and progress in his/her subspecialty .

Demonstrates knowledge of and complies with legal and ethical standards for the delivery of psychological care.

Functional Accountabilities

Commitment to World Class Care

Provide clinical services for patients at Children's Hospital and other approved sites in an ethical, professional and timely manner.

Provide oversight of the medical care team and manage direct patient care for a specified patient population; improve continuity of care, customer service and partnerships with community physicians through timely completion of records and communication.

Provide on-call services as determined by the Division Chief.

Actively participate in family centered care and communicate in a professional and compassionate manner; refer patients to specialists and to relevant ancillary services as appropriate.

Appropriately utilize the defined chain of command and escalation policies.

Respond to team members and outside providers in a timely and respectful manner; communicate clearly to trainees expectations regarding patient updates and notifications of significant clinical changes, and encourages questions from trainees.

Commitment to Advocacy

Participate in CNMC's advocacy initiatives.

Contribute scholarly effort to the advancement of public policy to promote population-based pediatric health and well being.

Teach patients and families about treatment, prevention, and care enhancement techniques.

Participate in specific health promotion, education and/or prevention programs.

Contribute scholarly effort to the advancement of public policy that promotes population-based pediatric health and well being.

Commitment to Education

Participate as appropriate in hospital/university -wide educational programs.

Provide timely feedback to trainees.

Ensure adequate orientation for the care that the trainees deliver.

Supervise and train clinical professionals and students effectively.

Commitment to Quality & Compliance

Follow established bylaws, policies and procedures, continuous quality improvement objectives, and safety, environmental, and/or infection control standards.

Adequately and promptly complete all clinical documentation as required by JCAHO, other regulatory bodies and/or the Medical Staff Bylaws, Rules and Regulations and Policies and Procedures include complete clinical charge documentation.

Identify problems related to patient services and make recommendations for improvement.

Cooperate and participate in the development, implementation and revision of policies affecting medical practice, judgment and quality of care; Participate as a member of special care teams, Medical Staff and hospital committees.

Review and prepare protocol for use by staff. Evaluate patient care according to adopted protocol and Quality Assurance program criteria. Participate in evaluation of peers and support staff; acknowledge and report medical and/or other errors as well as participate in efforts to prevent them.

Full-time Salary Range - 100000 - 300000