Year 1

• Major rotation in pediatric neuropsychology
• Graduate Medical Education curriculum as needed
• Twenty-four hours of assessment per week are required. These typically consist of three outpatient evaluations per week and one to two inpatient evaluations per month; Residents conduct their own testing on one of these per week.
• Psychotherapy/intervention cases according to Resident’s interests that could involve cases from outpatient rehabilitation including cognitive rehabilitation therapy
• 2 minor elective rotations over the course of the year (see below)
• Submission of a small study/abstract (e.g., archival or part of faculty members’ research program) or literature review for presentation and publication in the first year. Outline of original research project, grant proposal or outcome assessment written in first year and carried out in second year. Presentation at national or international meetings is encouraged and supported.

Year 2

The composition of this year depends on the resident's clinical interests and career trajectory. This additional year could be utilized for further clinical subspecialization.

• Continued major rotation in pediatric neuropsychology
• Two minor elective rotations over the course of the year
• Conduct and complete original research including paper submitted for publication
• Continue psychotherapy patient caseload or devote more time to the neuropsychological consultation service.

Clinical

Major Rotation:

• Pediatric Neuropsychology Clinic (Outpatient and Inpatient)

Elective Rotations:

• Rehabilitation Psychology
• Headache Clinic/Pain Biofeedback
• Neurology Clinic
• School Success Program
• Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
• Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics and Tourette’s Clinic (CBIT)
• EEG Clinic
• Neuroradiology Clinic
• Neurosurgery Clinic
• Neurogenetics Clinic
• Early Childhood & Autism Clinic/Developmental Pediatrics Clinic
• Down’s Syndrome Clinic
• Turner’s Syndrome Clinic
• Epilepsy Surgery Program
• Neuromuscular Program
• Neonatal Follow-up Clinic
• Neuro-Oncology Clinic
• Lead Clinic
• Neurofibromatosis Clinic
• Tuberous Sclerosis Clinic
• Medical Coping Clinic

Research opportunities

Research is an important component of this residency, with residents expected to devote 10-20% of their time in order to take advantage of the rich research opportunities provided within the educational and research programs of the NDSC. This can be accomplished through a variety of means including archival studies and involvement within current IRB research protocols. Some of the research opportunities are detailed below in the selected faculty section.

Educational activities (Both years)

Seminars:

Professional Development Seminar (required) – this seminar occurs weekly and is given in conjunction with the APPIC-Member Pediatric Psychology Fellowship. Topics are generated, evaluated, and updated each year based on competency requirements, Residents’ needs, and timeliness/relevance for their professional development. The speakers involve a rotation of faculty presenters and guest speakers as well as an opportunity for each Resident to present job talks and research projects for supportive critique from and discussion with faculty. (1 hour)

Neuroanatomy Review Series (required) – this series occurs weekly for the first six months of each year of the Fellowship. In the first year, residents present with relevant faculty on different systems of Central Nervous System (CNS) to all trainees, including neuropsychology externs, psychology externs, Pediatric Psychology Residents, Psychiatry Residents, and Developmental Behavioral Pediatric Residents. In the second year, Residents take more responsibility for each presentation and lead the discussion. (1 hour)

Behavioral Neuroscience Seminar (required) – this weekly Seminar replaces the Neuroanatomy Review Series in the last six months of the training year. Each year topics are chosen to provide relevant information about different CNS disorders, and the talks are presented by faculty or guest speakers. Residents are participants unless there is a specific topic that they would like to present to all trainees.  (1 hour)

Pediatric Neuropsychology Case Conference (required) – this hour long, weekly didactic involves case presentation done by fact finding method as a mock group oral exam in preparation for ABPP Certification in Clinical Neuropsychology. However, multiple disciplines participate and contribute to the discussion. Many of the cases reflect the application of topics presented in the Neuroanatomy Series and Behavioral Neuroscience Seminar. Residents are participants in their first year and the first part of the second year. In the last six months of the second year, the Residents present with a neuropsychology faculty member. (1 hour)

Clinical Neuropsychology Intensive Seminar (required) – this monthly seminar focuses on specific areas of neuropsychology (lifespan) to ensure that all Residents have competency in knowledge that will be assessed on the written Clinical Neuropsychology ABPP exam and on the yearly Residency Exam (produced by APPCN). Topics have included dementia, psychology of aging, advanced statistics, advanced report writing, psychometrics in neuropsychology, cultural competency, and neuroimaging. (1 hour)

Schwartz Rounds (optional but encouraged) -this quarterly offering is based on compassionate caregiving and offers a hospital-wide structured forum where all staff, clinical and non-clinical, come together regularly to discuss the emotional and social aspects of working in healthcare. The purpose of Rounds is to understand the challenges and rewards that are intrinsic to providing care, not to solve problems or to focus on the clinical aspects of patient care. (1 hour)

Pediatric Grand Rounds (as relevant) – Grand Rounds occur monthly and are open to all Department of Pediatrics physicians, advanced practice providers, psychologists, and psychology/neuropsychology trainees at the hospital. (1 hour)

Cleveland Clinic Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds (as relevant) – these Grand Rounds occur quarterly and are held jointly with Cleveland Clinic Department of Psychiatry. Topics range from lifespan behavioral health disorders and evidenced-based treatment to ethical and legal issues associated with behavioral health practice. (1.5-hour)

Neuroradiology Rounds (as desired) – optional attendance and observation are encouraged and open to all Akron Children’s Medical Staff and are presented by the Neuroradiology Department. Noon conferences are typically given by a resident or attending.  Resident-driven morning conferences are held weekly for an hour.  Approximately, once a month, pediatric radiology lectures are given by faculty at Akron Children's lasting a half day.

Courses:

Graduate Medical Education Curriculum (as needed) – ACGME at Akron Children’s and North East Ohio Medical School (NEOMED) offer research courses, wellness activities, professional development seminars, and support meetings. All Residents have opt-out confidential counseling offered free of charge. 

Clinical activities:

Clinical activities are supervised service delivery experiences that promote the development of clinical interview skills, case conceptualization, neuropsychological test administration and scoring, neuropsychological evaluation report writing, communication with interprofessionals or agencies, intervention, and verbal communication of results and recommendations to families and patients. These activities are completed by direct clinical service to patients aged four weeks to approximately 26 years of age with known or suspected CNS disorders or diseases that impact CNS functioning.  Occasionally, there is opportunity for involvement in cases with older adults with mitochondrial disorders or white matter disease given the lifespan approach of some supervisors. Other clinical activities include participation in telehealth intake and service delivery, consultation with school personnel via virtual meetings, observation of depositions, psychotherapy caseload (in person and telehealth).

Teaching requirements

The Resident makes regular teaching contributions to the weekly Neuroanatomy Review series. In the first year, Residents present with relevant faculty on different systems of Central Nervous System (CNS) to all trainees. In the second year, Residents take more responsibility for each presentation by adding to or creating the PowerPoint and leading the discussion. There are also opportunities for participation on the Neurodevelopmental Science Center’s Research and Education Committee, leading a journal article review conference with trainees or other providers, and educating families on resources.

Supervision

Supervision is an interactive educational experience between the resident and the supervisor that is (a) evaluative and hierarchical, (b) is developmental, (c) extends over time, and (d) simultaneously enhances the professional functioning of the trainee and monitors the quality of health service neuropsychology services. The resident meets individually for formal/regularly scheduled and face-to-face supervision on a weekly basis with a clinical supervisor for at least two hours per week and daily for informal supervision as the case(s) dictates or need arises. The Resident initially observes the supervisor in all activities of patients care (e.g., intake or clinical interview, feedback with families, consultation with other healthcare providers, billing, documentation in the electronic medical record [EMR], office procedures) during the first year of the Fellowship. During the second year of the fellowship, the resident gradually begins to perform these activities under the direct observation of the supervisor and then moves to more independent service provision under indirect supervision while the supervisor is still onsite and accessible. When a Resident has multiple supervisors, the minimum of one hour per week per supervisor is met. Neuropsychology residents do not bill for services or complete documentation in the EMR. The Resident is not used to meet clinical service goals of the supervisors or the program.  The Resident also meets regularly at least once per month with a research supervisor and/or minor rotation supervisor. There are also at least four hours of structured educational activities per week and group supervision. There are also opportunities for umbrella training and work supervision of neuropsychology externs and psychometrists, respectively. All supervisors are on the Akron Campus of Akron Children’s and are full-time at least 40 hours per week.

Expectations of residents

Minimal Clinical Expectations

The primary training method of the fellowship is experiential (i.e., learning via delivery of clinical services). This experiential training includes socialization into the profession of neuropsychology (through supervision, training seminars, role modeling, co-interviews and feedbacks, and observation during interdisciplinary team meetings) and is augmented by other appropriately integrated modalities, such as mentoring, didactic exposure, observational/vicarious learning, and supervisory or consultative guidance. Weekly expectations are based on 1.0 FTE, with variability for Residents at different levels of clinical appointment.

Residents work five days per week. Hours worked per week vary but are generally 40-45, depending on case load, special interests, and research expectations. Residents are considered hospital employees and must follow all policies and procedures of the hospital.

Satisfactory completion of the postdoctoral training program meets postdoctoral supervised practice requirements for licensure and for early acceptance for ABPP (bypass credentials review) written examination due to the APPCN status of the Fellowship.

Professional Conduct

Residents are expected to conform to the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct in the execution of their duties. They are bound by the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, Ohio State Psychology Law and Rules, and the policies and procedures of Akron Children’s. A Resident may be dismissed because of gross violations of the law or of the APA Code of Ethics. Dismissal will occur only after the completion of appropriate grievance and/or due process procedures.

It is important to note that Ohio Psychology Law and Rules state that the APA code of ethics “shall be used as aids in resolving ambiguities…” BUT “…these rules [Ohio’s rules]…. shall prevail whenever any conflict exists between these rules and the APA code of ethics.”   Therefore, you must become familiar with the stipulations regarding professional conduct in the Ohio Psychology Law & Rules.

As a clinical staff member of Akron Children’s, the Resident is subject to all hospital administrative and clinical care policies. The Resident is considered a full-time employee of Akron Children’s and is subject to all personnel policies of Akron Children’s.

Confidentiality

The Resident is expected to understand and comply with federal and state laws and rules regarding use of confidential information. Confidentiality is defined not simply as a legal necessity but also as an integral component of the client-professional relationship. The Resident is expected to behave in ways that fully conforms with APA and Ohio Board of Psychology standards for the protection of every client’s right to confidentiality. 

Psychology License

Fellows are expected to obtain a psychology license at the conclusion of training.