Neuropsychology Externship 2020-2021
Division of Neuropsychology 2020-2021 Brochure (PDF)
This advanced assessment externship, in the Division of Neuropsychology at Children’s National Hospital, is under the direction of Gerard Gioia, Ph.D., and includes faculty neuropsychologists, pediatric psychologists and post-doctoral fellows, as well as multiple predoctoral interns and externs.
Neuropsychology externs learn to administer neuropsychological tests, including measures of intelligence, attention, executive function, language, visual processing, learning and memory, social cognition, fine motor abilities and emotional adjustment. Externs are taught to interpret test data, formulate diagnoses and conceptualize each patient’s unique pattern of neuropsychological strengths and weaknesses, assist with report writing, and participate in parent feedback conferences when possible.
The externship is designed for students who are interested in developing advanced skills in child assessment, as well as those with specific interest in the specialty of pediatric neuropsychology. This service works in close consultation with Children's National physicians and several multidisciplinary teams. An extern may be involved in presenting neuropsychological findings and discussing cases with neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, speech/language pathologists and teachers.
Types of Positions
There are three types of positions available, all of which provide extensive neuropsychological assessment experience with different populations. There are also two positions available which are intervention/therapy focused within the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD). Learn more about the clinical externships in autism.
Number of Positions Offered
Approximately 22 externs (20 assessment, 2 therapy) will be accepted for the 2020-2021 training year.
Placement Opportunities
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The general neuropsychology placement, focuses on the evaluation of school-age children and adolescents with complex neurological and developmental disorders (e.g., complex learning disabilities, AD/HD, traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, brain tumor/leukemia, etc.).
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The second placement involves assessment and intervention for children and adolescents with concussions/mild traumatic brain injuries in the Safe Concussion Outcome, Recovery & Education (SCORE) Program. This program has a particular specialty in working with children and adolescents with sports-related concussions. The SCORE Program uses a primary care model to provide brief, focused evaluations that facilitate concussion management and monitoring throughout the recovery period. Clinical work in the SCORE Program includes follow-up communication and care coordination with schools, trainers and other medical professionals.
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The third placement involves working in the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD), completing neuropsychological evaluations of school-age children, adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder, most of whom have at least average intellectual abilities. This placement includes the opportunity to work as part of a multidisciplinary team including neuropsychology, developmental psychology, speech/language pathology and psychiatry.
Research
Opportunities to participate in clinically-based research may be available. Staff interests include, but are not limited to, executive function, epilepsy, concussion, neurofibromatosis, childhood cancers, memory and autism spectrum disorders.
Qualifications
The general neuropsychology and CASD neuropsychological evaluation track placements are advanced externships, and thus are most appropriate for students who:
- Are in their third year or beyond
- Have completed coursework in assessment
- Have had prior externship experience with testing and direct clinical experience with children.
The externship in the SCORE clinic and the CASD preschool evaluation and limited language evaluation tracks are appropriate for doctoral students at all levels of training who may have less assessment training or experience or have a particular interest in working with children and adolescents with mild traumatic brain injuries/concussions or sports-related injuries. The CASD intervention track is appropriate for students who already have treatment experience.
Time Requirements
Sixteen hours per week is required. This externship is a 12-month commitment, although under special circumstances (e.g., internship start date, etc.), alternative arrangements can be made in advance.
Location
Our main clinical location is the Montgomery County Regional Outpatient Center (ROC) in Rockville, MD, located eight miles north of the beltway (495). In addition, some patients are seen at the main hospital (Washington, DC), Howard County ROC, Friendship Heights ROC, Laurel ROC, Upper Marlboro ROC, Prince George's County ROC (coming in 2020), Takoma Park (coming in 2020) and Fairfax, VA locations. Externs may be placed at any one of those locations depending upon which faculty member they are matched with.
How to Apply
If you are interested in applying for the Neuropsychology Externship, a complete application consists of:
- A letter of interest
- In your letter of interest, please state which placement and experience (assessment or therapy) you are interested in being considered for (General, Autism, SCORE).
- Your CV/resume with a list of relevant coursework
- A list of tests administered and number of administrations
- Your contact information, which includes phone and e-mail
- Your academic transcript, which does not have to be official
- Two letters of recommendation
Please direct application materials to:
Leigh Pettenati
Program Coordinator, Neuropsychology
Children's National Hospital
Division of Pediatric Neuropsychology
15245 Shady Grove Road, Suite 350
Rockville, MD, 20850
Application Deadline
The final deadline for applications to the Division of Neuropsychology is January 31, 2020. Interviews are scheduled the last week of February. You will receive notification via email that your application has been received and if any additional materials are needed. Due to the high volume of calls received in the past, we request that you not call to confirm the status of your application.
Contact Information
For more information or questions about the Neuropsychology Externship, please contact: