Psychology Psychosocial Oncology Fellowship

Apos Society; Duarte (CA); Presencial; USD 68.000 - 92.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

City of Hope's Psycho-Oncology Postdoctoral Fellowship Program in Duarte, CA, is a 12-month, full-time program from September 1, 2027, through August 31, 2028, offering a stipend of $79,828.88. Fellows receive year-long training in inpatient and outpatient psychosocial oncology, and work within interdisciplinary teams with structured supervision.

The program emphasizes research, didactics, and scholarly activity, with formal evaluations and a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and professional

Descripción del empleo

Introduction

The Psycho-Oncology Postdoctoral Fellowship Program at City of Hope is a 12-month program from September 1, 2027, through August 31, 2028. Two full-time fellows will be selected with a stipend of $79,828.88 each.

City of Hope and the Department of Supportive Care

City of Hope is an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and one of the nation’s Top 12 hospitals for cancer care, according to U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-2027 rankings. City of Hope is one of only 74 NCI designated cancer centers and is a founding member of the Comprehensive Cancer Center Network. A pioneer in bone marrow transplantation and Car‑T, City of Hope has the largest and most successful bone marrow and blood stem cell transplant program in the nation, with over 20,000 bone marrow transplant procedures performed to date. Please visit the City of Hope’s website at www.cityofhope.org for additional information.

The Fellowship Program is within the Division of Psychology in the Department of Supportive Care, a department with a commitment to care of the whole person including physical symptoms of treatment, psychosocial support, and navigation and assistance with practical and daily needs. The department includes medical divisions of Supportive Medicine, Psychiatry, Psychology, Interventional Pain, and Integrative Oncology as well as Clinical Social Work, Spiritual Care and Patient Navigation with the vision of transforming whole-person care for all touched by cancer. For more information, please visit the department’s website at https://www.cityofhope.org/locations/los-angeles/departments-and-services/supportive-care-medicine.

Training Program Philosophy

The Psycho-Oncology Postdoctoral Fellowship Program aims to provide advanced specialty training in psychosocial oncology within the broader field of clinical health psychology. Through supervised clinical practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and structured educational curriculum, fellows develop competencies in science, professionalism, interpersonal skills, applications (assessment and intervention), education, and systems-based practice.

The program prepares fellows for independent practice in academic medical settings by fostering the knowledge, skills, and professional identity necessary to deliver high-quality psychological services across the cancer continuum while working collaboratively within interdisciplinary healthcare teams.

Fellowship Goals

1. 1. Understand the biopsychosocial impact of cancer and serious co‑morbidity medical conditions across the disease continuum.
2. 2. Implement evidence‑based assessment to assess and address the psychological, behavioral, and adjustment‑related concerns associated with cancer, treatment, and co‑occurring medical conditions.
3. 3. Deliver brief, evidence‑based psychotherapies commonly used in oncology outpatient settings (e.g., supportive, cognitive‑behavioral, acceptance‑based, crisis‑oriented, etc.).
4. 4. Develop inpatient consultation‑liaison skills, including assessment, triage, treatment planning, and interdisciplinary communication.
5. 5. Strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration, systems‑based practice, and patient‑centered cancer care through participation in integrated healthcare teams and professional activities.
6. 6. Develop advanced competency in psychology interventions in the setting of advanced cancer including goals of care discussions, end‑of‑life decision making, and interdisciplinary care planning.
7. 7. Cultivate a professional identity as a clinical health psychologist grounded in ethical practice, cultural humility, professionalism, and lifelong learning.
8. 8. Build foundational skills in research methodology, measurement, and scientific communication.
9. 9. Integrate science and clinical practice through scholarly activity, program development, quality improvement, and evidence‑informed decision‑making.

Clinical Training, Supervision, and Professional Development

Clinical Training:

Fellows receive year‑long training in inpatient consultation‑liaison services and outpatient psychotherapy within a comprehensive cancer center. Clinical experiences focus primarily on adult oncology populations, with opportunities for exposure to pediatric, adolescent and young adult (AYA), and geriatric oncology populations as available.

Training includes evidence-based assessment, consultation, and intervention for a wide range of concerns commonly encountered in cancer care, including but not limited to anxiety, depression, adjustment to illness, fear of cancer recurrence/progression, body image concerns, chronic pain, treatment adherence, cognitive and physical symptoms, existential distress, and end‑of‑life issues. Clinical responsibilities are tailored to each fellow's level of training and experience.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration and Clinical Rotations:

Clinical health psychologists, neuropsychologists, psychometrists, and postdoctoral fellows are integrated members of interdisciplinary oncology and supportive care teams. Fellows collaborate closely with physicians, nurses, psychiatrists, social workers, chaplains, navigators, and other professionals to provide comprehensive, patient‑centered care across the cancer continuum.

Additional learning opportunities may include clinical rotations and observational experiences in areas such as supportive medicine, psychiatry, pediatrics, and neuropsychology. These experiences enhance consultation skills, interdisciplinary collaboration, and understanding of the biopsychosocial aspects of cancer care.

Research and Scholarly Activity:

Fellows participate in scholarly and professional development activities that promote the integration of science and clinical practice. Opportunities may include research didactics, quality improvement initiatives, program development, conference presentations, and scholarly writing.

The Department of Supportive Care Medicine includes a Division of Research with resources available to assist with development of research ideas, assistance with statistics and writing, and opportunities with work with psychology and supportive care medicine researchers.

Didactics and Educational Programming:

Fellows engage in comprehensive interdisciplinary curriculum featuring didactic seminars, educational series, case conferences, rounds, invited speakers, departmental meetings, and institutional learning events.

Biweekly Psychology Division meetings provide additional specialty training through didactic presentations, case discussions, mentorship, and professional development activities.

Supervision:

Fellows receive a minimum of one hour of individual, face‑to‑face supervision each week from their primary supervisor and participate in weekly group supervision through psychosocial case rounds. In accordance with California Board of Psychology requirements, fellows receive supervision equal to at least 10% of their total weekly hours worked. Primary fellowship supervisors include Marissa Cangin, PsyD, Jeanelle Folbrecht, PhD and Elaine Wheat Dawson, PsyD.

City of Hope adheres to the California Board of Psychology requirements for supervision and licensure hour accrual.

Evaluation Process

Fellows collaborate with their primary supervisor to establish individualized training goals at the start of the fellowship year. Progress is reviewed quarterly, with formal evaluations completed semiannually across key competency domains, including science, professionalism, interpersonal skills, applications (assessment and intervention), education, and systems‑based practice.

Application Procedure

We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment where fellows experience a sense of belonging, connection, and professional growth. We value diversity in all its forms and recognize that varied backgrounds, identities, perspectives, and lived experiences enrich our clinical practice, education, research, and patient care.

Consistent with City of Hope's mission and values of compassion, inclusion, integrity, and innovation, the Psychology Division is dedicated to cultivating a culture in which individuals are empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements, including successful completion of an APA-accredited doctoral program, an accredited internship, and certification by their doctoral program that all requirements for postdoctoral fellowship eligibility can be met by September 1, 2027.