INTERNSHIP EXPECTATIONS

Profession-Wide Competencies and Learning Elements

The goals of the internship are that By the end of the training year, Interns will have achieved competency in each of the APA Profession Wide Competencies, demonstrating that they are prepared for independent practice and licensure. These competencies and the learning elements associated with each are listed below:

Profession-Wide Comptency 1: Interns will achieve competence in the area of Intervention

a.      Establishes and maintains effective relationships with recipients of psychological services

b.      Develops evidence-based intervention plans

c.      Implements interventions informed by the current scientific literature, assessment findings, diversity characteristics, and contextual variables

d.      Demonstrates the ability to apply the relevant research literature to clinical decision making

e.      Modifies and adapts evidence-based  approaches effectively when a clear evidence-base is lacking

f.       Evaluates intervention effectiveness and adapts goals and methods consistent with ongoing evaluation

Profession-Wide Competency 2:  Interns will achieve competence in the area of Assessment

a.      Demonstrates current knowledge of diagnostic classification systems, functional and dysfunctional behaviors, including consideration of client strengths and psychopathology

b.      Demonstrates understanding of human behavior within its context (e.g., family, social, societal, and cultural)

c.      Demonstrates the ability to apply the knowledge of functional and dysfunctional behaviors including context to the assessment and/or diagnostic process

d.      Selects and applies assessment methods that draw from the best available empirical literature

e.      Collects relevant data using multiple sources and methods appropriate to the identified goals and questions of the assessment as well as relevant diversity characteristics of the client

f.       Interprets assessment results to inform case conceptualization, classification, and recommendations

g.      Communicates findings in an accurate and effective manner sensitive to a range of audiences

Profession-Wide Competency 3:  Interns will achieve competence in the area of Ethical and Legal Standards

a.      Demonstrates knowledge of and acts in accordance with the APA Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct

b.      Demonstrates knowledge of and acts in accordance with all organizational, local, state, and federal laws, regulations, rules, and policies relevant to health service psychologists

c.      Demonstrates knowledge of and acts in accordance with all professional standards and guidelines\

d.      Recognizes ethical dilemmas as they arise and applies ethical decision-making processes in order to resolve them

e.      Conducts self in an ethical manner in all professional activities

Profession-Wide Competency 4:  Interns will achieve competence in the area of Cultural and Individual Diversity

a.      Demonstrates an understanding of how one’s own personal/cultural history, attitudes, and biases may affect how one understands and interacts with people different from oneself

b.      Demonstrates knowledge of the current theoretical and empirical knowledge base as it relates to diversity

c.      Integrates knowledge of individual and cultural differences in the conduct of professional roles

d.      Demonstrates the ability to independently apply their knowledge and approach in working effectively with the range of diverse individuals and groups encountered during internship

e.      Demonstrates the ability to work effectively with individuals whose group membership, demographic characteristics, or worldviews may differ from their own

Profession-Wide Competency 5:  Interns will achieve competence in the area of Research

a.      Demonstrates the substantially independent ability to critically evaluate research

b.      Demonstrates the substantially independent ability to disseminate research or other scholarly activities via professional publication or presentation at the local, regional or national level

Profession-Wide Competency 6:  Interns will achieve competence in the area of Professional Values, Attitudes, and Behaviors

a.      Behaves in ways that reflect the values and attitudes of psychology

b.      Engages in self-reflection regarding personal and professional functioning

c.      Demonstrates openness and responsiveness to feedback and supervision

d.      Responds professionally n increasingly complex situations with a greater degree of independence as they progress across levels of training

Profession-Wide Competency 7:  Interns will achieve competence in the area of Interprofessional and Interdisciplinary Consultation

a.      Demonstrates knowledge and respect for the roles and perspectives of other professions

b.      Applies knowledge about consultation in direct or simulated (e.g., role played) consultation

Profession-Wide Competency 8:  Interns will achieve competence in the area of Supervision

a.      Demonstrates knowledge of supervision models and practices

b.      Applies knowledge of supervision in direct or simulated practice with psychology trainees or other health professionals

Profession-Wide Competency 9:  Interns will achieve competence in the area of Communication and Interpersonal Skills

a.      Develops and maintains effective relationships with a wide range of individuals, including colleagues, communities, organizations, supervisors, supervisees, and those receiving professional services

b.      Produces and comprehends oral, nonverbal, and written communications that are informative and well-integrated

c.      Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills

d.      Demonstrates the ability to manage difficult communication well