Practicum trainees at the Aging and Memory Research Center (AMRC), which is part of the Geriatric Psychiatry Division at the UCLA Medical School & Semel Institute, will perform one comprehensive neuro-psychological evaluation each week. Referrals are from psychiatrists and neurologists at UCLA, or from the community at large. These patients present with a broad variety of clinical presentations, including mild cognitive impairment (MCI), dementia (Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia, etc), mild head injury, psychiatric disorders, and other neuro-degenerative or neurological disorders. Each practicum trainee is trained to achieve proficiency in standardized test administration, and will independently score, interpret, and write up a comprehensive neuropsychological report each week. In addition, the practicum trainees may be able to observe or participate in Brain Boot Camp, a cognitive rehabilitation program for seniors with memory challenges, and/or are able to participate in an abstract/poster pertaining to the ongoing research of Drs. Small, Miller, and Ercoli at the AMRC. These latter activities are typically supplemental and on top of the typical clinical commitment.
Current position openings: We currently have 3-5 positions each year, with option to complete 1 six month rotation with the AMRC and 1 six month rotation with the ADRC, or to complete 12-months at the AMRC.
Resource Allocation: The practicum trainees supervised by Drs. Miller and Kim have available office space and testing rooms at the Center on Aging at the Ueberroth Building on the UCLA Campus. The practicum trainees supervised by Dr. Linda Ercoli will share office space with current geriatric psychology fellow in the 300 Building of UCLA. Appropriate office equipment, including desk, phone, computer, and office supplies, is provided.
Supervision: All practicum trainees will receive weekly supervision from Drs. Miller, Kim, or Ercoli, who are licensed clinical psychologists and neuropsychologists. In addition, all practicum trainees are required to attend weekly group supervision for 1.5 hours on Thursdays with Dr. Miller and rotating faculty. In addition, informal supervision (phone calls, emails, etc.) is available when necessary, and all supervisors are available for consultation if an urgent situation arises. Practicum trainee evaluations will be completed by the direct clinical supervisor. Orientation to the AMRC occurs in mid-August and is conducted by supervisors and post-doctoral fellows. All essential materials, including psychological assessment instruments, are available and provided to the practicum trainees.
Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior
