Practicum Opportunity Available for BU Forensic Medical Evaluation Group
Practicum Opportunity
Agency Name: Boston University Forensic Medical Evaluation Group
Title of Position: Coordinator, Forensic Medical Evaluation Group
Address: Shapiro Building, BMC (Albany St.), 5th Floor Adult Primary Care
Agency description/mission statement:
The Boston University Forensic Medical Evaluation Group is a service for asylum seekers and others requiring documentation of prior ill treatment. This innovative program, part of the Boston University Department of Medicine and School of Public Health, was co-founded and is co-directed by Drs. Sondra Crosby and Elizabeth Rourke.
We offer evaluation and documentation of physical and psychological evidence of torture and abuse in a supportive and collaborative environment, working closely with attorneys. During a four hour weekly session, asylum seekers and others who are alleging abuse, female genital mutilation, and/or torture undergo a comprehensive evaluation utilizing methods outlined in the Istanbul Protocol, the international standard for the investigation and documentation of torture. Each case is discussed in a group setting, and conclusions are reached in a collaborative fashion.
We have recruited and trained sub-specialists to serve as consultants for our forensic group. These consultants actively participate in analysis of findings. They include academic specialists in the fields of radiology, orthopedics, dermatology, neurology, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, gynecology, urology, rheumatology, and pathology (Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.) In the past year, our group has completed over 35 evaluations.
In addition to performing medical evaluations, we have regular didactic sessions on all aspects of medical forensics, and are actively involved in academic work, including scholarly publications, advancing the field of torture documentation. We teach students (medical, law, and public health), medical residents, physicians, lawyers, and judges. Dr. Crosby has taught medical forensics and implementation of the Istanbul Protocol to physicians in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan in the last year. She has also performed forensic evaluations for the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry.
In the next year, we plan to increase the number of forensic evaluations completed, recruit new members to our team, and formalize a comprehensive teaching curriculum in medical forensics.
Our long term goal is to create the first United States board certification for practitioners in the field of medical forensic documentation.
Practicum description:
The Practicum student will act as the Coordinator for the Boston University Forensic Medical Evaluation Group. He or she will engage in program development, implementation, and evaluation, including some marketing, communication, and website development.
As the Coordinator, the Practicum student will assess the current interactions between lawyers, doctors, and patients, and suggest and implement improvements. He/she will create marketing tools and dramatically expand the existing rudimentary web presence. In conclusion, the Practicum student will undertake and complete an evaluation of the activities of the Forensic Medical Evaluation Group, including suggestions and steps to move toward the program’s goal of creating the first American board certified training program in medical forensic documentation.
Scope of work:
The Practicum student will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the evaluation group, including a weekly forensic clinic taking place in the BMC Adult Primary Care Clinic, held Thursdays, 1-5pm. He/she will coordinate with lawyers for patients seeking asylum, patients, clinic staff, and doctors performing forensic evaluations. He/she will be present during the forensic clinic and participate in case presentations and collaborative assessments. He/she will manage the input of consulting specialists as needed, and the production of forensic affidavits created as a result of group evaluations. He/she will do research into special topics in forensic evaluation as indicated. He/she will be responsible for updating website and receive training on how to do so. The Coordinator will assist evaluations MD’s in providing forensic testimony in US Immigration Court as needed.
Minimum skills required:
Organizational skills
Communication skills
Experience in basic medical literature search (Medline searches, etc.)
Knowledge of web design or ability to master this
Analytical skills
Interest in asylum-seeking and refugee patients
Practicum student will need to bring his or her own computer to clinic hours
Estimated start/end date: November 6, 2014 with preference for commitment through entire Spring semester.
Estimated days/hours: Approximately 8 hours/week, including 4 hours between 1 and 5 pm on Thursday afternoons (required).
Application deadline: October 31, 2014
Number of students requested: 1
Is a car necessary? No
Stipend: No
To apply: Please submit a CV/resume and a cover letter with a brief statement of interest indicating any relevant background, skills, or experiences to: Veronique Hionis, Coordinator of the Forensic Medical Evaluation Group, at vhionis@bu.edu. Please also mention if you are available through Spring Semester.
