The IDD Division of Psychology's Practicum training program emphasizes preparation for beginning to intermediate practice with youth with special health needs and their families. Training positions are designed to offer opportunities to establish competence in psychological assessment and treatment of youth with special health needs, including those with disabilities and those with chronic health conditions. Each year, approximately 10 full-time and 3 part-time year-long positions are available to students at four local graduate programs: 

• Pacific University
• University of Oregon
• George Fox University
• Lewis and Clark College

Training opportunities vary from year to year, based on faculty activities and clinic structures. Below are a few examples of practicum training opportunities offered. Please inquire with Dr. Mina Nguyen-Driver for current practicum positions.

• Neurodevelopmental Assessment Clinic: Initial or secondary evaluation of concerns with attention, hyperactivitity/impulsivity, and learning.
• Autism Clinic: Initial interdisciplinary diagnostic evaluation of concerns related to social engagement, repetitive behaviors, restricted interests and other indicators of a possible autism spectrum condition.
• Neuropsychology Clinic: Neuropsychological assessment for youth serviced by the Division of Pediatric Neurology; patients include those with post-trauma brain injury, seizure disorders, and other neurological conditions suspected of resulting in cognitive compromise.
• Diagnostic Intake Clinic: Focus is on conducting diagnostic intakes, including clinical interviews, in the context of a tertiary outpatient hospital setting (OHSU). Patient populations typically present with a variety of concerns, such as anxiety, behavioral problems (ODD, DBD) and ADHD.
• Fear and Anxiety Disorder Clinic: Delivering empirically supported treatment (ERP) for the anxiety disorders. Patient's present with a variety of anxiety related concerns including generalized separation and social anxiety disorders, OCD, phobias, selective mutism, PTSD and anxiety-related eating disorders (e.g., choking or vomiting phobias).
• Novel Intervention in Children's Healthcare (NICH): Implementation of intensive behavioral health that includes family-based problem solving, care coordination and case management.

For the Assessment practicum positions, students must have taken a course in child assessment. For the treatment practicum positions (NICH and Long-Term Follow-Up Clinic), students must have experience in treatment of children and adolescents. All students must be within 4-6 weeks of earning their Master's degree (Practicum II, III and Clinical Field Work) to be eligible for our positions, for the exception of Master level graduate students from Lewis and Clark who are applying to the NICH program. All interested applicants must submit an updated curriculum vita and writing sample. All practicum positions start on or around July 1st (as agreed upon in advance) and our positions are 12-months long (no exceptions). Trainees will be expected to successfully complete a drug screen, background check, provide proof of up-to-date immunizations and complete the OHSU-approved TB testing prior to starting; these services are not covered through OHSU. Additionally, trainees will be required to complete several OHSU-specific on-line trainings prior to patient contact. We offer 2 weeks of vacation (i.e., absence from clinic on 2 occasions for clinics meeting once a week; absence from clinic on 4 occasions for clinics meeting twice a week). Additional days off for professional development time, including interviews for internships, may be negotiated with each supervisor. Metered parking is available on the streets around OHSU, or students may buy a full-day parking permit for $14 per day. Trainees are eligible to purchase annual tri-met bus passes at significantly discounted rates through OHSU. In addition to the specific clinical training activities, all trainees are highly encouraged to participate in multiple non-required non-clinical training activities that include LEND seminars, research and scholarly activities, grand rounds and other didactics offered throughout OHSU.

Required before starting

1. Health insurance (note, the trainee must be prepared to provide proof, if requested)
2. Proof that trainee has passed a criminal background check (a letter stating this on the university's letterhead)
3. Proof of immunizations
4. Requirement that they demonstrate compliance with TB and influenza testing (the latter occurs in the fall, typically after the start of practicum training)
5. Liability insurance by home university with limits of at least $1,000,000 per occurrence and $3,000,000 annual aggregate (note, the student must provide proof, if requested)

For inquiries on specific practicum training positions available, please contact, Mina Nguyen-Driver, Psy.D., the Assistant Training Director for Practicum Training.