Pediatric Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship

Our program focuses on clinical training in pediatric psychology, with an emphasis on evidence-based practice. Our goal is to produce excellent clinical psychologists who can:

• Function independently as psychologists in a medical center and/or outpatient practice setting, providing evidence-based psychological assessment and treatment to children with a variety of medical and psychological conditions
• Acquire state licensure to practice psychology (fellowship meets criteria for licensure in Ohio)
• Possess the requisite knowledge and skills to pursue board certification in Child Clinical and Adolescent Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology

Fellows choose their focus of training based on their interest and career goals. 

Our program focuses on clinical training in pediatric psychology, with an emphasis on evidence-based practice, which is consistent with a scholar-practitioner model of training. A list of specific objectives and competencies is available upon request. Fellows are evaluated on progress towards competencies quarterly.  A copy of the evaluation form is available upon request. Information regarding grievances and due process is also available upon request. 

Fellows pursue:

• Advanced training in pediatric psychology through core curriculum and general training objectives.
• Specialty training in clinical areas of interest through Individualized Training Plan and training activities

In addition to clinical rotations, Akron Children’s pediatric psychology fellows participate in weekly didactics, a professional development seminar, scientific and professional presentations and complete a research project.

Training occurs at the Akron campus, and fellows complete training on the inpatient medical floors and the medical ambulatory setting.

We provide you with a variety of clinical opportunities to strengthen your training. You'll alternate in providing coverage for our inpatient behavioral medicine consultation/liaison service and select up to 4 additional clinical rotations to meet your individual professional goals.

Options include:

• Pediatric hematology-oncology
• Pediatric palliative care
• Epilepsy monitoring/treatment program
• Pediatric physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Behavioral feeding disorders
• Neuropsychological assessment program
• Autism diagnostic clinic
• School success program
• Pediatric endocrinology
• Pediatric obesity
• Headache
• Tic and Tourette's services
• Behavioral sleep medicine
• Eating disorders

Other rotations may be available based on your interest and professional goals.

You will receive 3 hours each week of didactics specific to professional development, pediatric psychology and group supervision/case conceptualization.

Topics include:

• Licensure and board certification in clinical child psychology
• Psychological assessment: Interviewing and clinical diagnosis
• Evidence-based treatment in child/pediatric psychology
• Consultation/liaison services
• Research and other forms of scholarly inquiry
• Program evaluation or quality improvement
• Organization, management and administration issues pertinent to psychological service delivery and practice, training and research
• Professional conduct; ethics and law; and other standards for providers of psychological services
• Issues of cultural and individual diversity relevant to the field of psychology
• Advanced diagnosis and treatment
• Supervision skills

Additional educational opportunities include:

• Pediatric Grand Rounds
• Psychiatry Fellowship Seminars
• Research Seminar Series
• Pediatric Palliative Care Curriculum
• NeuroDevelopmental Science Center Journal Club/Case Conference
• Neuropsychology Neuroanatomy / Case Conference Series
• Schwartz Rounds

Stipends

(Effective July 1, 2020)

PL-1 $61,139
PL-2 $63,176

Vacation

All house officers are granted 3 weeks of vacation or 15 customary working days.

Conference Time

• Fellows are entitled to 5 days of conference time each year for medical conventions and courses outside the hospital.
• Educational Allowance
• Fellows are provided $1,200 annually for use toward medical-related journals or books, conferences, and license renewals. 

Research and Scholarship Travel

The Department of Pediatrics encourages and supports investigator-initiated research by subspecialty fellows. Therefore, the Department supports research-related travel when the fellow is in good academic and professional standing, and when prior written approval of the program director is documented. All hospital policies relating to travel must be followed. 

Although the policy relates to presentation at a national forum, requests for support for presentation at a regional forum are considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Health Benefits

Fellows, and their dependents are eligible to enroll in the hospital’s health, dental, and vision insurance programs. Costs are shared between the fellow and the hospital. 

Short- and long-term disability benefits are provided. In addition, the hospital provides Group Term Life Insurance and dependent life insurance is available.

Professional Liability

Professional liability insurance is provided for each fellow by the hospital.

Parking

A key access card for convenient parking is provided at no charge.

Lab Coats

One embroidered lab coat is provided if desired.

Relocation expenses

The hospital provides reimbursement for initial relocation expenses, up to $1,000, subject to current tax laws.

Administrative Support

Fellows receive administrative support for onboarding, PTO requests, travel reimbursement through the Medical Education Office at Akron Children’s as well as the Program Coordinator,  Rachel Fisher (rfisher@chmca.org).

Other

Fellows share an office in the Division of Psychology. Each fellow is provided with a laptop, email, and desk phone with voicemail.  Fellows have access to printers and copiers. 

Program Director

Applicants for Akron Children’s pediatric psychology fellowship training program will submit a letter of interest, CV, three letters of reference, and an official graduate transcript through the Centralized Application Portal. http://www.appic.org/AAPI-APPA/APPA-Postdoc-Application-Information#APP

The deadline for applications is midnight on December 4.

Eligible candidates will have completed an APA-accredited doctoral psychology training program in clinical, counseling or school psychology, and an APA- or CPA-accredited predoctoral internship program prior to beginning fellowship. Akron Children's is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

All interviews will be conducted virtually and will occur during the final weeks of January.  We will be adhering to the Common Hold Date as recommended by APPIC.

Questions can be directed to:

Kevin Triemstra, PhD
Pediatric Psychology Fellowship Director
Lois and John Orr Behavioral Health Center
Department of Pediatric Psychiatry and Psychology
One Perkins Square
Akron, OH  44308
Phone: 330-543-3073
Ktriemstra@akronchildrens.org

Michelle Burgner
Pediatric Psychology Fellowship Coordinator
mburgner@akronchildrens.org

Additional contacts:

Shana Schuler, PhD, ABPP
Associate Director, Pediatric Psychology Fellowship
Pediatric Psychologist
sschuler@akronchildrens.org

Mallory Zehe, PsyD
Associate Director of Pediatric Psychology Fellowship
Pediatric Psychologist
mzehe@akronchildrens.org