Postdoctoral fellowships at UCSD/San Diego VA

The VASDHS/UCSD Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Residency Program is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) as a postdoctoral residency program in clinical psychology. In close affiliation with the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Department of Psychiatry, the program offers 1-year positions in two tracks: Evidence Based Psychotherapies (EBP) and Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR). A third track, Clinical Mental Health (CMH), is pending approval for accreditation by the APA Commission on Accreditation, for the first year of two-year training positions. The training program uses a scientist practitioner model. Development, implementation, and dissemination of evidence-based research and practice are high priorities. The amount of time spent in clinical and research experiences varies for each track, and training is individualized to each resident’s needs and interests. For more information, go to:  http://psychiatry.ucsd.edu/trainingmanual.pdf .

In the EBP Track, eight positions will be available. There is one position in each of the following emphasis areas: Anxiety, Geropsychology and Home-based Care, Mood Disorders and Suicidality, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Mental Health, OEF/OIF/OND PTSD, and PTSD/Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). There are two positions in Family Mental Health. Residents complete a major rotation in the emphasis area and a minor rotation in primary care mental health integration or general mental health. Residents learn to delivery evidence-based psychotherapies including developing personalized treatment plans.

 In the PSR Track, two clinical psychology positions will be available. Residents provide PSR services to Veterans with psychotic disorders on primary and minor rotations in acute care (inpatient), outpatient and community-based programs at the Center of Recovery Education (CORE). Using a recovery model, our programs empower Veterans to develop personalized functioning goals and choose from a menu of treatment program opportunities, including vocational skills development/supportive employment, social skills training, cognitive behavioral therapy for psychosis, illness management and recovery, substance use treatment, and access to vital community resources that support personal goal attainment through assertive community treatment and case management.

In the CMH Track, four clinical psychology positions will be available in 2-year positions that emphasize clinical research as well as the delivery of evidence-based care. There is one position in each of the following four programs: Women’s Mental Health, the VISN-22 Mental Illness Research, Education & Clinical Center (MIRECC), VA Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (CESAMH), and Addiction Treatment. The goal of the CMH track is to train residents to become leading clinical researchers in women’s mental health, psychosis and other major mental illnesses, stress-related disorders, and addiction treatment.

Qualifications: The following are required: 1. U.S. citizenship; 2. Males born after December 31, 1959 must have registered for the draft by age 26; 3. Completion of an APA-accredited doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology and an APA-accredited clinical psychology internship by September 1, 2014. Desirable qualifications include experience using evidence-based interventions, and career goals involving clinical, research, leadership and dissemination activities involving evidence-based practices in university-affiliated or VA or other medical center setting. Recruitment of men and women from diverse social and economic backgrounds and diverse cultural and demographic groups is a high priority. The stipend for all first-year positions is $45,950 plus benefits with co-pay.

Application: Please submit the attached cover sheet, a letter of interest (maximum 2 pages), CV or resume, and 3 letters of recommendation. The letter of interest should include: The track/emphasis area you are applying and why, a brief summary of educational, clinical and research experiences relevant to the specific area of interest, a summary of your training needs and goals for the residency, and a statement of your career goals. Materials should be submitted by email to vafellowship@ucsd.edu. The application deadline is December 15, 2013. Late applications will be considered only for positions that are not filled by applicants who applied by December 15th. Applicants should be available for interview on February 3, 2014. Other interview dates and phone interviews may be possible.

Name:

Email:

Telephone number:

Please include this cover sheet and indicate which track/position you are applying. You must submit separate applications if you are applying for more than one position.

_______             Evidence Based Psychotherapies (EBP) Track

_______             Anxiety

_______             Geropsychology and Home-based Care

_______             Mood Disorders and Suicidality

_______             LGBT Mental Health

_______             OEF/OIF/OND PTSD

_______             PTSD/TBI

_______             Family Mental Health

_______             Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) Track; indicate your discipline for this track only

_______             Psychology

_______             Social Work

_______             Vocational Rehabilitation

_______             Occupational Therapy

_______             Nursing

_______             Psychiatry

_______             Clinical Mental Health (CMH) Track               

_______             Women’s Mental Health

_______             Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) – Psychosis

_______             Center of Excellence for Stress and Mental Health (CESAMH) – Stress-related Disorders

_______             Addiction Treatment

The VA requires that all psychology postdoctoral residents be U.S. citizens who have completed an APA accredited doctoral program and internship. Men from psychology and non-psychology disciplines must have registered for the draft by age 26. Please do not apply if you do not meet these criteria as we will not be able to review your application.

Application Checklist:

________           2-page (max) letter explaining interest and experiences relevant to the position applied

________           Curriculum vitae or resume

________           Three letters of recommendation

Questions related to the program's accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation

American Psychological Association

740 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002

Phone: (202) 336-5979 / Email: apaaccred@apa.org

Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation