Hello listserve,
Below you will find the announcment for our Palliative Care
Fellowship here at the South Texas Veteran's Health Care System
located in San Antonio, TX. We are excited to announce that this year
we have received funding for an additional position and will have 2
slots available for trainees. If you have any questions please feel
free to contact me as well.
Clinical Psychology Post-Doctoral Residency
with an emphasis in Palliative Care
The Psychology Service at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System
(STVHCS) is seeking to fill 2 positions for an APA-Accredited
Post-Doctoral Residency in Clinical Psychology, with an emphasis in
Palliative Care. The STVHCS Clinical Residency is fully accredited by
the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological
Association.
Residency Description: The Palliative Care Post-Doctoral Residency
program aims to train the selected resident in a new field in
psychology, treating patients with end-of-life issues or with severe
chronic medical conditions. Historically, the purpose of palliative
care is to provide "comfort care" to patients with a terminal illness.
However, palliative care psychology has expanded its reach to include
primary prevention of disease, disease management, services for those
in advanced illness, care for the actively dying, caregiver support ,
and bereavement.
Residents working in palliative care have opportunities to provide
services on an interprofessional team in a variety of settings,
including inpatient hospice, outpatient palliative care service,
consultation services throughout the hospital, geriatric medicine, and
within the community living center. Additionally, they are offered the
opportunity to provide preventative care and disease management
services in a variety of settings, including such places as primary
care clinics, geriatrics extended care, and the spinal cord injury
unit. Interdisciplinary teams in palliative care include nurses,
physicians, chaplains, physical therapists, occupational therapists,
recreational therapists, social workers, dietitians, and pharmacists.
Services provided in palliative care include, but are not limited to,
the following: individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy,
neuropsychological testing, bereavement counseling, relaxation
therapy, pain management services, consultation with other providers,
and psychoeducational presentations. The resident will also be given
the freedom to choose a minor specialization area outside of
palliative care psychology. Prior residents have specialized in areas
such as behavioral medicine, geropsychology, and trauma psychology.
The trainee will complete an administrative and a research project
with a special focus on Palliative care, in line with their emphasis
area.
In addition to the specific curriculum training above, the resident
will have the unique opportunity to be trained in conjunction with
fellows of other disciplines. This position is a part of a larger
Interprofessional Palliative Fellowship program
(http://medicine.uthscsa.edu/Geriatrics/interprof.aspx) which includes
learners from medicine, nursing, social work, chaplaincy, as well as
psychology. The interdisciplinary program is well established and
includes interdisciplinary didactics and specialized training in
ethics. As a result of this program, there are also numerous unique
opportunities for collaborative research and administrative projects.
Benefits and Stipend: Salary is $42,239 (no state income tax in Texas)
paid biweekly, with health and life insurance available. Annual Leave
(vacation) and Sick Leave are also benefits for Fellows. The STVHCS is
an equal opportunity employer and minority applicants are encouraged
to apply.
.
Residency Qualifications: Applicants must be citizens of the United
States, have earned their doctorate in Clinical or Counseling
Psychology from an APA-accredited program, and successfully completed
an APA-accredited internship. We are looking for highly motivated and
independent trainees who are clinically flexible and enjoy working
collaboratively with other members of a multidisciplinary team.
Application Process: Please refer to our training website
(http://www.southtexas.va.gov/psychology/index.asp) for more
information on the residency program, application process, and
frequently asked questions. Initial review of applications will begin
February 21, 2013 with selection date being made any time after that.
In-person interviews are preferred; however we can make arrangements
for phone interviews if necessary. Start date for the residency will
be early-mid July/August 2013, and can be negotiable.
Applicants should email the following (in 1 file other than the
letters of reference which should be emailed separately) to Dr.
Mata-Galán (Emma.Mata-Galan@va.gov): Paper copies will not be
accepted.
1. A cover letter stating training, research, and career goals.
2. A current vita including anticipated graduation date.
3. Abstract of dissertation (no more than 1page)
4. Three letters of recommendation from the following:
1. internship training director discussing progress and anticipated
completion date
2. dissertation chair discussing progress and estimating the final
dissertation defense date
3. current intern supervisor or someone knowledgeable about your clinical work
For additional information, please contact the Training Director, Emma
L. Mata-Galán, PsyD., at 210-617-5121 or by email at
Emma.Mata-Galan@va.gov
Thank you,
Veronica L. Shead, Ph.D
Clinical Psychologist
Geriatrics Extended Care/Palliative Care
Preceptor-Geropsychology Intern and Palliative Care Fellow
South Texas Veterans Health Care System
