Career Opportunities

The Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry at West Virginia University School of Medicine is excited to offer a dynamic and comprehensive one- or two-year fellowship program in Clinical Health Psychology with a focus on Bariatrics.

Why Choose This Fellowship?:

-Diverse Training Across the Bariatrics Continuum: Gain hands-on experience at a leading academic institution across all aspects of bariatric care: behavioral weight loss, medical weight management, pre- and post-surgical care, including laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures.

-Broad Range of Specialized Rotations: Customize your experience with rotations in areas such as Transplant Evaluation, Primary Care/Integrated Behavioral Health, and more. We offer flexibility to tailor your training plan based on your career goals.

-Opportunity for Publication and Cutting-Edge Research: Work alongside a productive research team at the Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, with possible opportunities to participate in pioneering clinical trials. Get involved in meaningful research, with support to publish your findings.

-Full day Protected Time for Education and Research: Enjoy a dedicated day each week for administrative tasks, including half a day for education/didactics and half a day protected for research. Engage in a year-long Cultural and Individual Diversity Seminar.

-Flexible Work Options: Options for remote work or work-from-home arrangements are available.

-Competitive Salary and Benefits: Earn a competitive stipend of $52,940, plus $750 for educational expenses. We also cover EPPP study materials and licensure exam fees.

-Supportive Training Environment: Join a collaborative and enriching training culture that supports your professional development.

Program Overview

This postdoctoral fellowship in Clinical Health Psychology – Bariatrics is crafted to equip you with specialized expertise in health psychology with a concentration in obesity and bariatric surgery. This fellowship is designed to provide the depth and breadth of training needed for a successful career in Clinical Health Psychology, with a distinctive focus on obesity and bariatrics.

As a fellow, you’ll become proficient in obesity treatments, encompassing nutritional, behavioral, pharmacological, and surgical options. Key areas of involvement include:

-Behavioral Weight Loss: Conduct assessments and provide interventions for health promotion and behavior change in collaboration with wellness programs like Finding Wellness.
-Medical Weight Management Clinic: Join a multidisciplinary team to offer consultative support, help patients achieve weight loss goals, and address disordered eating.

-Bariatric Surgery Program: The core rotation includes participation in WVU’s comprehensive Bariatric Surgery Program. Gain in-depth training in pre-surgical psychological evaluations and provide ongoing support for patients before and after surgery, including group and individual therapy.

Additional rotations to enhance your knowledge include::

-Experiences with Medical Weight Management and Bariatric Surgery: Observe multidisciplinary clinics, pre- and post-operative care, surgical procedures, and nutrition education.
-Opportunities in Other WVU Medicine Clinics: Engage with specialists in areas like Diabetes, Pulmonology, and Cardiology.

-Rotations within Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry: Additional areas include Transplant Psychology (kidney, heart, and living donor evaluations), Pain Management (assessment and treatment within an integrated pain center), and Pre-treatment Evaluation for other medical procedures.

Apply

Application Due Date: December 15, 2024

To apply, submit a CV, Cover Letter, and 2 letters of recommendation via APPA CAS by 12/15/24.

Interviews will be scheduled in January 2025 and conducted virtually. Interviews will be completed by Feb 1. We will make offers upon completing interviews and ranking all applicants for the position. Our program follows APPIC Selection Standards and Common Hold Date.