Clinical Psychology Internship in Developmental Disabilities and Pediatric Psychology

Application Procedures

Requirements of Applicants

Applicants must be enrolled in a PhD or PsyD program that is accredited by the American Psychological Association. Further, they must be U.S. Citizens or hold a Permanent Residents Visa. 

Applicants must have completed at least two years of graduate training in psychology. Significant progress toward the completion of the doctoral dissertation is appropriate and completion of the dissertation is desirable.  

We strive to recruit applicants who are well-prepared for the challenges of our internship program. To that end, we seek interns who have a strong background in at least one of the following areas: developmental disabilities, evaluation of pediatric/child populations, pediatric psychology, pediatric chronic illness, and child and family cognitive behavioral/behavioral intervention. During the process of reviewing applications for our pre-doctoral internship, faculty members consider the following practicum training experiences when determining whether applicants' experiences and interests fit with the program's model, philosophy, and training goals:

1. Those that involve working directly with children and/or families
2. Those that emphasize youth with complex medical and/or developmental conditions
3. Those that involve interdisciplinary and/or multidisciplinary care
4. Those that involve hospital-based care

We recognize that prospective interns are unlikely to have had all experiences listed above. However, moderate involvement in one or more practicum experiences in the areas listed above strengthens one's application.

Additionally, successful applicants are expected to have training and background in the theoretical orientation of the training program. That is, we select applicants who have didactic training and experience in models of practice that focus on using empirical data and methods to select/evaluate assessment and intervention practices. Optimal candidates have experience with or interest in interdisciplinary care. Assessment and treatment experience with children is essential. Well developed social skills and an ability to work collaboratively are a plus.

How to Apply

No participant, employee, student, beneficiary, or potential beneficiary of the Oregon Health & Science University shall be discriminated against on the basis of age, color, handicap, marital status, national origin, race, religion, or sex.   For such matters, direct inquiries to Jilma Meneses, OHSU Director of Affirmative Action, or to the Office of Civil Rights, Washington D.C., 20201

The following is to be submitted for a complete application:

A. The APPIC Application for Psychology Internship (AAPI ONLINE) as it appears on the APPIC homepage (http://www.appic.org).
B . The APPIC certification of readiness for internship signed by your Director of Training (part of the AAPI ONLINE).
C . An official transcript of your graduate work.
D . A current curriculum vita that includes the following (as appropriate):

1. Educational history.
2. Professional experience including clinical and research endeavors.
3. Membership in professional societies.
4. Papers published, presented, and in press.
5. Other relevant training and/or experience.
6. Honors and awards.

E .Three letters of reference from professionals familiar with your academic, clinical, and/or research activities.
F . A description of your psychological interests and goals for the training year (which may be addressed as part of the APPIC application or as part of a cover letter).
G . We ONLY accept applications submitted via the APPIC online submission system, available www.APPIC.org. All application materials must be submitted via this online system.  

APPLICATION DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 1 , 2011
All application materials must be uploaded via the online APPI by this date.
Note: it is the applicant's responsibility to verify that app materials have been successfully uploaded.

 

Inquiries should be directed to:  navan@ohsu.edu or 503-494-2734

 

Selection Process

Processing of applications begins in the fall and candidates should allow sufficient time for receipt and review of the completed application and receipt of the letters of reference by NOVEMBER 1, 2011. Only complete applications, including letters, uploaded and released via the online APPI by this deadline will be considered. 

The CDRC Division of Psychology has developed a formal selection process using standard rating methods and agreed upon criteria to assist in the decision of whether and where to rank applicants. All completed applications will receive an initial review to determine whether candidates meet minimum requirements for our training program. Based on this review, selected candidates will be invited to attend one of two MANDATORY interview days (see below). Final decisions regarding rank ordering of candidates are made following a standard rating process and group discussions involving all core faculty members involved in the internship program and will occur following the interview days.

Interview Days:

Applicants will receive a formal invitation to attend an interview day (by the APPIC Interview Notification due date of December 15, 2011 at the latest, as early as December 1, 2011). The interview day involves an opportunity to learn more about the specific training activities of the internship program and the clinical, research, and administrative activities of the core faculty participating in the internship program. Further, candidates have an opportunity to dialog with current interns. Additionally, interviews with several different faculty are conducted. Finally, a tour of the facilities is offered. The interview event is evaluative in nature and information, both formal and informal, gathered that day will be used in determining ultimate rank order of candidates.

Two dates will be offered for the interviews, occurring in early January. Specific details regarding these interview events will be sent to invited applicants by December 15 2011 at the latest.

Invited candidates for whom attending an interview day is considered a hardship are encouraged to contact the Director of Training to discuss alternate information gathering and evaluative possibilities at their earliest convenience.

Dates of the Training Year:

The training year runs from August 1, 2012 to July 31, 2013. Initially, interns complete an orientation that focuses on activities specifically related to psychology, including familiarizing trainees with faculty research mentors and community placement options. Then, orientation will include trainees from a variety of disciplines, and will highlight aspects of the interdisciplinary training experience.

If Selected as an Intern:

1. Professional liability insurance will need to be provided by either the intern or his/her home institution. Coverage limits must be at least $1,000,000 per occurrence, and $3,000,000 aggregate. The Student Insurance provided through the American Psychological Association meets this requirement.
2. Interns are required to provide proof of current vaccinations, and if the full panel required by OHSU is not current, then they will need to update vaccinations at their expense. For more information about required vaccinations, please see http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/education/student-services/student-health/services/immunizations.cfm.
3. If an applicant matches with our site, final appointment to the position as a psychology intern is contingent upon satisfactorily passing a background check that includes, but may not be limited to, criminal offender inquiry. Prior conviction does not necessarily disqualify an applicant. As appropriate, a risk assessment will be made that considers the conviction relative to the essential functions as an intern, the time frame in which the offense occurs, and any mitigating circumstances. Applicants concerned about potential issues are welcome to contact the site early in the process.
4. Additionally, an applicant may be expected to successfully pass a drug screen, completed potentially at the expense of the applicant, prior to final appointment as an intern. Again, this would be completed after the match is completed.

--Please check back to this webpage for up-dated information regarding these and related issues.

Previous Psychology Interns

Former interns have continued on into successful careers in psychology. Listed below are some examples of their current positions:

• Post doctoral fellowships in pediatric psychology, behavioral medicine, neuropsychology, child and family studies, developmental disabilities, and behavioral disorders of children and adolescents
• Academic positions at national and international universities and medical centers
• Clinical psychologists in community-based programs
• Clinical psychologists in private practice
• School psychologists

APPIC