The VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VAPAHCS) invites applications for a one-year APA-accredited Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship with emphasis in Rehabilitation Psychology. Training will focus on advanced general clinical competencies and specific advanced competencies in Rehabilitation Psychology, including assessment and treatment of individuals with a variety of injuries, disabilities, and chronic health conditions. These may include traumatic brain injury, polytrauma, stroke, tumor resection, encephalopathy, motor disorders, neuromuscular and autoimmune disorders, other CNS neurological disorders, knee or hip replacements, general deconditioning, spinal cord and related disorders, vision loss, and amputations. Postdoctoral training in this emphasis area is designed to provide trainees with the experiences required to meet eligibility requirements for Board Certification in Rehabilitation Psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology.
The Fellow will be encouraged to further his/her clinical experience in both inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation units/services offered at VAPAHCS. The Fellow has the opportunity to receive specific training at the following treatment centers and programs: the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center/Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center, Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation Program, Spinal Cord Injury unit and/or clinic, Western Blind Rehabilitation Center, and the Neuropsychological Assessment and Intervention Clinic. The Fellow may also elect to complete mini- rotations at the Men’s and Women's Trauma Recovery Programs and the Family Therapy Program.
The individualized training plan for the Fellow will be developed with the assistance of a Primary Preceptor who will help plan the fellow's overall program, ensure sufficient depth and breadth of experience, and plan which of the Rehabilitation Psychology faculty will serve as supervisors during the fellowship year. The aim is to ensure attainment of general clinical competencies as well as to provide experience in each of the emphasis area-specific competencies. The postdoctoral fellow may also be involved with research conducted within the Polytrauma System of Care or affiliated research programs; these research opportunities may include program evaluations, studying the effectiveness of treatments for traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord disabilities, and post-traumatic stress disorders for this population of patients.
The program has been developed in accordance with the Division 22 – Rehabilitation Psychology training guidelines for training in rehabilitation and the APA guidelines from the National Conference on Postdoctoral Training in Professional Psychology.
The Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship will be for a full year, full-time with a salary of $50,006 per annum. Vacation, sick leave, authorized leave for conferences, and health insurance are available. U.S. citizens who are candidates in or have completed an APA-accredited doctoral program in clinical/counseling psychology and who are enrolled in or have completed an APA-accredited internship are eligible to apply. All doctoral degree requirements, including dissertation defense, must be completed prior to beginning the fellowship.
Length of programs: 12 months
The Community: This VA Medical Center is set in Seattle, a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, professional and collegiate sports, as well as a dynamic urban arts community. There is ready access to hiking, kayaking, sailing, camping, fishing, golfing, water sports, and the great outdoors.
Eligibility:
1. United States citizen.
2. Obtained a doctoral degree in psychology from an APA-accredited doctoral program.
3. Completed an APA-accredited psychology internship.
Application Procedure:
1. Letter of application outlining specific training goals and long term professional goals, and how these goals fit our particular training program.
2. Detailed vita or resume describing background, training and experience, a description of internship, and other scholarly activity and research.
3. Three letters of recommendation. At least one of these must be from an internship supervisor. 4. A letter (fax or E-mail is acceptable) from the internship Training Director that an APA- accredited internship will be completed by September 1, 2012
5. A letter (fax or E-mail is acceptable) from the APA-accredited graduate program Training Director that the Ph.D./Psy.D. has been awarded or that all degree requirements will be completed before September 1, 2012.
*** The deadline for completed applications is January 15, 2011 but earlier submissions are highly encouraged. Top candidates will be offered interviews (either in person or by telephone, according to the applicant’s preference).
Send application materials and inquiries to:
Steve McCutcheon, PhD
Director, Psychology Training
Mental Health (116)
VA Medical Center
1660 South Columbian Way
Seattle, Washington 98108
The application forms and a complete program brochure can be downloaded from: http://www.psychologytraining.va.gov/seattle/
Applicants should be available for interview in late January through February. Selection for all positions will be announced in early March, 2012.
For general questions, please contact Steve McCutcheon, Ph.D., Director of Psychology Training, preferably by email at Stephen.McCutcheon@va.gov or at 206-764-2895.
For questions specific to postdoctoral training in the Rehabilitation Psychology emphasis area, please contact, Aaron Turner, Ph.D., ABPP(RP) at (206)277-6134 or Aaron.Turner@va.gov.
M. Jan Tackett, PhD, ABPP
Rehabilitation Psychologist
Spinal Cord Injury Program (128)
VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle Division
1660 South Columbian Way
Seattle, WA 98108-1597
206-764-2823 (office)
