Neuropsychology Central

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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS ADVANCED ALLIED HEALTH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM IN MENTAL ILLNESS RESEARCH AND TREATMENT

MCGUIRE VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER, RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

The McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center (RVAMC) in Richmond, Virginia, has been awarded funding for a Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) psychology fellowship training program focusing on post-deployment mental health. As a participating MIRECC site in VISN 6 there are active research protocols in areas investigating neuropsychiatric sequelae associated with OEF/OIF military deployment including, TBI and PTSD, among others. There are manifold possibilities for research collaboration with other on-site centers, as for instance the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC), and chances to meaningfully interface with psychology and psychiatry departments at our academic affiliate, Virginia Commonwealth University. Supervised clinical activities are available on one of the Level I Polytrauma Rehabilitation Centers and also through a spectrum of programs in the Mental Health Service.

This MIRECC psychology fellowship program aims to train allied health professionals to become outstanding clinical researchers in high priority areas of mental health. Individualized, mentored research and clinical training is combined with a state-of-the-art curriculum that emphasizes research methods, statistics, epidemiology, mental health systems, quality improvement methods, education, and service delivery. Fellowship sites are linked electronically for didactic, academic, and research efforts. Fellows devote 75% of their time to research and education activities and 25% to clinical training. In collaboration with their mentors, Fellows will develop and implement a research project, publish and present findings, participate in grant writing, and utilize the latest technology for educational activities and clinical service delivery. Psychology applicants must have obtained a doctorate from an APA accredited program in clinical or counseling psychology, and completed an APA accredited internship in clinical or counseling psychology or from one of the new VAMC sponsored internships. Allied Health applicants must have completed all degree requirements and meet all VAMC hiring and credentialing requirements for their field. Fellows must be U.S. citizens. The VA funds each Fellow’s stipend beginning at approximately $41,600.00 per year, with yearly increases.

The MIRECC psychology fellowship is managed by the Psychology Section of the Mental Health Service. It is anticipated that the fellow will begin between July 1st and Sept 1st, 2009. To apply for this fellowship, contact the Director of Psychology Fellowship Training: Treven Pickett, PsyD, ABPP, at the RVAMC (804) 675-5106, or Treven.Pickett@va.gov
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Ernest J. Bordini, Ph.D.
Editor/Administrator
http://www.NeuropsychologyCentral.COM

Executive Director
Clinical Psychology Associates of North Central Florida
http://www.cpancf.com
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(352) 336-2888

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The purpose of the MIRECC Special Fellowship in Advanced Psychology is to train professional psychologists for eventual leadership roles in research, education, and clinical services, particularly in academic and medical care settings. Although many Fellows pursue careers focused predominantly upon academic research and education in mental health, successful graduates of the program also will include those who pursue leadership careers that emphasize education and clinical contributions in the field of mental health.

By the end of the Fellowship Program, Fellows pursuing academic clinical-research careers should be ready to submit applications for career development awards. Fellows should also be ready to pursue entry-level leadership roles, which integrate state-of-the-art research, education, and clinical approaches to mental health in the VA healthcare system and other academic institutions.