Aims & Competencies

Aims

The aims of the Oregon State Hospital Psychology Internship Program is:

• To provide comprehensive and individualized clinical training
• In evidence-based assessment and treatment
• That emphasizes the unique strengths and that addresses the needs of people in recovery from serious mental illness and
• That prepares professional psychologists to work effectively with forensically-involved patients and other stakeholders.

Profession-Wide Competencies and Learning Elements

OSH-PIP provides comprehensive training in evidence-based assessment and treatment over the course of a full-time training year. It is expected that by the conclusion of the internship year, interns will have accomplished the following profession-wide competencies and program elements:

Profession-Wide Competency 1 – Research

Interns will achieve competence appropriate to their professional developmental level in the area of Research.
Learning Elements related to this competency include the achievement of competency in the following:

• To competently discuss relevant research with colleagues
• To critically evaluate and utilize relevant research in evidence-based practice
• To effectively design and/or implement program evaluations

Profession-Wide Competency 2 – Ethical and Legal Standards

Interns will achieve competence appropriate to their professional developmental level in the area of Ethical and Legal Standards.
Learning Elements related to this competency include the achievement of competence in the following:

• To demonstrate knowledge of and act in accordance with the current version of the APA ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct
• To demonstrate knowledge of and act in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, rules, and policies governing health services psychology at the organizational, local, state, regional, and federal levels
• To demonstrate knowledge of and act in accordance with the APA specialty guidelines for forensic psychology

Profession-Wide Competency 3 –  Individual and Cultural Diversity

Interns will achieve competence appropriate to their professional developmental level in the area of Individual and Cultural Diversity
Learning Elements related to this competency include the achievement of competence in the following:

• To be able to develop an adequate level of rapport with most patients and, when applicable, their families
• To demonstrate sensitivity to diversity including those whose group membership, demographic characteristics, and/or worldviews create conflict with their own
• To develop an awareness of one’s own cultural history, attitudes, and biases, and how that may affect their interactions with individuals different from themselves
• To demonstrate knowledge of the current theoretical and empirical knowledge base as it relates to professional practice
• To demonstrate the ability apply a theoretical framework for working effectively with areas of individual and cultural diversity not previously encountered

Profession-Wide Competency 4 – Professional Values and Attitudes

Interns will achieve competence appropriate to their professional developmental level in the area of Professional Values and Attitudes
Learning Elements related to this competency include the achievement of competence in the following:

• Behave in ways that reflect the values and attitudes of professional practice in psychology (e.g. concern for the welfare of others)
• To engage in activities that promote professional self-awareness and reflection
• To demonstrate openness and responsiveness to feedback and supervision
• To actively seek out and participate in learning opportunities
• To demonstrate professional conduct and interpersonal behavior
• To demonstrate an ability to examine and evaluate the quality and effectiveness of one’s own clinical work
• To utilize appropriate self-care

Profession-Wide Competency 5 – Communication and Interpersonal Skills

Interns will achieve competence appropriate to their professional developmental level in the area of Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Learning Elements related to this competency include the achievement of competence in the following:

• To develop and maintain effective relationships with colleagues and various stakeholders
• To provide clear, effective written communication in a variety of contexts
• To demonstrate a thorough grasp of professional language and concepts
• To display respectful and professional interpersonal skills
• To demonstrate the ability to manage difficult communications well

Profession-Wide Competency 6 – Evidence Based Practice in Assessment

Interns will achieve competence appropriate to their professional developmental level in the area of Evidence-Based Practice in Assessment.
Learning Elements related to this competency include the achievement of competence in the following:

• To collect relevant data using multiple sources and appropriate methods based upon the referral question
• To develop and demonstrate accurate diagnostic skills including considerations of diversity
• To select and administer appropriate psychological tests that draw from the best available empirical literature and sound psychometrics
• To  demonstrate the ability to accurately and efficiently score and interpret psychological test measures
• To form objective clinical opinions and recommendations
• To demonstrate the ability to utilize assessment writing skills to efficiently produce accurate, high quality, and useful reports
• To provide feedback and communicate findings to relevant stakeholders in a clear, accurate, and conceptually appropriate manner

Profession-Wide Competency 7 – Evidence Based Practice in Intervention

Interns will achieve competence appropriate to their professional developmental level in the area of Evidence-Based Practice in Intervention
Learning Elements related to this competency include the achievement of competence in the following:

• To establish and maintain effective relationships with patients
• To develop evidence-based intervention plans specific to the service delivery goals
• To implement interventions informed by the current scientific literature, assessment findings, diversity characteristics, and contextual variables
• To demonstrate the ability to apply the relevant research literature to clinical decision-making
• To modify and adapt evidence-based approaches effectively when necessary
• To evaluate intervention effectiveness, and adapt intervention goals and methods when necessary

Profession-Wide Competency 8 – Supervision

Interns will achieve competence appropriate to their professional developmental level in the area of Supervision
Learning Elements related to this competency include the achievement of competence in the following:

• To demonstrate knowledge of effective supervision
• To demonstrate application of best practices in providing clinical supervision to psychology trainees

Profession-Wide Competency 9 – Consultation and Interprofessional/Interdisciplinary Skills

Interns will achieve competence appropriate to their professional developmental level in the area of Consultation and Interprofessional/Interdisciplinary Skills
Learning Elements related to this competency include the achievement of competence in the following:

• To demonstrate knowledge and respect for the roles and perspectives of other professions
• To effectively provide consultation to other professionals regarding psychological issues
• To function effectively in multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary context

The Sternwheeler Willamette Queen moored at Riverfront Park in Salem, Oregon            Photo by: Ian Sane Sourse: WikiCommons