UCLA’s Medical Psychology Assessment Center (MPAC) is a training clinic for neuropsychological and psychodiagnostic assessment servicing children, adolescents and adults. The Pediatric MPAC track offers a yearlong practicum opportunity during which trainees will become proficient in the fundamental aspects of pediatric neuropsychological assessment under the close supervision of a postdoctoral fellow. Patients are referred to the center from medical and psychological professionals in the community as well from UCLA neurologists and psychiatrists. Pediatric patients present with a broad variety of neurodevelopmental (e.g. Pervasive Developmental Disorder, ADHD, learning disabilities), acquired (e.g. epilepsy, cancer, head injury), and psychological (e.g. depression, anxiety, bipolar, oppositional defiant) disorders. Practicum trainees will be exposed to and eventually become competent in administering, scoring, and interpreting a battery of neuropsychological tests. In addition, under the guidance of a postdoctoral fellow, practicum trainees will learn how to conceptualize cases as well as write sections of a comprehensive report (e.g. history, behavioral observations, results, recommendations). As their report writing skills develop, they will be asked to write a greater portion of the report with the goal of writing a full comprehensive report before the end of the training year.
Current position openings: We currently have 1 available position each year.
Space/Resource Allocation: The MPAC-Peds trainee will have access to shared office space for assessment scoring (C8-746 & C8-735) at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Shared office space for individual supervision and writing is also provided (C8-735). Individual testing rooms are also located in the Semel Institute and are assigned on a case-by-case basis. Appropriate office equipment, including desk, phone, computer, and office supplies, are provided, as well as testing supplies.
Supervision: The Pediatric MPAC practicum trainee will receive at least 2 hours of weekly individual supervision from postdoctoral fellows. In addition, the trainee will attend group pediatric neuropsychology didactics and supervision at The Help Group in Sherman Oaks every other Monday morning (1.5 hours) with postdoctoral fellows. 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 postdoctoral fellows with feedback from faculty supervisors.
Please note: This track covers parking for one day per week for all trainees.
Pre-requisites:
Prior didactic training in psychological assessment is preferred, in addition, to completion of course work in neuropsychology, if offered by the applicants school.
Application process:
Candidates are required to submit a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae, two letters of references, a testing log, a letter from the Training Director of the School attesting to the student’s qualifications, and evidence of professional liability coverage provided by the candidate’s doctoral training program.
Please EMAIL ALL MATERIALS to Mr. David Crawford at: dcrawford@mednet.ucla.edu
Deadline for application is February 15th, each year.
