Overview
The VA New York Harbor Healthcare System (VANYHHS) provides services at three campuses in New York City, Brooklyn, Manhattan and St. Albans, Queens and has multiple affiliated Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCS). The VANYHHS Brooklyn Campus, a full service medical center, is affiliated with the State University of NY - Downstate Medical Center.
The Psychology Division is part of an integrated Mental Health Service comprising of a Division of Psychology and a Division of Psychiatry, each headed by a Chief. The Chief of Psychology heads the Psychology Division. The Psychology Division serves the entire NY Harbor Healthcare System, providing consultation, mental and behavioral health services, and neuropsychological and psychological assessment. As an inner city Medical Center, there is a patient population of male and female veterans, their spouses and occasionally children who are from a diverse mix of cultural and religious backgrounds and who represent all ages and socio-economic groups. A large percentage of these are geriatric patients.
A training committee coordinates the geropsychology postdoctoral residency. The committee is composed of the Director of Training for the program and staff supervisory psychologists. Fellows serve in an advisory capacity, meeting at least twice a year with the Training Committee.
Training in Geropsychology
Training in geropsychology has become vital as the general US population ages. The US population age 65 and older is expected to double in size within the next 15 years. By 2030 one in five Americans will be 65 or older with the age group 85+ now the fastest growing segment of the population (US Census Bureau, 2006). Vietnam era veterans accounted for the largest veteran population in 2000 and included nearly one-third of all veterans (8.4 million). World War II veterans made up the next largest group, with 5.7 million people (US Census Bureau, 2000).
There are multiple training sites in the VANYHHS Brooklyn Campus in which older adults receive services including and geriatric primary care medicine, outpatient and inpatient oncology, palliative care, memory disorders clinic, geriatric clinic, neuropsychology clinic, behavioral neuropsychology clinic, and home-based primary care. Due to both the present numbers of older adults seeking services at the VANYHHS and the increased numbers of older adult patients expected as the population ages, these sites offer excellent opportunities for focused and in depth training in geropsychology.
Staff
There are over 18 psychologists on staff at the VANYHHS- Brooklyn Campus and a complement of psychology consultants covering areas including family therapies, diversity issues, case conferences, PTSD, among others.
General Training Opportunities
There are liberal training opportunities for all staff and fellows who regularly access VA conferences, workshops, bi-weekly interdisciplinary behavioral and mental health grand rounds that are chaired by psychology, live video and audio conferences. Specialty training in geriatric issues is varied and includes GRECC conferences, monthly Schwartz rounds developed for in-depth staff self-reflection concerning patient care, and monthly interprofessional seminars. Authorized Absences are granted for attendance at conferences outside the VA.
Facility Support
Fellows share an office space together and also have access to offices at the various sites in which they work. Fellow also have their own computer, phone, and access to statistical packages for research/data analysis. Cars are provided by the VA for travel in the home-based primary care program. There is a full service professional library that offers literature searches and locates difficult to find articles. Extensive computerization offers a full menu of psychological assessment tools that are available to fellows.
Geropsychology Postdoctoral Residency Program Description
Program Mission and Philosophy
The VANYHHS – Brooklyn Campus Postdoctoral Residency Program in Geropsychology program mission is to develop focused and in depth postdoctoral preparation for advanced practice in geropsychology and integrated behavioral healthcare. The program philosophy is based on the Scientist-Practitioner Model and utilizes the Pikes Peak Model for Training in Professional Geropsychology. The program mission is consistent with the VA emphasis on high quality, integrated health care for veterans, their families and caregivers.
Program Goal and Objectives
The fellowship’s overall goal is to prepare ethical and culturally sensitive future leaders in geropsychology with the requisite skills and knowledge to develop, implement, and evaluate provision of psychological services in hospital and other settings, specifically within interprofessional teams. Toward this end, we embrace a competency-based training model that incorporates the following.
Postdoctoral fellows are expected to demonstrate, by the end of the training year, advanced level competency in the following areas:
Core postdoctoral knowledge, skills and abilities:
psychological assessment, diagnosis, and intervention
consultation, program evaluation, supervision, and/or teaching
strategies for scholarly inquiry
organization, management, and administration issues pertinent to psychological service delivery and practice, training, and research
professional conduct, ethics and law, and other standards for providers of psychological services
issues of cultural and individual diversity that are relevant to all of the above
Additional geropsychology knowledge, skills and abilities:
By the end of the training year our fellows obtain advanced geropsychology knowledge, skills and abilities using selected competencies from the aspirational Pikes Peak Model for Training in Professional Geropsychology (2009). The program also utilizes training philosophy from the following documents: The American Psychological Association Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Older Adults (2013), the American Psychological Association Guidelines for the Evaluation of Dementia and Age-related Cognitive Change (2010) and the APA Blueprint for Change: Achieving Integrated Health Care For An Aging Population (2008). In preparing fellows for advanced practice in geropsychology we offer a broad range of experiences with older adults. The core postdoctoral and geropsychology competencies are developed in a variety of settings including primary care geriatric clinic, memory disorders clinic, medical oncology, palliative care and home-based primary care. There is an emphasis on scholarly and evidence-based practice and value-added, outcome-based contributions to the field.
Goal #1: Prepare fellows for professional practice in geropsychology within current trends in health care and with a commitment toward lifelong learning.
Objectives for Goal #1:
Postdoctoral fellows will develop advanced level knowledge and skills with older adults (psychological assessment, diagnosis, evidence based clinical interventions, consultation, and program development) and apply such to comprehensive integrated healthcare. Develop advanced knowledge and skills in diversity among older adult cohort groups, including health status, and multicultural competence with older adults and their families/significant others and caregivers. Develop advanced knowledge of ethics and legal issues specific to older adults. Understand learning in geropsychology as a lifelong process.
Postdoctoral fellows will develop knowledge and skills in evidenced-based treatments for older adults and their families including treatment for geriatric depression, late life anxiety, dementia, caregiver support and insomnia. Development of leadership skills and abilities in working collaboratively within an interprofessional team approach to treatment planning for older adults.
Goal #2: Provide opportunities for fellows to engage in scholarly activity, including the critical evaluation of research and dissemination of emprically based knowledge in geropsychology through clinical, educational, and/or scholarly activities.
Objectives for Goal #2:
Postdoctoral fellows will learn how to apply advanced knowledge and skills to deliver psychological services, including training and research, that is both ethical and culturally sensitive, as well as relevant to current trends in health care.
Fellows will develop competency in supervision and training of psychology externs, interns and medical students.
Goal #3: Develop advanced knowledge and skills in the assessment of dementia and neuropsychological functioning, including cognitive/memory skills training interventions for the older adult population.
Objectives for Goal #3:
Fellows will develop advanced knowledge and skills in neuropsychological and psychological assessment of older adults, including test selection, the applicability of age/race/education norms, clinical formulation, report writing, and feedback to the interprofessional team, patient, and families/significant others/caregiver.
Fellows will develop advanced knowledge and skills in implementing techniques to enhance cognitive fitness and improve quality of life for older adult patients, their families/significant others and caregivers using individual and group interventions.
Goal #4: Provide knowledge and skill in professional practice issues, such as Medicare regulations, documentation, billing and coding procedures and advocacy skills for the field of geropsychology.
Objective(s) for Goal #4:
Demonstrate awareness and understanding of Medicare and Medicaid and other insurance models; develop skills in applying regulatory issues to practice in documentation and coding.
Learn the importance of leadership regarding advocacy for the pragmatic and policy issues concerning practice in geropsychology.
Training in Evidenced-Based Treatments
Evidenced-based treatments are taught to fellows whenever available. Postdoctoral fellows will develop competencies in the following evidenced-based treatments for older adults and their families including treatment for geriatric depression, late life anxiety, dementia, caregiver support and insomnia. Evidenced-based care, best practices and other common late-life interventions will be taught in a didactic seminar on geriatrics by psychologists and medical staff in geriatric specialty areas (hematology/oncology, palliative care, geriatric psychiatry), and in individual and group supervisions by psychology staff.
Fellowship Rotations and Clinic Assignments
Fellows are provided with a full year in one of the following rotations:
1) Oncology/Palliative Care- Fellows provide triage, assessment and mental and behavioral health interventions in oncology and palliative care with acute inpatients, outpatient oncology, and chemotherapy and radiation therapy clinics. Psychology fellows will participate in an interprofessional team with attending physicians, medical residents and fellows, nurses, social workers, chaplains and chaplain fellows, dietary staff and patient volunteers.
Fellows participate in and learn all aspects of health care in oncology including:
medical rounds with the attending staff and residents on the oncology and palliative care teams;
support of medical treatment and provide information, assistance and when needed;
brief neuropsychological assessment and succinct, timely feedback to the team;
capacity evaluation;
interprofessional collaboration;
brief health and behavior interventions, cancer support group, pain management group, end-of-life care; bereavement;
program development and outcome evaluation.
2) Primary Care Geriatric Clinic – Fellows will be involved in a comprehensive Geriatric Primary Care Clinic that attends to the medical, psychological and social needs of geriatric patients with complex medical and psychosocial needs. The postdoctoral trainee will work in a truly integrated manner in the clinic and with the interprofessional team, including attending physician, medical students, social work, pharmacy, dietary, psychiatry and other support services. Fellows work in a truly integrated manner using the model put forth in American Psychological Association's Blueprint for Change: Achieving Integrated Healthcare for an Aging Population (2008). The clinic staff and trainees from various disciplines meet weekly for a journal club during which each discipline picks and leads a discussion on a timely topic. In addition, there is a weekly interdisciplinary case conference during which complex cases are presented for in-depth discussion.
Fellows learn about and participate in providing the following services:
same-day cognitive and emotional screening, quick consultation
individual and group health and behavior interventions
neuropsychological assessment, interventions and feedback including assessments for questions related to dementia, capacity, non-compliance, high-utilization of services
health and wellness groups, cognitive remediation groups, caregiver support
short-term evidence-based psychotherapy
psychology follow-up of geriatric primary care clinic patients who are hospitalized for continuity and coordination of care
program development and outcome evaluation
Each major rotation is supplemented by the following:
Geriatric Mental Hygiene Clinic- Fellows develop an EBP outpatient caseload of older adults and their family members in need of mental health services via direct observation and demonstration by staff and audio tape supervision.
Research – Fellows are encouraged to develop and participate in research, professional papers and presentations.
Elective experiences include:
Home-Based Primary Care (HBPC)– Fellows learn assessment, mental and behavioral treatment for older adults and their families/caregivers by going to the patient's home to provide services. Consultation to the interprofessional home-based primary care team occurs in team meetings and informal communication.
Supervision
At least one supervisor is always on site and most often multiple supervisors will be on site and available for any immediate crises or issues that arise with patients. Fellows are provided with a minimum of two hours of individual supervision with psychology staff specializing in treatment of older adults. Psychology supervisory staff will co-lead, role-model and demonstrate intervention, assessment and consultation techniques with older adult patients in all assigned areas of service delivery. In addition, psychology staff maintains an open door policy and fellows can request additional supervision/consultation and/or brief clinical discussions at any time. Interprofessional huddles occur often in order to coordinate treatment and discuss developments with patients in clinical work areas.
Seminars
Weekly didactic seminars:
Geropsychology issues and evidence-based psychotherapy (EBP) – This seminar covers EBP didactic and training, supervision of supervision, ethics and general topics in clinical geropsychology. It meets for 1.5 hours
Interprofessional collaboration with chaplaincy – This seminar focuses on a VA grant aimed at having psychology fellows learn more about religion/spirituality in health care and having chaplain fellows learn more about mental health. Case discussion is included to highlight interprofessional collaboration.
Interdisciplinary geriatric team journal club: Fellows participate in a weekly journal club with the geriatric primary care team. Participants include medical students, residents and fellows, attending physician, psychiatrist, pharmacist, social worker, psychology residents and supervisors. Medical students present journal articles on topics related to medical issues in geriatric populations and psychology fellows present once a month on topics related to neuropsychological and psychological aspects of working with older adults in a medical setting. The journal club has been enthusiastically attended by all and has fostered an increasing interest in psychology/neuropsychology by medical students, residents and fellows.
Monthly seminars:
Interprofessional seminar in primary care – This seminar includes staff and trainees from medicine, nursing, psychology, social work, mental health chaplaincy and neuropsychology. The focus is on interactive discussion about health care systems delivery, medical illnesses and collaborative care. Seminar topics are led by 2 disciplines and rotate each meeting.
Schwartz rounds – This seminar is open to all staff and trainees in health care and is a case presentation of a patient/family that evoked strong reactions or ethical dilemmas amongst the treating team. The main focus is on the staff and trainees processing their reactions and emotional experiences related to the case.
Other didactics:
VA webinars and in-person conferences and learning opportunities relevant to current fellow cases or training needs are assigned on a regular basis. Examples include watching a webinar on VA education and research on topics in clinical geropsychology or being assigned a training module in an EBP to enhance learning in of the same in supervision and seminars.
Salary and Benefits
The one year fellowship begins September, 2015 with a stipend of $47,626.
Benefits include 13 days annual leave, up to 13 days sick leave, 5 authorized absences for professional development and health insurance.
Faculty and Consultants
Chief of Psychology and Director of Training
Marc Goloff, Ph.D., ABPP, New York University, 1985
Clinical Psychologist; Director of Psychological Services in Primary Care
Clinical Instructor, NYU School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry
Clinical activities: Evaluation and short-term cognitive behavioral therapy for primary care and pain management patients; use of specialized interventions such as biofeedback and hypnosis
Research interests: Psychological aspects of chronic pain
Director of Training-Clinical Geropsychology Postdoctoral Residency
Donna Rasin-Waters, Ph.D., Long Island University, 1991
Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist
Post Doctoral Certification, Fielding Institute, Neuropsychology
Past President, New York State Psychological Association
Clinical activities: Neuropsychological assessment; geropsychology; psycho-oncology; health psychology; evidence-based psychotherapy with older adults; LEAN technology; telehealth
Research and writing interests: Health care delivery systems; integrated health care; dementia and delirium continuum; advocacy in psychology; aging policy; Medicare regulations
Supervisory Staff
Valerie Abel, PsyD, Yeshiva University, 1997
Clinical Psychologist and Neuropsychologist
Post Doctoral Certification, Fielding Institute, Neuropsychology
ASCH certification in clinical hypnosis
Clinical Activities: Neuropsychological assessment, geropsychology, health psychology in oncology, palliative care and long-term care
Research Interests: Aging, caregiver support/interventions
Lauren Fisher, Ph.D., Teachers College, Columbia University, 2012
Home-Based Primary Care Psychologist (Brooklyn and St. Albans)
Clinical activities: Geropsychology; assessment of neurocognitive functioning and capacity/competency; evidence-based psychotherapy with older adults; caregiver support
Research and writing interests: LGBT aging, sexual and gender identity microaggressions in the workplace, sexual orientation disclosure in the workplace
Sarah Yarry, Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University, 2010
Clinical Psychologist
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Clinical Geropsychology, Palo Alto VA
Clinical Activities: Geropsychology, cognitive assessment, palliative care, home-based care, medical psychology, interdisciplinary team work, long term care
Research Interests: Home-based psychosocial interventions for older adults, readiness to change, intersections of multicultural identities, cognitive rehabilitation in dementia
Consultants to the Postdoctoral Geropsychology Training Program
Cory Chen, Ph.D., University of North Carolina, 2007
Clinical Psychologist/Geropsychologist, Home-based Primary Care
Clinical activities: Evaluation, brief psychotherapy, psycho-education, and psychological and neuropsychological testing with home-bound veterans and family members.
Research interests: Dementia, depression, and caregiving of older adults; treatment interventions for older adults and caregivers.
Tara DeWitt, PhD, Ferkauf Graduate School/Yeshiva University, 2007
Clinical Health Psychologist
VA National MI/MET Consultant
Clinical Activities: Health psychology, motivational interviewing
Research Interests: Chronic disease management, health behavior change
Michelle Kehn, Ph.D., Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, 2009 Clinical Psychologist, Home-based Primary Care -VA NY Campus Clinical activities: Providing neuropsychological and psychological assessment, treatment, and short-term psychotherapy to home-bound veterans; providing psychotherapy in the Geriatric Primary Care Clinic, group psychotherapy to older veterans, and consultation to palliative care Research interests: Couples Therapy with Older Adults, Evidence-Based Treatment in the Home
Arthur Russo, Ph.D., University of Tennessee, 1985
Post Doctoral Certification, William Alanson White Institute (psychoanalysis and psychotherapy); Fielding Institute (Neuropsychology)
Clinical and Neuropsychologist
Clinical activities: Psychological and Neuropsychological assessment, Chaplain Training, Health Psychology
Research interests: spirituality and mental health; theory of mind; personality disorders
Application Information
VA New York Harbor Health Care System
Brooklyn Campus
Postdoctoral Residency - Geropsychology
2015-2016
We are recruiting 2 fellows for our one year Geropsychology Residency Training Program. Geropsychology Fellows will have experiences in neuropsychological assessment, geriatric primary care and memory disorders clinic, geriatric cognitive rehabilitation, palliative care, psycho-oncology, and home-based primary care. Research opportunities are available as well.
The VA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants from diverse backgrounds regarding ethnic, racial, gender and personal backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Deadline for submission of application materials: January 16, 2015
Start Date: September, 2015
Stipend: $47,626
Benefits: 13 days annual leave, up to 13 days sick leave, health insurance
Commission on Accreditation Status: The Postdoctoral Residency Program in Geropsychology has submitted the self-study for APA accreditation.
General Qualifications
Eligible candidates must:
be a U.S. citizen.
be a student in good standing in an APA-accredited Clinical or Counseling psychology doctoral program, or
have completed a doctoral degree, including dissertation defense, from an APA-accredited Clinical or Counseling Psychology program prior to the start date of the fellowship. Note: Persons with a Ph.D. in another area of psychology who meet the APA criteria for respecialization training in Clinical or Counseling Psychology are also eligible to apply.
successfully complete an APA-accredited psychology internship.
Policies
The VA New York Harbor postdoctoral fellowship program complies with all guidelines set forth by the Association of Psychology, Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC). These policies can be accessed at the APPIC website www.appic.org.
The fellowship program also abides by all American Psychological Association guidelines and requirements. APA can be contacted at:
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation
Education Directorate
American Psychological Association
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC, 20002-4242.
(202) 336-5979
www.apa.org/ed/accreditation
Selection and Interview Process
All completed applications are reviewed by the Training Committee. Based on a systematic review of all applications, some candidates are invited to interview. Interviews are normally held on the VANYHHS Brooklyn Campus, but telephone or video interviews can be arranged. We aim to notify all applicants regarding their interview status by January 23.
Please note: We will make offers on Tuesday, February 17, 2015. An applicant receiving an offer will be allowed to hold the offer for 24 hrs. Prior to February 17, we will consider making a reciprocal offer if a top applicant receives a bona fide offer from another postdoctoral training program.
Application
VA New York Harbor Healthcare System
Brooklyn Campus
Postdoctoral Residency - Geropsychology
Identifying Information
Name:
U.S. Citizenship: yes no
Mailing Address:
Email:
Work telephone: Home Phone:
Cell phone:
Doctoral Program
Program APA Approved? yes no
Doctoral Degree Completed? PhD: yes no PsyD: yes no
If answer to above is no, please use a separate sheet to specify the following:
Describe in detail the status of your dissertation and the date on which you expect to complete all requirements for the doctoral degree.
Include a letter from your dissertation chairperson describing your dissertation status and timeline.
Predoctoral Internship Completed (date):
Predoctoral Internship:
Internship APA approved?
Postdoctoral experiences (if any, list):
Statement of Interest
Use up to one typewritten page to describe the following:
Please describe your clinical experience and interest with older adults including the types of patients, clinical services performed and types of supervision obtained. Include a brief description of your predoctoral internship, including rotations.
Describe any relevant research activities, publications or other scholarly activities.
Briefly describe your background in psychological and neuropsychological testing including a brief list of major tests administered (e.g. WAIS, PAI, MMPI,WMS-II, WCST, Rey Complex Figure Drawing, WCST, DKEFS, CVLT) and total number of testing reports completed on older adults.
Briefly describe your goals for training in clinical geropsychology, including areas of interest, deficiencies in past training and career goals.
Application Checklist:
_____ Statement of Interest (one page)
_____ Three letters of recommendation from clinical supervisors
_____ A letter of support from current Internship Training Director indicating that you
are in good standing to successfully complete your predoctoral internship,
including completion date. If already completed, mail a copy of your predoctoral
internship certificate.
_____ If you have not completed your doctoral degree, include a letter from your
dissertation chairperson describing your dissertation status and timeline.
_____ Current CV
_____ Graduate transcript
Email all parts (even transcripts) directly to Donna.Rasin-Waters@va.gov:
Mail alternative for transcripts to: Donna Rasin-Waters, PhD
Director of Training, Clinical Geropsychology Postdoctoral Residency
VA NY Harbor Healthcare System
Brooklyn Campus – Room 16-205
Brooklyn, NY 11209
For further information about the fellowship email Dr. Rasin-Waters.