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Site Name: Southern Arizona VA Health Care System

Department: Psychology Internship Program

Program Information: Southern Arizona VA Health Care System - Psychology Internship Program

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Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 1112
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: Southern Arizona VA Health Care System
Department: Psychology Internship Program
Address: Director of Psychology Training
Mental Health (11-116)
3601 S. Sixth Ave.
Tucson, Arizona 85723
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Distance from Major City: 116 miles southeast of Phoenix, AZ
Phone: 520-792-1450x11058
Fax:
Email: brandon.markel@va.gov
Web Address: https://www.tucson.va.gov/careers/PsychologyTraining/Psychology_Training.asp
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.tucson.va.gov/careers/PsychologyTraining/Psychology_Training.asp
Primary Agency Type: Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Additional Agency Types:
Member of APPIC since:
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director & Lead / Director: Brandon Markel ,Psy.D., MBA
Chief Psychologist: Brandon Markel ,Psy.D., MBA
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 16
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 1
Position Information
Start Date: 08/01/2022
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 4
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 33921
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Dissertation Release Time, Dental Insurance, Health Insurance, Licensing Exam Release Time, Professional Development Time, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): Access to VA online Psychology training opportunities
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site See brochure for types of experiences and rotations. Interns work a 40 hour work week over a year's experience.
Does this site have practicum psychology students on site? No
Is this program fully affiliated with one or more doctoral programs? No
Is this program partially affiliated with one or more doctoral programs? No
Internship Application Process
Accepting Applicants: Yes
Application Due Date: 11/07/2022 11:59 PM EST
Interviews at this site are:
  • Virtual
Interview notification date: N/A
Tentative interview date: N/A
Interview process description:

The Selection Process:  Upon receipt of an application, the Director of Training conducts a preliminary review for completeness.  Intern selection involves the entire psychology training staff.  The applicant is expected to have a strong theoretical background that is based upon the scientific foundation of clinical psychology.  They are also expected to be able to communicate well in written and oral forms, have experience in individual and group therapies, and overall experiences that fit well with this VA medical center program.  The psychology training staff reviews applications and offers interviews to a percent of the applicant based on their applications.  Applicants will be notified by December 2, 2022, via e-mail, whether they will be offered an interview or are unlikely to be in the pool of applicants who will be placed on the APPIC rank list for potential internship offers.  Virtual interviews will be offered during one date in November 2022; two dates in December 2022, and two dates in January 2023 . Interviews are scheduled in two 30-minute individual sessions with two staff members and one current intern.  In addition, an optional virtual open house will be offered, which will include an overview of the program and a question and answer session with the current intern cohort.  The open house event and the interview will allow time for the applicant to get a good sense of the program and facility.  This allows determination for a good “fit” for both applicant goals and the program’s format.  Accommodations (telephonic interviews) are made for applicants that are unable to access video teleconferencing. 
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: 2021-22 Palo Alto University 2021-22 University of Montana 2021-22 University of Colorado 2021-22 Clark University 2020-21 Pacific University School of Graduate Psychology 2020-21 Catholic University of America 2020-21 Central Michigan University 2020-21 University of Southern Mississippi 2019-20 Carlos Albizu University-Miami 2019-20 Carlos Albizu University-San Juan 2019-20 Alliant/CSPP-Los Angeles 2019-20 Tennessee State University 2018-19 Adler University-Chicago 2018-19 University of Arizona 2018-19 Alliant IU/CSPP-San Francisco 2018-19 Roosevelt University 2017-2018 Wayne State University 2017-2018 University of Kansas 2017-2018 Wisconsin School of Professional Psychology 2017-2018 University of Utah 2016-2017 University of North Texas 2016-2017 Marquette University 2016-2017 Pepperdine University 2016-2017 Pacific Graduate School of Psychology
Internship Applicant Requirements
US Citizenship Required: Yes
If NOT a U.S. Citizen, Authorization to Work or to Engage in Practical Training (CPT or OPT) in the US is Required: No
Canadian Citizenship Required: No
If NOT a Canadian Citizen, Authorization to Work in Canada or to Engage in Practical Training (CPT or OPT) in Canada is Required: No
Masters Degree Required: No
Comprehensive Exams Passed: Yes, by ranking deadline
Dissertation Proposal Approved: Yes, by ranking deadline
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable): 500
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable):
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable):
Minimum Number of Years of Grad Training Required (if applicable): 3
Accepted / Not-Accepted Program Types
Clinical Psychology Accepted
Counseling Psychology Accepted
School Psychology Not Accepted
APA-Accredited Accepted
CPA-Accredited Accepted
PCSAS-Accredited
Non-Accredited Not Accepted
Ph.D Degree Accepted
Psy.D. Degree Accepted
Ed.D. Degree Not Accepted
This institution, department, internship, or postdoctoral program requires trainees to sign a statement about personal behavior and/or religious beliefs as a condition of admission and/or retention in the program: No
How to obtain text of statement:
Other Requirements: 1. Total of 500 hours (intervention AND assessment) prior to start of internship 2. Completion of at least 5 integrated testing reports with adults
Program Description

The internship strongly emphasizes empirically supported treatments.  Rotations offered include:

  • Acute Psychology (Inpatient Mental Health Clinic)
  • Chronic Pain Clinic - Currently on hold
  • Home Based Primary Care
  • IBCT/Couples
  • Outpatient Mental Health (which may include PSTD and/or Military Sexual Trauma)
  • Primary Care-Mental Health Integration
  • Residential Rehabilitation and Treatment Program-PTSD or PTSD/Substance Abuse
  • Southwest Blind Rehabilitaton
  • Neuropsychology
  • Community Living Center (Hospice and Long Term Care) - Currently on hold

Supplemental experience is offered in LGBTQ+ with participation in the Transgender e-consult committee.

Other areas possible pending staffing: Military Sexual Assault, Polytrauma, PTSD Clinical Team. Integrated in a number of rotations is trauma care.

Interns attend weekly didactics, which includes an assessment seminar and a monthly Psychology Education Series with Phoenix VA Health Care System. A national VA diversity didactic series is also offered monthly. Assessment education is provided via didactics and in individual supervision. Interns further develop their assessment abilities through completing assessments on their rotations, as well as in additional settings when available (e.g., assessments related to bariatric surgery, transplants, gender dysphoria). A professional development seminar, along with individual professional development meetings, provide support to interns as they work towards successful completion of internship and development of professional identity. Supplemental educational opportunities are announced as available throughout the training year.

Please see the brochure for a complete description of the rotations and program offerings.

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations
Children:
Adolescents:
Adults: Yes
Family: Yes
Older Adults: Yes
Inpatients: Yes
Outpatients: Yes
Gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender: Yes
Ethnic minorities: Yes
Spanish-speaking: Yes
French-speaking:
Deaf/Hearing-impaired: Yes
Students:
International Students:
Rural: Yes
Urban: Yes
Low income: Yes
Homelessness: Yes
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment: EXPERIENCE (21% to 30%)
Individual Therapy: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Couples Therapy: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Family Therapy: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Group Therapy: EMPHASIS (31% to 49%)
Community Intervention:
Consultation/Liaison: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Crisis Intervention:
Brief Psychotherapy: EXPERIENCE (21% to 30%)
Long-term Psychotherapy: EXPERIENCE (21% to 30%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Primary Care: EXPERIENCE (21% to 30%)
Evidenced Based Practice: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Evidence Based Research:
Supervision of Practicum students :
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Women's Health: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Sexual Disorders:
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Physical Disabilities: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Learning Disabilities:
Developmental Disabilities:
Assessment: EXPERIENCE (21% to 30%)
Neuropsychology-Adult: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Neuropsychology-Child:
Serious Mental Illness: EMPHASIS (31% to 49%)
Anxiety Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Trauma/PTSD: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Sexual Abuse: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Substance Use Disorders: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Forensics/Corrections:
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling:
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Feminist Therapy: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Religion/Spirituality: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Empirically-Supported Treatments: Major Area of Study (50% or Greater)
Public Policy/Advocacy:
Program Development/Evaluation: EXPERIENCE (21% to 30%)
Supervision: EXPERIENCE (21% to 30%)
Research:
Administration:
Integrated health care - primary: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Integrated health care - specialty: EXPOSURE (1% to 20%)
Other:

 

 

Additional information about training opportunities: Not all rotations or training experiences may be available as described in the APPIC Directory. Please consult the program's application materials or their website at: https://www.tucson.va.gov/careers/PsychologyTraining/Psychology_Training.asp   for a complete description of the training opportunities available at this training site. IF the site has not updated their information by August 1, feel free to contact the Training Director for additional information.

Summary of the Characteristics of the Specified Internship Class
2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023
Number of Completed Applications: 74 52 144 65 44 50
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 42 40 40 44 18 21
Total number of interns: 4 4 4 4 4 4
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 4 4 4 4 4 4
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 3 1 3 3 4 1
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 1 3 1 1 0 3
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 2 4 3 3 4 4
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 2 0 1 1 0 0
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 8 1 0 6 5 4
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 131 12 40 56 23 45
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022
Working on dissertation/Student: 1 0 1 0 1 0
Postdoctoral Fellow: 2 3 3 4 2 4
Community Mental Health Center: 1 0 0 0 0 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Veteran's Affairs Medical Center: 2 3 2 0 1 0
Military Medical Center: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Private General Hospital: 0 0 0 0 0 0
General Hospital: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Other Medical Center: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Private Psychiatric Hospital: 0 0 0 0 0 0
State/County/Other Public Hospital: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Correctional Facility: 0 0 0 0 0 0
School District/System: 0 0 0 0 0 0
University Counseling Center: 0 0 0 0 0 0
University Teaching Faculty: 1 0 1 0 0 0
2 or 4 year Undergraduate Teaching Position: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Medical School: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Academic Non-Teaching Position: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Research Position: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Independent Practice: 0 1 1 0 0 0
Other (e.g. consulting): 0 0 0 0 0 0
Not Currently Employed: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Changed to Other Career Field: 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown: 0 0 0 0 0 0
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