Ann Arbor VAMC Postdoctoral Training Program

This new Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship program has been approved for four fellows, two in Mental Health and two in Neuropsychology. The Mental Health positions are each one year. The Neuropsychology positions are each two years. We will fill one of the Neuropsychology positions the first year and will subsequently recruit one additional fellow each year into this program.

The goals of the Fellowship generally are to:

1. Provide advanced training for independent professional practice, with understanding and skill in collaboration with other health professionals, skill in recognizing medical/legal issues, practical competence in the identification and resolution of ethical dilemmas, continuous growth in sensitivity to individual and cultural diversity in psychology, and ability to practice in organizational context(s);
2. Create the inception of a specialization in each Fellow in their intended Mental Health, Behavioral Health, or Neuropsychological career path by providing expertise in specific assessment and intervention problems and situations typical of those encountered as a practicing Psychologist in that area;
3. Develop a greater database in their realm of specialization by teaching more advanced methods of scholarly inquiry and providing specific training in how and where new knowledge in the specialty is found and made (Walker & London, 2007);
4. Teach methods of evidence based practice in Psychology as a central methodology to link available scientific knowledge to practice through an organized series of steps that will be used in the Fellowship year as a prelude for the permanent employment in specialty practice, and;
5. Help to develop the professional identity of the Fellow, build supervisory and teaching capabilities, and involve the Fellow in a wide range of professional activities.

The two Mental Health positions will be devoted to training involving enhancement and specialized MH practice. Fellows will elect a major and a minor area of clinical concentration in: 1) evidence-based interventions for ambulatory primary care patients with high acuity mental health and substance abuse problems, 2) evidence-based interventions to treat identified PTSD patients (OEF/OIF) to prevent progression, 3) evidence-based MH Primary Care Combined methods to address specific Veteran health and wellness issues, or 4) Development of Recovery-Based Methods to move Veterans across a Comprehensive Continuum of Care. In addition to clinical training in assessment and treatment, all postdoctoral students will be involved in training on program development, quality improvement, and program evaluation.

The Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Fellowship will be a two-year program, organized to conform closely to the Houston Conference Guidelines (Hannay, 1998). The first year concentrations will be in traumatic brain injury (TBI) (major concentration) and chronic pain care (minor concentration). The second year clinical concentrations will be in geriatric neuropsychology (major) and palliative care (minor). Beyond adhering to the general framework of Neuropsychology specialty training, Fellows need training for the full range of VA needs where they practice. There is a pressing need for VA specialists who can assess and treat veterans suspected of having TBI, but also for needs relating to other eras of service. Patients have complex needs from the Vietnam and Gulf I eras, and the need for Geriatric Neuropsychology specialists is pressing.

Faculty

Minimal Requirements: US citizenship, APA-accredited internship & doctoral degree in Psychology expected by 09/01/2008.

The stipend for the program is $44,165 for the year, paid biweekly (includes Ann Arbor Locality Based Pay). Benefits include 13 vacation days, 13 sick days, 10 federal holidays, leave for educational and professional activities, and eligibility for health insurance. Malpractice coverage is provided under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

To apply: Send cover letter, vita, transcript of graduate program (unofficial copy is OK), 3 letters of recommendation & 2 professional writing samples (i.e., deidentified/redacted report and/or article reprint) to:

Kenneth M. Adams, Ph.D.
Director of Training
Mental Helath Service
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System
2215 Fuller Road
Ann Arbor MI 48105

Application Review begins January 9th. Our VA is joining the group of VAs that will call top candidates on February 26, 2009. We have joined the APPCN Match for the one Neuropsychology position and will be interviewing candidates at the ISN meeting in Atlanta in early February. Contact Kenneth Adams (kmadams@umich.edu) for interview times. Rankings for the NP position will be submitted on February 26 and Match results will be announced on March 9, 2009). See APPCN Match Home Page and click here for Significant dates for the APPCN Match in 2009