Level 1: Advanced competency areas required of all programs at the postdoctoral level
Competency 1: Integration of science and practice
Goal: Fellows will demonstrate knowledge in both research and clinical practice including relevant theories and empirical support for various therapeutic methods.
Objectives:
- Fellows will demonstrate the ability to apply scientific studies and empirical evidence into day-to-day practice.
- Fellows will integrate science and practice, where the relationship between the two is carefully considered as it pertains to clinical work.
- Fellows will use data and data analysis to inform differential diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Fellows will use data to evaluate the treatment success of patients.
- Fellows will create or assist with research projects/data collection relevant to patient outcomes.
Competency 2: Culturally competent patient care
Goal: Fellows will provide high-quality patient care that is patient- and family-centered, compassionate, equitable, appropriate, effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health, and that takes into consideration cultural differences.
Objectives:
- Fellows will demonstrate an understanding of cultural differences that are common in patient care.
- Fellows will demonstrate respect while interacting with diverse patient populations, such as patients from diverse socioeconomic, racial, cultural, age and ability backgrounds.
- Fellows will consider the unique background and needs of every client to develop an individually-tailored treatment plan and approach.
- Fellows will take a strengths-based approach that optimizes each patient’s success in treatment.
- Fellows will seek to identify preconceived and implicit biases and continuously work to challenge such biases to ensure equality and respect with all patients.
- Fellows will use supervision, and seek additional supervision as needed, to process biases to ensure cultural competence.
Competency 3: Ethical and legal behavior
Goal: Fellows will demonstrate professionalism across settings and interactions and adhere to ethical and HIPAA guidelines.
Objectives:
- Fellows will have knowledge of the APA Code of Conduct and follow these guidelines accordingly.
- Fellows will demonstrate adherence to HIPAA rules and regulations and standards for maintaining confidentiality, as well as all other guidelines required by TidalHealth and The Child & Family Center.
- Fellows will be on time, dressed appropriately and focused during all interactions.
- Fellows will not engage in behaviors that reflect poorly on them or the postdoctoral program.
Competency 4: Communication and leadership
Goal: Fellows will demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills that result in the effective exchange of information and collaboration with patients, their families, allied health professionals and colleagues.
Objectives:
- Fellows will tailor their language to meet the needs and abilities of each patient with whom they interact.
- Fellows will demonstrate active listening skills during all patient encounters, as well as when interacting with other providers and team members.
- Fellows will effectively and respectfully engage with a multidisciplinary care team to provide the best treatment for each patient.
- Fellows will effectively communicate assessment findings and clinical opinions respectfully and collaboratively.
Competency 5: Personal and professional development
Goal: Fellows will continuously engage in self-reflection and supervisory experiences for ongoing development and growth as professionals and leaders within the field of psychology.
Objectives:
- Fellows will actively engage in weekly individual supervision.
- Fellows will be receptive to and implement constructive criticism in a non-defensive manner.
- Fellows will actively engage with and participate in weekly didactic trainings as well as other offered trainings and case consultation experiences.
- Fellows will utilize feedback during supervision and evaluations to set and update progressive learning and personal goals.
- Fellows will actively seek feedback to enhance personal and professional development.
- Fellows will utilize scholarly resources and educational experiences to enhance their training, professional skills, and competence.
- Fellows will recognize gaps in their knowledge base, seek to fill in those gaps and avoid practicing outside of their competencies.
Students & Early-Career Learners
TidalHealth offers educational programs and resources designed to support students pursuing careers in healthcare. From undergraduate medical education and scholarships to residency and postdoctoral training opportunities, these programs provide hands-on learning, mentorship, and pathways to professional growth.
