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Postdoc Description
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA)

2 YEAR PSYCHOLOGY POST-DOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP:

ADVANCED FELLOWSHIP IN MENTAL ILLNESS RESEARCH AND TREATMENT

VISN 17 CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

WACO, TX VA MEDICAL CENTER

We are accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Fellowship position in our VA Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA)-funded advanced training program in mental illness research and treatment, specifically addressing war Veterans with co-occurring disorders such as PTSD, TBI, depression and substance use disorders. Training will commence between July - October 2013.

Training Philosophy and Model

The purpose of the Program is to prepare postdoctoral clinical and counseling psychology Fellows for advanced practice and research with Veterans who suffer with PTSD, TBI, depression, substance use, chronic pain and other co-occurring disorders. This interdisciplinary program aims to train psychologists to become outstanding clinical research leaders in high priority areas of mental health. Individualized, mentored research and clinical training is combined with a state-of-the-art curriculum that emphasizes research methods, statistics, epidemiology, mental health systems, quality improvement methods, education, and service delivery. The VISN17 Waco Center of Excellence is one of 25 fellowship sites nationally. Sites are linked electronically with the hub site in Palo Alton, CA for didactic, academic, and research efforts. Fellows devote 75% of their time to clinical research, education activities, and the business administration of research, and 25% to clinical training and service delivery. In collaboration with their mentors, Fellows develop and implement a research project, publish and present findings, participate in grant writing and submit a grant, and utilize the latest technology for educational activities and clinical service delivery. Fellows also obtain specialized training in research-related business administration via involvement in one or more business projects. The VISN 17 Center of Excellence (COE) has 5 Core areas in which Fellows can train and gain leadership experience: Neuroimaging and Genetics, Assessment, Treatment Development and Treatment Outcome, Business, and Education and Dissemination.

VA VISN 17 Center of Excellence for Research on Returning War Veterans

The VISN 17 Center of Excellence (COE) for Research on Returning War Veterans was originated in 2006 when Congress instructed the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to designate the Waco campus of the Central Texas Health Care System (CTVHCS) as a Center of Excellence to focus on mental health/post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) needs. Central Texas has one of the highest concentrations of returning Veterans in the country, with a current total of over 34,000 unique OEF/OIF Veterans registered in the system. The COE is a unified scientific and administrative center designed to foster state-of-the-art, broad spectrum inquiry into the mental health sequelae of combat exposure, with particular focus on those Veterans returning from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom (OEF/OIF). The COE utilizes shared resources of the Central Texas Veterans Health Care System and the Heart of Texas Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 17), as well as faculty of Texas A&M Health Science Center, Texas A&M University, University of Texas, and Baylor University. The COE collaborates nationally with many other researchers, academic institutions, and VA systems. For more information see: http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/coe/visn17/

Our past fellows have gone on to varied positions within the Veterans Health Administration nationally, utilizing research, clinical and administrative skills from their training.

Stipend and Benefits. The Fellowship Program offers a full-time stipend of $42,239 per annum. 13 days of vacation, up to 13 days of sick leave, authorized leave for conferences, health insurance and other benefits are offered. The Federal Tort Claims Act covers professional liability for services provided as a VA employee.

Eligibility. Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Applicants must complete all requirements of an APA-accredited doctoral program in clinical or counseling psychology and an APA-accredited internship in clinical or counseling psychology prior to entering the program. Applications are accepted from applicants who are currently in the process of completing these requirements.

Deadlines. The initial deadline for applications is January 15, 2013, with interviews scheduled in later January and February. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Application Procedure

The following materials are required to apply:

1. A cover letter that includes in detail the following elements:

a. Previous clinical, educational and/or research experience or interest involving Veterans.

b. Previous clinical, educational and/or research experience or interest in any of the Center’s areas of research.

c. A description of your career goals and how you envision the Fellowship advancing them.

2. Curriculum Vitae

3. Official transcripts from graduate school (including awarding date of doctoral degree). If the doctoral degree has not yet been awarded, we will require an official transcript with awarding date before admission to the Program.

4. Three or four letters of recommendation, from:

a. Your dissertation Chair (to include the status of your dissertation and anticipated completion date, if your doctoral degree has not yet been awarded)

b. A clinical supervisor who is very familiar with your work

c. Another supervisor who is very familiar with your clinical/research work

d. At least one letter should be from an internship supervisor discussing progress on internship and anticipated completion date.

Questions regarding the program may be directed to Dr. Andrew Cook at (254) 297-5298 or email at Andrew.Cook@va.gov.



Complete application materials can be submitted electronically to the email address above, or by mail/courier to:

ANDREW COOK, PHD

VISN 17 VA CENTER OF EXELLENCE

4800 MEMORIAL DRIVE (151C)

BUILDING 91A, 1st Floor

WACO VA MEDICAL CENTER

WACO, TX 76711