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Postdoctoral
Residency in Clinical Neuropsychology
Program
Overview
The Neuropsychology Service also offers training programs at the externship, internship (http://www.psych.uic.edu/internship/trainOppr.htm), and residency levels ( http://www.psych.uic.edu/education/neuropsychology/index.htm). The Neuropsychology Program within the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago (UIC) recruits for up to three positions in a two-year fellowship program in clinical neuropsychology. The program is a member of the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN) and conforms to the INS, Division 40, and Houston Conference guidelines for training in clinical neuropsychology. We have 4 faculty neuropsychologists, 3 of whom are board certified in Clinical Neuropsychology (ABPP). Fellows receive broad clinical training with diverse neurologic, psychiatric, and neurodevelopmental populations of all ages and clinical rotations are flexible. All fellows participate in a variety of didactic activities including a Neuroanatomy review course and Behavioral Neurosciences seminar, teaching/supervision of interns and graduate students, and contribution to or initiation of research programs under the mentorship of faculty. Research programs are ongoing in the following areas: electrical injury, neurobehavioral disorders, traumatic brain injury, stroke, HIV/AIDS, and substance abuse. Rotations in other medical clinics such as Vascular Cognitive Disorders Clinic, Neurosurgery Clinic, EEG Clinic, and Neuroradiology Clinic may also be arranged as individual candidate interests dictate.
Trainees interested in applying for the upcoming academic year beginning in July can obtain more information from our web-based program description (www.psych.uic.edu/education/neuropsychology/index.htm). Most interviewing of candidates will take place at the annual meeting of the International Neuropsychological Society (INS) in February although phone/onsite interviewing is available to select applicants. Please note that our residency program participates in the APPCN match system. The deadline for receipt of all application materials to our program is late January. Additional information may be obtained at the APPCN website (http://www.appcn.org/). All inquiries regarding this information as well as application materials should be addressed to:
Neil H. Pliskin, Ph.D., ABPP-CN
Director, Neuropsychology Program
Training Director, Postdoctoral Residency in Clinical Neuropsychology
912 S. Wood Street, MC 913
Department of Psychiatry
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, IL 60612
Email: npliskin@uic.edu
Phone: (312)996-6217
Postdoctoral Residency in Clinical Neuropsychology:
Program Overview
Program Mission: To provide advanced level clinical, didactic and academic training to produce competent psychologists in the specialty of Clinical Neuropsychology.
Entry Requirements: Successful completion of an APA accredited doctoral education and training program as well as an internship program that includes substantial training in clinical neuropsychology. No candidates who are ABD at the beginning of the Residency will be considered.
Program Components:
- Development of advanced skill in the neuropsychological evaluation and treatment of patients, and consultation to patients and professionals sufficient to practice on an independent basis;
- Development of advanced understanding of brain-behavior relationships; medical neuroanatomy course.
- Scholarly activity, e.g., submission of a study or literature review for publication, presentation, and submission of a grant proposal or outcome assessment.
- Pedagogical activities, e.g. teaching contributions to Behavioral Neuroscience Seminar, Neuroanatomy Review, facilitation of monthly Journal Club and opportunities for supervision of a psychology intern or extern.
Program Structure:
This is a two-year residency. Three days (60%) of the postdoctoral resident's week will be spent engaged in providing clinical service, including assessment and treatment activities. The remaining two days (40%) will be spent in research and educational activities.
The Neuropsychology Program provides neuropsychological assessment of adult and pediatric inpatients and outpatients drawn from the medical center's Departments of Psychiatry, Neurosurgery, Neuropsychiatry, Rehabilitation, Neurogenetics, Neurology, Geriatrics, Pediatrics, and Medicine, as well as from outside referral sources and school settings. These referrals span the entire list of neuropathological conditions such as dementia, cerebrovascular disorders, tumor, HIV, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, Autism, degenerative disorders, ADHD, learning disabilities, developmental disorders, and traumatic brain injury.
Year 1:
- Major rotation in adult or pediatric neuropsychology
- Medical Neuroanatomy course with concurrent half-time major rotation over 2 months
- Twenty-four hours of assessment per week are required. These will typically consist of three outpatient evaluations and one inpatient evaluation per week although this requirement will be reduced to 12 hours/week during the 3 months of the Neuroanatomy course
- Up to three psychotherapy cases per week, which could involve cases from outpatient rehabilitation including cognitive rehabilitation therapy
- 2 minor elective rotations over the course of the year (see below) can be arranged
- Submission of a small study (e.g., archival or part of faculty members' research program) or literature review for presentation and publication in the first year. Outline of original research project, grant proposal or outcome assessment written in first year and carried out in second year. Presentation at national or international meeting is encouraged.
Year 2:
The composition of this year will depend on the resident's clinical interests and career trajectory. This additional year could be utilized for further clinical subspecialization.
- One major rotation
- Two minor elective rotations over the course of the year
- Conduct and complete original research including paper submitted for publication
- Continue psychotherapy patient caseload or devote more time to the neuropsychological consultation service.
CLINICAL
Major Rotations:
Adult Neuropsychology Clinics (Outpatient and Inpatient)
Pediatric Neuropsychology Clinic (Outpatient and Inpatient)
Elective Rotations:
Vascular Disorders Clinic
Adult Neurology Bedside Rounds
Neuropsychiatry Consultation Rounds
EEG Clinic
Neuroradiology Clinic
Health Psychology Clinic
RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES
Research is an important component of this residency, with residents expected to devote a minimum of 20% of their time in order to take advantage of the rich research opportunities provided within the educational and research programs of the Department of Psychiatry. This can be accomplished through a variety of means including archival studies and involvement within current research protocols. Some of the research opportunities are detailed below:
Cognitive and Addiction Neuroscience
The program of Cognitive and Addiction Neuroscience is directed by Eileen Martin, PhD, ABPP/CN and offers several research opportunities. The program of ongoing research includes the study of the effects of HIV and of drugs of abuse on brain function and cognition. Current NIH funded projects include studies of working memory and other prefrontal-subcortical functions in men and women with a history of heroin or crack use and in individuals who misuse MDMA (Ecstasy) and other club drugs. Currently the program is developing an fMRI component and preparing a third project on hepatitis C and cognition.
Hormones and Cognition
Pauline M Maki, Ph.D. leads a program of research into the effects of hormone therapy on cognition and brain function, using both neuropsychological and neuroimaging (fMRI, PET) outcomes. The primary focus is the effects of estrogen therapy on age-related changes in cognitive abilities. Other studies involve assessments of cognitive function across the menstrual cycle, following hormone suppression, and following other hormone and alternative treatments for menopausal symptoms.
Neuropsychological Effects of Electrical Injury
This research program is devoted to clarifying the biologic mechanisms that underlie neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric changes seen following electrical injury. Clinical, psychiatric and neuropsychological data have been collected on over 200 electrical injury. Residents are welcome to engage in archival studies of this database or become involved in the current clinical-research protocol.
Rehabilitation Psychology Research Opportunities in Neuroplascitity
The relationships between various patient groups with disabilities and changes in fMRI activation pattern and cognitive testing during recovery is being systematically studied in Rehabilitation Psychology. Various treatments for traumatic brain injury designed to promote recovery in cognitive and emotional status including cognitive rehabilitation therapy, drug therapy, and CPAP therapy (in patients with sleep apnea) are the subjects of current studies. Ongoing studies focus on adults but preliminary studies have begun with children who have traumatic brain injury.
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Seminars:
Behavioral Neuroscience Seminar
Neurology Grand Rounds
Neuroradiology Rounds
Neuropathology/Brain Cutting
Psychiatry Grand Rounds
Neuroanatomy Review Series
Course:
Medical Neuroanatomy (January - March daily during Year 1)
TEACHING REQUIREMENTS
The resident will make regular teaching contributions to the weekly Behavioral Neuroscience Seminar and facilitate the monthly Journal Club and Neuroanatomy Review series. There will also be opportunities for supervision of psychology interns or advanced externs.
SUPERVISION
The resident will meet weekly with the residency director and will also meet regularly with a research supervisor and/or rotation supervisor. There are also at least five hours of structured educational activities per week.
RESIDENCY EXIT CRITERIA:
- Formal evaluation of competency at the end of the residency indicates advanced skill in neuropsychological evaluation, treatment and consultation.
- Eligibility for state licensure or certification for the independent practice of psychology.
- Eligibility for board certification in clinical neuropsychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology.
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