PSPC Internship Manual 2017-2018 | 1
PUGET SOUND PSYCHIATRIC CENTER
Doctoral Psychology Internship Manual
2017-2018
10634 East Riverside Drive Ste 130 B
Bothell, WA 98011
(425) 806-5021
(425) 486-3949 (fax)
**This manual is subject to change and is updated often, most recent revision October 2017
Table of Contents
Mission Statement for PSPC Doctoral Psychology Internship Program 4
Introduction 4
Training Model and Underlying Values 5
Ethical Responsibilities 6
Emphasis on Diversity 6
Integrative Health Care 7
Training Aims, Objectives, and Competencies 8
Training Outline 15
Direct Service Activities 15
Supervision 16
Didactic Schedule: 17
Other Training Activities 18
Training Policies and Procedures 18
Intern Recruitment and Selection Policy 18
Eligibility 18
Recruitment Process and Procedures 19
Diversity and Non-Discrimination Statement 20
Hours, Stipend, Vacation, & Facilities 20
Faculty/Supervisors: 21
Evaluation Process 21
Remediation, Dismissal and Due Process Policy: 22
Disciplinary Actions: 23
Disciplinary Procedures: 23
Grievance Procedure: 26
Termination Policy 27
Guidelines for Early Termination of Internship 27
Requests by Interns: 27
Requests by Site: 27
Guidelines for Intern Dismissal from Internship 28
Sexual Misconduct Policies 28
Requirements for Completion 29
Your Future 29
Appendix A: Copy of Written Evaluation Forms 31
Mission Statement for PSPC Doctoral Psychology Internship Program
Our mission in the Puget Sound Psychiatric Center (PSPC) Internship Program is to train competent licensed psychologists and applied researchers, who will be qualified to make meaningful contributions to the field. We support the idea that training for Clinical Psychology should include the integration of psychological science and practice in order to facilitate human development and functioning.
Our goal is to provide the highest quality training for interns in a supportive and stimulating, independent and multi-disciplinary outpatient clinic environment. To achieve this goal, our program seeks to provide relevant, meaningful, challenging and engaging training opportunities under the close supervision of passionate and talented faculty.
Introduction
Puget Sound Psychiatric Center (PSPC) Internship Program offers a comprehensive training experience in clinical psychology. Our training program offers internship training within our outpatient clinic. The full-time Internship will generally begin on July 1 and end on June 30.
PSPC, established as a private entity in 2002, provides psychiatric and psychological treatment and services, which includes medication management, psychotherapy, assessment, educational programs. PSPC also engages in clinical research through a sister institution called Pacific Institute of Medical Sciences. In 2013, PSPC established a Psychiatric Residency program and has worked towards the American Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) institutional accreditation. Along with the combined services that are based on a “system of care” philosophy dedicated to provide multi-system solutions in the mental health field, PSPC has established itself as an independent institution dedicated to train future clinicians in the field. PSPC provides training for psychiatric interns, physician assistant and nurse-practitioner students as well as interns and fellows of clinical psychology.
We envision our interns as critical thinkers in today’s modern and dynamic era of mental health field. We are dedicated to equipping our interns with the comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge that encompasses the biological, psychological and social perspective while treating the patients with behavioral and emotional issues. We intend to cultivate the research interest in our interns and to prepare them for effective critique of the published research.
We believe that each intern brings with them unique set of strengths and viewpoints and our program gets stronger by valuing a diversity of opinions and interests. With this in mind, we seek to continually refining the program to meet the educational needs of our interns.
To obatain more information about our training program, please explore our website www.pspctraining.org.
Training Model and Underlying Values
Puget Sound Psychiatric Center (PSPC) Internship Program offers a comprehensive training experience to prepare students for the integrated field of Clinical Psychology. Our staff values our training program and makes training activities a high priority. Our intrinsic goal is the development of ethical, competent psychologists trained in the Scientist-Practitioner model, who respect human diversity and contribute to their communities and the field of psychology. Our educational focus is preparation in the applied practice of clinical psychology based on the body of scientific knowledge and scientific principles of our profession. Our primary mode of training is “learning by doing.” Consequently, we provide an array of training seminars, training supervisors, and training experiences with a practical, experiential approach. To the extent possible, we use the naturally occurring events within our program as opportunities for training. We are also committed to assisting interns in identifying, testing, and refining “best practices” in psychology with respect to empirically supported approaches. Weighing the interpersonal, familial, cultural, regional, economic and social influences that impact a person’s life helps us gain a greater understanding of the diversity of our community. This process facilitates a match between “best practices” and the specific needs of the individual. Through this process, our internship program seeks to facilitate a transition for the intern from student to professional.
PSPC’s clinical practice captures a broad range of perspectives in psychopathology, assessment, intervention, and research to meet the full complexity of psychological life in society. Therefore, the internship program’s approach to treatment is integrative; a wide variety of psychological approaches, (CBT, EMDR, person-centered, psychodynamic, etc.), to meet the patient’s needs. Interns work to deepen their skills by exploring theory and interventions from multiple perspectives, rather than pursuing a single-theory orientation of treatment. Overall, PSPC utilize evidence-based information as a key features of case conceptualization, treatment planning and goal development. In PSPC, we are committed to assessing the needs of every patient on an individual basis and then establishing a treatment plan with specific goals. As part of the assessment and intervention process, we have an appreciation for the patient’s individual and cultural differences.
PSPC is not APA accredited. However, we are engaged in the process of preparing a self-study to submit to APA for review by the Commission on Accreditation.
We certify that psychology interns who successfully complete the program accrue a minimum of 2000 hours of clinically-relevant experience and at least 200 hours of supervision during the year (at least 100 hours of individual one on one supervision).
We especially welcome applicants who have a combination of basic clinical skills, strong research interests and potential, and good interpersonal and communication skills that will allow them to flourish in a multidisciplinary environment. Our goal is to provide the highest quality training for interns in a supportive and stimulating independent academic center and multi-disciplinary clinic environment.
Ethical Responsibilities
The rights of interns are protected by PSPC policies regarding Equal Opportunity and clear expectations regarding the right of freedom from Sexual Harassment.
PSPC's Equal Opportunity policy states that,
"PSPC is committed to the principle of equal opportunity for all its students, faculty, employees, and applicants for admission and employment. For that reason, PSPC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran in its programs, organizations, admission practices, and conditions of employment.
PSPC's policy is that all employment decisions are to be based on job qualifications and performance, without discrimination because of an applicant or employee's disability. Further, the institution will make every effort to provide reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified disabled applicants and employees."
PSPC's Sexual Harassment policy states that,
"PSPC's policy is that the work environment should be free from unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. All decisions regarding educational and employment opportunities and performance are to be made on the basis of merit and without discrimination because of sex. Sexual harassment is deemed by PSPC to be a form of sex discrimination; therefore, sexual harassment of PSPC employees and students will constitute a violation of PSPC's nondiscrimination policy."
Moreover, the PSPC Internship Program abides by the APA's Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct in terms of interactions with trainees. Interns are viewed as colleagues in training and are encouraged to inform the Training Director if any deviation from the above standards is experienced. Interns are told how to file a complaint if a problematic situation arises which cannot be resolved informally. Interns are encouraged to inform the program if they are in need of specific accommodations. If interns encounter medical or person problems during their internship year, the program makes reasonable efforts to respond with appropriate adjustments and accommodations.
Emphasis on Diversity
PSPC Internship Program recognizes the importance of cultural and individual differences and diversity in the training of psychologist, therefore has established four basic goals of service related to training, resources, recruitment, and retention in its internship program:
(1) to provide training of interns and faculty on issues of individual and cultural diversity as these relate to theories and methods of assessment, diagnosis, and effective intervention; consultation, supervision, and evaluation; and research methods/design (including ethnic minorities, gender/sexual orientation, physical disabilities, SES, age).
(2) to serve as a resource “hub” of information (clinical and social service resources, research, lectures, and expertise at the PSPC and surrounding community) on diversity issues for everyone involved in the internship, and
(3) to promote the recruitment and retention of diverse interns, faculty, and speakers as well as those interested in diversity issues.
(4) to encourage interns participate on research and didactics on diversity related topics throughout the internship year. Interns work with regular and allied faculty members, as well as representatives from the local community.
The Education Committee will oversee the compliance to these goals.
Integrative Health Care
Puget Sound Psychiatric Center is a multi-disciplinary training institution with psychiatrists and psychologists working collaboratively to provide high quality mental health services. As such, the psychology interns' training involves inter-disciplinary and integrative learning activities. Patients commonly see a psychiatry resident for psychotropic medication (as applicable) while seeing the psychology intern for psychotherapy. The psychology interns therefore has an opportunity to work collaboratively by consulting regularly with the psychiatrist (usually a resident) who does the medication management and provides supportive therapy to their mutual client. This involves learning through experience.
In addition, psychology interns are expected to become involved in at least one of the following PSPC committees.
1) Curriculum And Scholarly Activity (CASA). This committee offers support, guidance and assistance to individual interns and residents seeking to learn more about certain topics (a particular therapy; working with a particular population; etc.). The committee also provides support, guidance and assistance to interns and residents interested in conducting research. For example, if a student wants to develop an investigative study or write up a case study for publication, CASA can be a resource in this endeavor.
2) Guidance, Peer Review and Support (GPRAS). This committee provides feedback, guidance and support to students (interns and residents). The committee is meant to be a resource, not a watch dog. Any feedback is either solicited or given out of caring and genuine concern, not judgment. The peer review process is generally informal. However, the internship director may ask committee members for feedback on how the interns is doing (passive participation; active participation; willingly taking on a leadership role; etc.) as relates to involvement, engagement and contributing in PSPC committees.
3) Professionalism And Team Building (PATB). This committee identifies and implements plans to foster professionalism and team building. Professionalism is fostered within a supportive context. An example is kindly and gently providing feedback to a fellow intern or resident whose attire conveys an informality that might not be perceived by their clients as professional (t shirt or cut offs). On the team building side, recently the committee organized a trip in which those interested went to the tulip festival and had a pot luck dinner afterward. Other activities to foster team building have included a barbecue picnic and (on another occasion) watching a movie together.
4) Health Quality and Safety Committee (HQSC). This committee focuses on how to improve the quality of care to patients.. Each intern and resident is expected to do one quality improvement (QI) project during the year. The QI project might be individual as pertains to their own practice during internship or a team endeavor as pertains to QI at PSPC. The QI project involves planning, implementation, then writing a report on the project, ideally in publishable form. Safety aspects might include how to maintain HIPPA compliance, developing a plan to address a safety plan as relates to an identified risk to the safety of patients and/or staff.
In addition, each psychology intern will sit in and observe a psychiatry intake as well as a psychiatry follow up session. The goal here is to learn how psychiatrists think and approach their work. To enrich this experience, interns will be encouraged to read HOW TO THINK LIKE A PSYCHIATRIST and/or other relevant resources so as to increase their knowledge, understanding and skills in working collaboratively with psychiatrists.
"Didactics" are generally on Fridays at PSPC. Particularly relevant for psychology interns are the 8:00am reading group and the 9:00am DSM-5 didactics, in both of which the psychology interns will participate with the psychiatry residents.
The above are required. To go above and beyond, each intern will be encouraged to ask her/him self,
"What do I want to learn about working in integrative health care?"
"What might I do to learn what I want to learn?"
"How might my learning (achievement of the goal) be measured?"
The world is your oyster. Come up with a proposal. Run it by the internship training director. Make it happen!
Training Aims, Objectives, and Competencies
Training at PSPC provides interns with preparation for professional practice. PSPC is in the process of preparing to apply for APA accreditation. Therefore the training Aims and Competencies reflect the requirements specified in the APA Standards of Accreditation. To gain a more in depth understanding of these standards, interns and faculty may consult an additional APA publication, Implementing Regulations.
The major aims reflect the main values including clinical excellence, research, ethics, service, and diversity. These values are reflected in nine core competencies which are evaluated by the supervisors throughout the year. The nine competencies include Research, Ethical and Legal Standards, Individual and Cultural Diversity, Professional Values, Attitudes and Behaviors, Communication and Inter-Professional Skills, Assessment, Intervention, Supervision, and Consultation, Interpersonal, and Interdisciplinary Skills.