Updated September 23, 2024
a consultation-liaison framework. It is expected that the intern will fulfill the behavioral health needs of the unit through assessment, consultation, treatment, and the use of appropriate referrals. Longer-term outpatient work is also available, as are opportunities for staff in-service training. The concepts and strategies learned are not unique to the treatment of SCI/D patients, but can be generalized to other medical populations. It is not expected or necessary for trainees to have specific interest in SCI/D per se. Because many job openings for psychologists now require some background working with physicians and medical teams, this rotation is especially useful for interns seeking to enhance their marketability in that area. Assessment Opportunities: Flexible-battery neuropsychological testing for a variety of referral questions, including establishing cognitive baseline in aging, diagnostic clarification in cognitive decline, questions of capacity for medical decision-making/independent living, and clarifying strengths and weaknesses to inform treatment planning. Patients are mostly (but not all) older adults, and presenting problems/common diagnoses can include Multiple Sclerosis, Vascular Dementia, Traumatic Brain Injury, psychiatric diagnoses, and cognitive decline related to multiple etiologies. Tests administered are determined on an individual basis, depending on the question and factors unique to the patient (e.g., limited use of hands due to SCI), but include measures of a variety of domains. Please note, this is not an assessment-focused rotation, but there are some opportunities for neuropsychological testing and brief cognitive screening. Assessment opportunities outside the neuropsych clinic in SCI include a structured clinical interview in Annual Evaluation clinic, as well as outcome measures (e.g., Satisfaction with Life Scale) in acute rehab (CIIRP).
EBP Opportunities: CBT, ACT
Group Opportunities: Several opportunities to co-facilitate groups are available and trainees can participate in groups even if they not facilitated by their primary supervisor. These include the ROLLS new injury group for acute rehabilitation patients, a spirituality support group, an adaptive yoga/meditation group, a Women with Disabilities, and an interdisciplinary Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Support Group. Cultural Competence Training: Trainees will be provided with the opportunity to learn about disability through a disability affirmative framework and how to adapt evidence-based treatment approaches in the context of this cultural lens. Trainees will become familiar with special considerations in working with Veterans with spinal cord injury and related conditions and learn how to expand the role of Psychologists to include advocacy and educators in promoting disability affirmative competence in a medical setting. In addition, our SCI population are often dealing with aging and chronic health problems, and trainees will gain competence in understanding the barriers that older adults and people with disabilities face in seeking and receiving treatment, and the ways other identity variables, such as race, religion, sexual orientation, education level, SES, and cognitive status may intersect with aging and disability.
Note: Most responsibilities require the trainee to be on campus for in-person clinical services, although some remote work may be arranged.
35
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter maker