Rehabilitation Psychology Fellowship

The Department of Rehabilitation Medicine offers two clinical Rehabilitation Psychology fellowships. These fellowships focus on patient care at the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) and Harborview Medical Center (HMC).

The clinical postdoctoral fellowships in rehabilitation psychology at the University of Washington School of Medicine are designed to develop psychologists who ascribe to the scientist-practitioner model and who are competent in working with various rehabilitation medicine patient populations. The most common types of patients served include those with traumatic brain injuries, cerebral vascular accidents, spinal cord injuries, severe burn injuries, chronic disease such as multiple sclerosis, physical traumas such as that occurring after motor vehicle accidents, and chronic pain.

Accreditation Status:

The Rehabilitation Psychology Fellowship is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association. The next site visit for our program is in 2023. Questions related to the program's accreditation status only should be directed to the Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 1st Street NE, Washington, DC, 20002. Ph: (202) 336-5979. Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation.

Addmissions, Support, and Initial Placement

Program Disclosures

The ideal candidate

The clinical postdoctoral fellowships in rehabilitation psychology at the University of Washington School of Medicine are designed to develop psychologists who ascribe to the scientist-practitioner model and who are competent in working with various rehabilitation medicine patient populations. The ideal candidate has demonstrated strengths in clinical work, research productivity, and academic background. We also prefer candidates with interest and experience in working with complex populations in an interdisciplinary setting.

Required minimum criteria

Eligible candidate must have:

• Completed a doctoral degree in Clinical or Counseling Psychology and a psychology internship from APA-accredited programs
• Applicants must also receive their doctoral degree before beginning the fellowship program
• Ideally applicants will have experience in the provision of psychological services with rehabilitation populations, research experience with professional presentations and publications, and activity in national professional organizations.

Financial and other benefit support for upcoming training year*

Initial Post-Residency Positions

(Aggregated tally for the preceding 3 cohorts)

Note: “PD” = Post-doctoral residency position; “EP” = Employed Position. Each individual represented in this table should be counted only one time. For former trainees working in more than one setting, select the setting that represents their primary position.

Applying

Application Process:

1. Applicants must have completed a PhD/PsyD program in Clinical or Counseling Psychology from an APA-accredited program and an APA-accredited clinical internship.
2. Applicants should be interested in and experienced with clinical assessment and treatment of rehabilitation populations.
3. Applicants should have the desire to work in a multidisciplinary team environment.
4. All requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed before entry into the fellowship program.
5. Persons with a PhD/PsyD in another area of psychology who meet the APA criteria for re-specialization training in Clinical or Counseling Psychology are also eligible.
6. As an equal opportunity training program, the fellowship welcomes and strongly encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation, disability or other minority status.
7. Materials for application include:
   1. Curriculum Vita
   2. Letter of interest detailing career and training goals
   3. Three letters of recommendation
8. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis and the top candidates will be offered interviews (either in person or by video conferencing, applicant’s choice) on an ongoing basis until the postions are filled. This program adheres to the APPIC Selection Process Guidelines, including the Common Hold Date. This program is not using the APPA CAS system for applications.

Application materials may be sent to:

Jeffrey J. Sherman, Ph.D., Program Director c/o Victoria Vassall 325 Ninth Ave Box 359612 Seattle, WA 98104

Phone: 206.543.3509 Email: vassall@uw.edu

Training Model, Mission, & Goals

Training Model

Rehabilitation psychologists at the Harborview Medical Center (HMC) and University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC) provide psychological care for patients on the inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation medicine services and consultation for inpatients on nearly every unit in both hospitals through the Rehabilitation Psychology Consult services at their respective hospitals. These units include burns, pediatrics, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, neurology, general medicine and intensive care units. Consequently, fellows are exposed to a wide variety of rehabilitation psychology assessment, treatment and consultation and learn to work with interdisciplinary medical teams in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

We believe that sound clinical practice is based on scientific research and empirical support. As such, we ascribe to the scientist-practitioner model of training and encourage our fellows to engage in research and scholarly activities as well as sound clinical practice.

Mission

The Mission of the Rehabilitation Psychology Fellowship Program is to produce psychologists with advanced competency in Rehabilitation Psychology and prepared for professional psychology positions particularly in academic, medical and hospital based settings.

The program accomplishes its Mission via an organized sequence of didactic and experiential training activities with focused supervision whereby fellows develop competencies in the area of Rehabilitation Psychology.

Program Goals

The goal of the postdoctoral training program is to develop fellow competencies as applied to the specialized populations, problems and procedures that define the specialty of Rehabilitation Psychology. These competencies include:

1. Assessment
2. Intervention
3. Consultation
4. Research and Evaluation
5. Supervision and Teaching
6. Management and Administration

Fellows work with patients with: catastrophic injury or illness, such as spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, burn injury, stroke, amputation, and multiple trauma resulting in permanent change; chronically disabling conditions, such as progressive or static neurological disorders, chronic pain, orthopedic and musculoskeletal problems; and other major injury or illness requiring prolonged or complicated hospitalization and recovery with concomitant disability.

Program Resources

The postdoctoral training experiences will be based primarily at Harborview Medical Center (HMC) and the University of Washington Medical Center (UWMC). The rehabilitation medicine patient populations at the University of Washington Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center often represent the most severe and complex cases due to their distinctions as regional trauma and medical centers, drawing from patient populations in a five-state region (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho).

Postdoctoral fellows will have an opportunity to provide consultation to various departments within the medical system including Rehabilitation Medicine, Burn Services, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Surgery, Orthopaedics, Chronic Pain, Occupational Medicine, and Psychiatry. In addition, fellows will have an opportunity to provide consultation to community agencies such as the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

Postdoctoral Fellows are assigned offices equipped with networked computers that allow access to the computerized medical record system, word processing, internet/intranet, and email. The Rehabilitation Psychology Fellowship is integrated into the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, which provides administrative support for the training programs.

Fellows are entitled to staff privileges at the University, including use of the library, computer centers, an e-mail account, athletic facilities, and reduced prices on tickets for some sports and cultural activities. There are computers with email and Internet access at all training sites. Fellows can also access patient information on our electronic charting systems from home computers.

Policies & Procedures

Supervision

Fellows will receive a minimum of two hours per week of individual supervision by a licensed psychologist on the faculty. Fellows will also participate in case-oriented group supervision one hour per week, and case-oriented neuropsychological supervision one hour per week. Fellows will have at least two supervisors during the training year. Supervision of and collaboration in research projects will be arranged and provided on an as needed basis. Fellows will also have the opportunity to interact with clinical and adjunct faculty from the Seattle community.

Evaluation

The evaluation of a postdoctoral fellow’s progress and the postdoctoral fellow’s evaluation of the program are an integral part of the overall training experience. Fellows are involved in the development of their specific training activities and assignments. The training and performance requirements and expectations of the fellows are discussed during the first week of training. Fellows are informally evaluated and provided with feedback on a constant basis throughout the year.

Formal evaluations by supervisors are completed every six months. The fellows will have an opportunity to formally evaluate the program at the end of twelve months, although informal feedback will be solicited throughout the training experience. An annual program review is conducted to discuss and evaluate the training program components, to review postdoctoral fellows’ comments, and to implement changes for future training.

The core teaching faculty assumes responsibility for evaluating the fellow’s progress to assure that expectations are being satisfactorily met. If areas of weakness are present, they are discussed with the fellow, and a step-by-step remediation plan is developed. If necessary, a probationary period may be established, after which progress in the program will be formally evaluated every two months. Copies of evaluation forms and grievance procedures are made available to fellows at the start of the fellowship, and are contained in the Orientation and Reference Manual.

Professional Liability Coverage

Professional liability coverage is provided by the University of Washington Fellow Non-ACGMEs at no cost. Coverage details are outlined in the Liability Coverage Terms and Conditions. This insurance covers Fellow Non- ACGME good faith performance of duties assigned in the training program. Professional liability coverage is not provided by the University of Washington for external moonlighting activities, as these activities are outside the scope of the training program.

Outside Professional Activities

The University of Washington School of Medicine strongly discourages professional activities outside the educational program for its fellows, believing that the time and effort required for training are incompatible with outside professional work. If a fellow desires to pursue professional activities for pay outside the educational program, they may not do so in the areas for which they are receiving training (i.e. clinical psychology, neuropsychology, psychotherapy, psychometry).

Outside professional activities must not interfere in any way with the educational experience, performance, or responsibilities of a fellow. Professional liability coverage does not extend to activities performed outside the scope of the educational program, and medical liability protection is not provided for any professional activities outside the scope of the educational program. Violation of the outside professional guideline will result in review by the training faculty and possible termination.

Affirmative Action

The University of Washington does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, national origin, or physical handicap. We provide equal opportunity and nondiscrimination in hiring and recruitment. Persons of minority group status, women, Vietnam era and disabled veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply to the fellowship. Any discriminatory action by the University faculty or staff may be cause for disciplinary action.

The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EOAA) supports the University’s compliance with the law and spirit of equal opportunity and affirmative action as it relates to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam-era veteran, or other protected veterans. Further information regarding these policies and statutes may be obtained through the University of Washington Equal Opportunity Office website.

Requirements for completion

Postdoctoral fellows spend approximately 80% of their time engaged in direct clinical services, while the remaining time is available for various scholarly activities and research activities. As part of the research component, postdoctoral fellows will have opportunities to complete independent reviews of the literature, design and carry out independent research projects, work on collaborative interdisciplinary projects with faculty, write research grants, prepare scientific manuscripts, and present papers at professional meetings. At a minimum, fellows are expected to present the outcome of their scholarly activity at our local journal club. Fellows are encouraged and provided support to present their research at local, regional and national scientific meetings.

As part of the clinical component, postdoctoral fellows will receive training in both inpatient and outpatient settings with various rehabilitation populations, problems and procedures. Fellows will learn the role and function of neuropsychologists and psychologists in the rehabilitation medicine setting, as a consultant, as well as a treatment team member. Fellows will receive specific training in the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological, neuropsychological and emotional factors impacting on the rehabilitation process. In addition to hands-on clinical training experiences, fellows will be provided with training opportunities through participation in didactic seminars, research seminars, journal club, rounds, group and individual supervision.

In order to successfully complete this fellowship, fellows must demonstrate successful acquisition of advanced competencies in Rehabilitation Psychology including assessment, intervention, consultation, research and evaluation, supervision and teaching, and management and administration. The minimal levels of achievement for our fellows to maintain good standing and to progress satisfactorily through and complete the program are ratings of “A” (Advanced), “HI” (High Intermediate), or “I” Intermediate, for no less than 80% of ratings by the mid-fellowship evaluation as measured by the Fellowship Competency Assessment Form. In addition, by the end of fellowship evaluation, no “E” (Entry Level), “R” (Remedial) or “I” (Intermediate) ratings will be present.

Stipends & benefits

The salary amount is determined by the current NRSA stipend schedule for your level of experience. This amount may be modified upward when the schedule is updated and/or when you reach another level. This is a 100% full time, 12-month appointment.

Major medical insurance, dental insurance, basic life insurance are provided to fellows and their dependents. Supplemental life insurance and disability insurance are also available. Details of the benefits package may be found on the website of the Office of Benefits and Worklife.

The fellowships have a 2-year clinical payback agreement with the US Department of Education. Fellows may meet this payback requirement by working in a nonprofit rehabilitation medicine setting, or by being listed as a vendor for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for whatever state they practice in.

Life in Seattle

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