**PRACTICUM PROGRAM**

**I N C L I N I C A L A N D C O U N S E L I N G**

# 

#  *[HINES VA HOSPITAL]{.underline}*

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**[HINES VA HOSPITAL PSYCHOLOGY PRACTICUM TRAINING
PROGRAM]{.underline}**

**HINES VA HOSPITAL**

**PSYCHOLOGY SERVICE (116B)**

**EDWARD HINES JR. HOSPITAL**

**5000 S. 5^TH^ AVE.**

**HINES, IL 60141**

**Practicum Training Coordinator:**

**Kathleen O'Donnell, Ph.D.**

**Phone: (708)-202-2466**

**Email: <kathleen.odonnell@va.gov>**

**Fax: (708)-202--2687**

**[HINES HOSPITAL]{.underline}**

Hines Hospital is one of the largest and most diversified medical and
surgical hospitals in the Department of Veterans Affairs system. The
hospital is a tertiary referral center with many specialty services
including some that serve a large U.S. regional area. The Psychology
Service operates as an independent department within the larger Mental
Health Service Line and has good working relationships with wide-ranging
medical disciplines within the hospital, including Psychiatry. The units
and patient programs served by Psychology Service include Primary Care,
Blind Rehabilitation, Cardiac Care, Drug Dependency Treatment Center,
Dual Diagnosis, Extended Care (Geriatric), Infectious Disease, Inpatient
and Outpatient Psychiatry, Intensive Care Medicine, Neurology, Oncology,
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, PTSD Clinic, Polytrauma/TBI
program, Spinal Cord Injury and Outpatient and Residential Substance
Abuse.

As a VA hospital, Hines gives priority to the care of veterans whose
injuries or medical conditions were obtained while in the military
service of the United States. Hines is also authorized to serve all
veterans who have limited financial resources. A high proportion of our
patients are from ethnic minority groups, thereby enriching the cultural
atmosphere of the hospital.

The Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of
Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) and the Commission on Accreditation of
Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), and has affiliations with numerous
universities.

The Hospital and its academic affiliates conduct many symposia,
workshops and

consultant presentations on a broad range of topics from many health
care fields, and these in turn are available to trainees.

**[PSYCHOLOGY SERVICE]{.underline}**

The Psychology Service at Hines represents a health care model in
keeping with the ideal set forth by the American Psychological
Association, i.e., an independent clinical service directly responsible
to the Chief of the Mental Health Service Line. At Hines, Psychologists
are privileged providers with membership on the Medical Executive
Committee.

The Psychology Service is comprised of 28 doctoral-level psychologists
and one clerical staff person. The broad range of expertise, background
and experience represented in the staff is also reflected in the
diversity of their professional assignments throughout the Hospital.

Psychologists work in traditional psychiatric and rehabilitation
settings, as well as in neuropsychology, family therapy, and health
psychology specialties such as pain management, primary care, home-based
health care, oncology, heart disease, and HIV consultation.

**[PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:]{.underline}**

Hines VA Hospital offers an extended eleven-month practicum, with three
rotations from which to choose. The practicum at Hines VA Hospital
begins in early July and ends in late May. Practicum students are
expected to complete 700+ hours within this time frame. Furthermore,
students are expected to work at least 16 hours per week, with a typical
workday beginning at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m. Students will
work on one rotation for the entire year, although the
Neuropsychological Assessment rotation offers an opportunity to work
with different patient populations and at least two different
supervisors.

During their practicum experience, students will be closely supervised
by a Ph.D.-level psychologist with a specialty in that particular area
of the rotation. Supervision is typically provided at least 2 hours per
week. Because Hines VA Hospital also has an APA-approved internship
program consisting of six intern slots, we are very familiar with
providing excellence in training. We are also excited to announce that
we have just been awarded a post-doctoral program with four specific
specialties. Toward this end, we stress education, supervision, and
training. Students are not treated as technicians. Practicum will allow
students to apply classroom theory in a practical setting, to develop
greater confidence in their clinical skills, and to mature as
professional psychologists.

**[AVAILABLE PRACTICUM ROTATIONS]{.underline}**:

1.  **Neuropsychological Assessment**

-   Supervisors: Dr. Kathleen O'Donnell, Dr. Amanda Urban, Dr. David
    Kinsinger, and Dr. Beth Beenken

2.  **Geriatrics and Rehabilitation**

-   Supervisor: Dr. Michael Blacconiere

3.  **Trauma Services Program**

-   Supervisors: Kelly Phipps Maiertisch, Ph.D. and Kurt Noblett, Ph.D.

**[DESCRIPTION OF PRACTICUM ROTATIONS]{.underline}**:

1.  **[NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT.]{.underline} On this rotation,
    students will rotate between two of the four available supervisors.
    This rotation is designed for an advanced practicum student and/or a
    student who has a strong interest in Neuropsychology.**

> ***Supervisors*: Kathleen O'Donnell, Ph.D.**
>
> **Amanda Urban, Ph.D.**
>
> **Beth Beenken, Ph.D.**
>
> **David Kinsinger, Ph.D.**

Description:

The intern will become familiar with the flexible-battery approach to
neuropsychological assessment. This method emphasizes qualitative and
quantitative data within the framework of a battery of tests which are
designed to answer specific consultation questions. Interns will receive
training and experience in the provision of assessment and consultation
services to medically-based patient populations, as well as a
psychiatric population. Neuropsychological services are provided to both
an inpatient and outpatient population. Referral sources include, but
are not limited to, Neurology, Psychiatry, General Medicine, Geriatrics,
Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation / Polytrauma, Neurosurgery, and
Psychology. Consultations are utilized by a variety of medical
disciplines, including physicians, psychologists, social workers,
rehabilitation specialists, and nurses for diagnostic purposes, dementia
workups, future management, rehabilitation, and/or determination of
competency. Students will also become familiar with CT and MRI reports,
and how to correlate neuropsychological measures with neuroanatomical
dysfunction. Interns can expect to develop proficiency with regard to
clinical interviewing, test administration/selection, test
interpretation, and test report writing. Family contact is frequent,
particularly with outpatients, and education/supportive services are
common. The student will be exposed to a wide variety of neurocognitive
disorders, including but not limited to: dementias, strokes and vascular
disease, traumatic brain injury / polytrauma, toxic/metabolic disorders,
aphasias, amnestic syndromes, and psychiatric disturbances. Most of the
patients will be either in their late 60\'s and 70\'s or in their 20\'s
(newly returning veterans), but ages may range from 18 to 95. Many
patients are of a lower socioeconomic status and reflect a variety of
racial and ethnic backgrounds. It is a prerequisite that students have
some background in neuropsychology.

> Students in the Neuropsychology practicum will gain experience in the
> following skills and activities:
>
> 1\. Increased familiarity with the process-oriented/flexible-battery
> approach to Neuropsychology
>
> 2\. Exposure to a consultant model of interacting with other
> disciplines
>
> 3\. Exposure to and basic understanding of neuroanatomy
>
> 4\. Increased familiarity with a variety of neurocognitive disorders,
> including but not

limited to: dementias, strokes and vascular disease, traumatic brain
injury/polytrauma, toxic/metabolic disorders, aphasias, amnestic
syndromes, and psychiatric disturbances

> 5\. An in-depth understanding of cortical and subcortical dementias
>
> 6\. An in-depth understanding of traumatic brain injury
>
> 7\. Increased ability to correlate neuropsychological findings with
> CT, MRI, and SPECT reports.
>
> 8\. Interns will progress toward establishing their professional
> identity as
>
> psychologists.

**2. [GERIATRICS AND REHABILITATION ]{.underline}**

***Supervisor*: Michael Blacconiere, Ph.D.**

Description:

> The student will provide assessment and some individual and possibly
> group psychotherapy to patients at the Extended Care Center. This
> facility encompasses three wards with a combined capacity of over 120
> patients. Many of the patients are in the geriatric age range, with
> frequent exceptions. Their needs include extended rehabilitation,
> long-term care, management/treatment of complex medical issues and
> palliative care. Patients at the Extended Care Center often have
> serious medical problems, such as amputation, cardiac difficulties,
> cancer, chronic illness, dementia or head injury.
>
> While at this facility, patients are referred for a variety of
> psychological needs. Such needs include depression, anxiety,
> adjustment disorders, substance abuse, other psychiatric disorders and
> hospice. Some patients may need encouragement with longer-term (a
> month or more) rehabilitation or assistance with behavior management
> issues. Most patients are assessed through interviews, although the
> Mini-Mental Status Exam and Cognistat are included as indicated. Other
> psychological instruments may be utilized on an as needed basis.
> Students are encouraged to participate in interdisciplinary staffing
> during this practicum. Individual supervision may occur before and/or
> after a student's interview with a patient. Course work in
> psychopathology and psychotherapy are strongly recommended, and a
> course in medical or health psychology would be a plus. The student in
> this environment will gain exposure to medical psychology in a medical
> setting.
>
> Students in the Geriatrics and Rehabilitation practicum will gain
> experience in the following skills and activities:
>
> 1\. Diagnostic interviewing for personality and psychopathology with
> an emphasis on understanding how these aspects may impact the
> patient's adjustment to illness and their rehabilitation process.
> Student will begin to integrate the five axes of the DSM-IV.
>
> 2\. Administration, scoring and interpretation of selected screening
> instruments for cognitive impairment.
>
> 3\. Writing reports regarding assessment and/or psychotherapy.
>
> 4\. Working as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team.
>
> 5\. Developing knowledge regarding further consultation to other
> disciplines or treatment modalities.
>
> 6\. Attendance at didactic sessions throughout the hospital.

**3. [TRAUMA SERVICES PROGRAM]{.underline}**

***Supervisors:* Kelly Phipps Maiertisch, Ph.D.**

> **Kurt Noblett, Ph.D.**

Description:

> This externship is focused on providing education and assessment for
> veterans who have experienced trauma and manifest trauma-related
> symptoms and/or problems with functioning. The Trauma Services
> Program, is a specialty program (previously referred to as the PTSD
> Clinical Team) whose primary mission is to provide psychoeducation and
> evidence-based treatments to veterans coping with posttraumatic
> reactions. Veterans may have experienced all types of trauma including
> but not limited to: combat, sexual assault, physical assault, homicide
> survivor, Patients consist of both men and women, representing all
> eras of service (e.g., Vietnam, Desert Storm, OEF/OIF). A key
> component of the program is training and consultation for VA staff.
>
> The extern will have the opportunity to participate in various aspects
> of this program. The extern will be trained in assessment of
> Trauma-related sequelae using various methods including but not
> limited to: structured interviews (e.g., CAPS), personality assessment
> (e.g., MMPI, PAI), and other relevant self-report assessments (e.g.,
> PCL, BDI). Externs may also be able to participate as evaluators for
> grant-funded treatment outcome studies. These evaluations are detailed
> batteries including structured-interviewing \[e.g., SCID I and II,
> Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS)\]. The extern will also learn
> to facilitate our psychoeducation and orientation course that is
> provided to almost all veterans who enter the Trauma Services Program.
> They will serve as co-facilitators with other staff and trainees.
>
> The extern can expect to be an integral part of the Trauma Services
> Program, currently consisting of three psychologists, one social
> worker, and part-time psychiatry. The program works in close
> connection with the Mental Health clinic, as well as with the rest of
> the Mental Health Service Line. We also offer training experiences for
> our internship program and postdoctoral fellow program. Weekly
> meetings with the treatment team provide the opportunity to discuss
> specific cases, explore relevant research literature, and generate
> ideas to promote programmatic improvement and quality assurance.
> Attendance at weekly group consultation provides further training and
> consultation in the implementation of evidence-based practice.
>
> Students in the Trauma Services Program practicum will gain experience
> in the following skills and activities:
>
> 1\. Demonstrate accurate diagnostic skills based on objective
> assessment and interview.

-Select and administer appropriate assessment measures

(e.g., PAI, CAPS) specific to the patient's needs.

-Review patient records and integrate information from

diagnostic interview into integrated reports.

> 3\. Exhibit competence in the administration of psychoeducation
> courses for patients with PTSD and other trauma-related sequelae.
>
> -Co-facilitate our psychoeducation and orientation course titled CORE.
>
> 4\. Provide consultation with the Trauma Services Program treatment
> team and other staff members who provide multidisciplinary care to the
> patients.

-Attend weekly staffing meetings with Trauma Services

Program treatment team.

-Attend weekly consultation meetings with Trauma Service

Program treatment team. Topics discussed and reviewed

include didactics regarding evidence-based treatments for

PTSD and other trauma-related issues

**[DIRECTIONS]{.underline}**

**Hines VA Hospital is easily accessible by car, and also by public
transportation.**

**[BY CAR:]{.underline}**

**Hines Hospital is located in Chicago\'s western suburbs, at Fifth
Avenue and**

**Roosevelt Road, adjacent to the towns of Maywood and Broadview.**

**From the North or South:**

***Take 1-294 (Tri-State Tollway) - to 1-290 (Eisenhower Expressway).***

***East on 1-290 (Chicago) - to First Avenue exit (Exit #20).***

***Turn right (South) on First Avenue - to Roosevelt Road (Route 38).***

***Turn right (West) on Roosevelt - go to Fifth Avenue (the first stop
light).***

***Turn left to enter the Hines Hospital grounds.***

**From the Far Western suburbs:**

***Take 1-88 - to 1-290***

***East on 1-290 - to Exit #20***

***Follow directions above from Exit #20.***

**From Downtown Chicago:**

***Take 1-290 (West) - to Exit #20***

***Turn left (South ) on First Avenue.***

***Follow directions above from Exit #20.***

**[BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:]{.underline}**

**The closest El stop is the Forest Park station, which is the end of
the Blue Line. From there, you can take a bus to Hines VA Hospital,
including the 308 line. Please check with the CTA/Pace for other bus
lines and routing information to the hospital.**

**[ONCE YOU ARE ON THE HINES CAMPUS:]{.underline}**

**Psychology Service offices are located in Building 228 (Mental Health
Building) and visitor parking is available in the parking lots directly
east of Building 228. Once you are in the lobby area of this building,
take the elevators to the 3^rd^ floor and look for signs to 3South and
Psychology Offices. You can wait in our waiting room, which is Room
3055.**

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