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BACKGROUND: Northshore Psychological Associates (NPA) is a large psychology group practice, founded in 1998.  Initially, NPA was one component of a larger, multidisciplinary practice encompassing Psychology, Neurology and Physiatry.  In 2015 the medical group affiliated with the UPMC health system while NPA chose to maintain its independence.  Because of our commitment to the advancement of professional psychology and training, NPA founded, in conjunction with UPMC Safe Harbor Behavioral Health, the Erie Psychology Consortium, a doctoral internship program centered here in Erie Pennsylvania.  The consortium was accredited by APA in 2003 and was discontinued in 2021.  However, since 2010, we have regularly offered the opportunity for one or two year postdoctoral experiences for exceptional students who have completed our internship and have shown interest.  This has led to the institution of the formal residency/fellowship program here at NPA.

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:     Northshore Psychological Associates offers two Doctoral Residency positions each year. The residency is conceptualized as two consecutive full-time (40hr/week), 12 month positions that typically begin and end mid-August each year. Depending on their goals and performance, Residents are typically afforded the opportunity for a second year of residency.

 

Consistent  with the Houston Conference model, the neuropsychology residency/fellowship provides training in the assessment of the full range of neurobehavioral disorders including dementia, acute confusional states, attentional disorders, aphasic disorders, and other focal brain disorders. Common clinical populations include traumatic brain injury, primary dementias, seizure disorders, Parkinson’s / pre-DBS implantation, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, stroke, learning disabilities, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, pseudo-neurologic and somatoform disorders and medico-legal referrals. The majority of referrals come from family practice physicians, psychiatry, neurology, the local VA Medical center as well as other local psychologists.

 

At Northshore, we are committed to the concept of excellence in training within a multidisciplinary training program. Resident/fellows work in close collaboration with staff members and perform many of the same responsibilities.  As per regulations by the Pennsylvania State Board of psychology, resident/fellows will receive a minimum of two hours per week of individual supervision from licensed psychologists until such time as they become licensed.  It is expected that Resident/fellows will pursue and achieve licensure during their training, typically by the end of the first year. Subsequent to the granting of licensure, the Resident/fellow will continue to receive supervision and oversight by the primary and delegated supervisors.

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TRAINING MODEL:  Northshore Psychological Associates (NPA) is a private practice providing integrative care predominantly in health care settings. As such, traditional models of training such as those defined by psychotherapeutic approaches do not adequately grasp the nature of “psychology in action” within the fast paced and changing nature of such a practice.   The residency has chosen to term its philosophy / model of training as ‘experiential’ as it is through the immersion of the resident into the culture, science and practice of professional psychology that they acquire not only the technical skill for future practice but also the identity as a psychologist.  The program views its residents as “doctors in training” on a par with other doctoral health care professionals.  The goal, therefore, is that graduates of residency will feel technically qualified and professionally prepared for any future employment. How does the program accomplish this?

 

Integrating science and practice:

Residents participate in a variety of educational experiences both within the residency and at off campus offerings. These include: Internally- Assigned readings, Monthly journal articles, Case discussion, monthly lectures combining neurology and psychology residents and various topic discussions within psychology such as dementia, depression, traumatic brain injury, stroke and managing psychological aspects of medical illnesses such as diabetes, Parkinson's etc.  Externally - Attendance at the Annual Neuroscience conference, UPMC neurology grand rounds and other community offered programs such as a medical ethics conference sponsored by a local hospital, statewide and regional workshops, seminars at a local university etc.

 

The culture and the profession:

The residency achieves this in several ways. The first relates to modeling. Residents are immersed into the private practice world of psychology. Several faculty / supervisors have extensive involvement in the larger profession of psychology; serving as presidents of the regional psychological association (2), presidents of the state psychological association (2), members of various state association committees (6), members of the state psychological political action committee (1), APA Heiser award recipients (2), members of the State Board of Psychology (1) and APA Council of representatives (1).

 

Residents meet on a monthly basis for a seminar on ethical and professional issues in psychology. Topics in this seminar range from macro issues such as the future of psychological training and treatments to individual ethical dilemmas faced during residency and private practice. Residents, in the company of faculty, attend a yearly, invitation only, Ethics Educators Seminar sponsored by the state psychological association. During this experience, residents are exposed to faculty and supervisors involved in ethical training and education.  In the past, residents, in the company of faculty, attend the Annual Advocacy Day activities sponsored by the state association. During this event, residents receive training on legislative and regulatory issues in Pennsylvania that impact on psychology or the patients we serve. They then accompany psychologist to the state capitol where they partake in advocacy efforts with state legislators around these issues. Residents also are encouraged and receive support to attend the annual convention of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association.

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FACILITIES:  The primary location for the residency program is Northshore Psychological Associates, a professional group practice providing psychological and neuropsychological care to children, teenagers, adults and seniors. We are conveniently located on Erie’s Bayfront at 120 East Second street.  Residents are also embedded in UPMC Hamot Medical Center, a 500 bed regional hospital and trauma facility in Erie Pennsylvania, Encompass Health, a 95 bed general rehabilitation hospital as well as several extended care facilities within the region.  Residents provide, under supervision, direct services to patients in these facilities including those with traumatic brain injury, concussion, stroke and various other neurological and neuromuscular disorders.

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STIPEND/ BENEFITS: Resident/fellows will receive a benefits package including malpractice insurance, medical insurance and retirement options.  The anticipated stipend is $ 40,000 for the residency year 2023-2024.  The resident/fellow will also receive accrued time for vacation, holidays, sick care, continuing education and other uses consistent with the Post Doctoral Resident Employment Agreement. The resident/fellow is also eligible for participation in the North Shore Group Health and Dental Plans as well as  the 401(k) retirement plan.  Once licensed, they will be considered resident psychologists and will be offered a new contract recognizing their status as licensed professionals with additional training opportunities which is reflected in a change in the stipend.

 

BASIC APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS:    As noted, the residency/fellowship is a full-time one-year clinical experience, beginning and ending mid August. Applicants must have completed a doctoral degree from an American Psychological Association (APA) or Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) accredited program in one of the health service delivery areas of psychology (for example: clinical, counseling, school, clinical neuropsychology, health psychology) prior to the program start date; or a doctoral degree in psychology with additional completion of a re-specialization program designed to meet equivalent criteria as a health services delivery training program in psychology.  Further, applicants must have completed an internship accredited by either APA or CPA. Because this is a postdoctoral program, we do not accept applications from those who have not completed all requirements for their doctoral degree at the time the residency/fellowship begins.

 

Applicants who are not US citizens must have an unrestricted authorization to work in the US for the 2-year duration of their residency before their application can be accepted.  Such applicants must confirm their citizenship/visa status at the time of application.

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Applicants should submit a letter of intent outlining your academic and professional interests along with a copy of their curriculum vitae, three letters of professional reference and graduate transcripts. One of the letters of reference must be from the internship director of training. Applicants are also required to present required background checks and clearances such as those from Child Line, FBI and PA State Police. The application deadline is March 15 although early applications are encouraged.

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Please  click on the above button to review and download the Resident Handbook for a full discussion of programmatic aspects.

 

Interested applicants should send the above materials to: Dr. McAleer- Director of Training at

 dmcaleer@nspractices.com