Gastroenterology Externship

This position offers opportunities to participate in a range of multidisciplinary outpatient clinics and services at the main hospital and/or outpatient centers under the direct clinical supervision of Lisa Opipari-Arrigan, Ph.D., and Shayna Coburn, Ph.D.:

• Functional GI Disorders Clinic: (Fridays 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at the main hospital) Offers multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment of pediatric patients with a range of disorders of the gut-brain axis. Patients are seen by a gastroenterologist, psychologist, pain medicine specialist and psychologist. Common referral questions for consultation and outpatient therapy include coping with chronic pain, anxiety, depression and rumination.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic: (Thursdays 1-5 p.m. at the main hospital) Provides evaluation and treatment of newly diagnosed and complex pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Patients are seen by a range of specialists including a gastroenterologist, nurse, psychologist, dietitian and social worker. Consultation and outpatient therapy addresses coping with chronic illness, adherence, procedural anxiety and depression.
• Encopresis Clinical Service: (Thursdays or Fridays 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the main hospital) Provides outpatient therapy in combination with collaborative medical treatment for children with chronic constipation, stool withholding and soiling. 
• Celiac Disease Program: Provides multidisciplinary services to children and adolescents with celiac disease, an autoimmune condition that requires a strict gluten-free diet. Children attending the celiac disease clinic receive consultations from physicians, nurse educators, dietitians and psychologists. Common referral issues include anxiety about gluten exposure, adjustment to diagnosis, anxiety, depression and disordered eating. Potential experiences include: Consultations in the multidisciplinary Celiac Disease Clinic (Fridays 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Friendship Heights), outpatient therapy (Thursdays 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Montgomery County; Fridays 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Friendship Heights).

Applicants must be in at least the third year of a doctoral program and have prior practicum experience with child and adolescent assessment and therapy. Experience with pediatric populations is desired, but not required. Preference will be given to advanced doctoral students.

Up to two externs will be recruited for this externship.

Please email a letter of interest, CV/resume and two letters of recommendation to: 

• Lisa Opipari-Arrigan, Ph.D. | Email
• Shayna Coburn, Ph.D. | Email

• Children's National Hospital, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010
• Children's National Friendship Heights, 5028 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC 20016
• Montgomery County Outpatient Center, 9850 Key West Ave, Rockville, MD 20850

The extern will spend one or two days, eight to 16 hours per week, on Thursdays and/or Fridays.