PhD/PsyD Advice for Peds or Child Hospital Internships?

[psychegg]

For those of you who have successfully received an APPIC internship in pediatrics or child hospital settings, what factors made you competitive in your applications?

What types of practicums or externships did you complete before applying? Would you say a child inpatient or hospital practicum is necessary?

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[R. Matey]

Not a peds person, but have several peds friends. The ones I know who got competitive peds placements on internship completed multiple child pracs one of which included a hospital or AMC placement.

 

[Doctor Eliza]

Agree with the above. Internships like to see experience in the chosen setting. I found this quite unfair, as we were forced to work in the departmental clinic, making us fit for community mental health centers (only). I really wanted to do a college counseling center due to my research interests and interests in diversity, but they wouldn't give me the time of day without previous counseling center experience. Sorry. I feel I must complain about this whenever possible. But also I want to warn folks who are still in the practicum phase.

 

[oliversacks4thewin]

Peds person here, and I am involved in the selection/training committee for our hospital, so I review these applications. Publications and presentations are a fairly large focus, and can give you a leg up, especially if they are focused on major pediatric health issues (i.e.; diabetes, cancer, health disparities, etc.). Sites are competitive, so any prior history in pediatric settings (anything from family medicine to inpatient can be helpful, dependent on intent of setting for internship) is extremely helpful too. Experience working with other medical providers and use of EMR systems can also be of tremendous value. Strong essays are also heavily weighted, as they can sometimes be the difference maker between equally qualified applicants. Hope this helps!

Edit: It just occurred to me too that going and attending the "internship on parade" at SPPAC can also be really helpful for making connections:

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[R. Matey]

Agree with the above. Internships like to see experience in the chosen setting. I found this quite unfair, as we were forced to work in the departmental clinic, making us fit for community mental health centers (only). I really wanted to do a college counseling center due to my research interests and interests in diversity, but they wouldn't give me the time of day without previous counseling center experience. Sorry. I feel I must complain about this whenever possible. But also I want to warn folks who are still in the practicum phase.

I think this is a really important point. I've known some students who think they can specialize during internship so they apply for sites for which they have no prior experience.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I really wanted to do a college counseling center due to my research interests and interests in diversity, but they wouldn't give me the time of day without previous counseling center experience. Sorry. I feel I must complain about this whenever possible. But also I want to warn folks who are still in the practicum phase.

The struggle is real!! I too will still complain bc it stressed me out way back when.

I really wanted at least one hospital/medical facility experience during practicum, & I had to fight for it. I did the Uni assessment clinic my first yr, then got bumped on my 2nd year to a peds assessment bc the hospital supervisor left, so I made sure my 3rd placement worked (residential facility).

For any students still in training, make sure you advocate for training experiences that fit what you want to do. Admittedly, I learned a ton doing 2 mostly peds assessment placements, but the third practica I made sure to get a placement more in line with my goals of a medical setting & 18+. For internship I matched at a hospital w/o direct in-pt or rehab experience, likely bc I had a strong background in both assessment & severe pathology. You might not get your ideal placement, but definitely advocate for yourself starting in your first year.

FWIW, I ended up loving assessment & the peds training really helped strengthen my foundational developmental knowledge for my neuropsych career, but I was a bit behind w talk therapy…so on internship I had to do more hours of group & individual to satisfy my DCT’s standards.