1. THE POSTDOCTORAL MATCH Presented by Amy Heffelfinger, Ph.D., ABPP-CN aheffelfinger@mcw.edu

2. A Little About Me… Amy Heffelfinger, Ph.D., ABPP-CN Training Director at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) Lifespan program with 4 adult and 3 pediatric fellows APPCN program since its APPCN’s inception APA accredited fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology 3rd program to be accredited 13 years (2003) President Elect for the Association of Post-Doctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN) Chair of the Faculty Career Development Committee at MCW

3. Outline of this Talk I. Why should you do postdoctoral training to be a Clinical Neuropsychologist? II. What you need to do to prepare for postdoc III. Why the match? IV. Steps towards board certification with ABPP- AACN

4. I. WHY SHOULD YOU DO POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING TO BE A CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST?

5. Bottom Line: You have to.

6. What is a Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Training Program? History of Training Guidelines 1977: INS established Task Force on Education, Accreditation, and Credentialing in NP 1981: Task force published guidelines in a newsletter 1984: Guidelines approved by APA, Division 40 1987: Guidelines published in TCN

7. Original Guidelines Internship training Met minimal qualifications to practice CN ≥ 50% NP & ≥ 20% clinical Postdoc training (at least 2 years) Developed advanced competencies in CN Goal of board certification ≥ 50% NP & ≥ 25% research

8. Houston Conference Guidelines Houston Conference on Specialty Education and Training in Clinical Neuropsychology (1997) In 2010, the Inter-Organization Summit on Education and Training Online survey of neuropsychologists HC guidelines are widely adopted by training programs HC-adherent training associated with higher frequency endorsement of being well prepared

9. Houston Conference Guidelines Doctoral Level Generic psychology and clinical core Foundations of Neuropsychology Internship Level Completes general clinical training Extends training in Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Level Advanced education and training in Neuropsychology

10. Postdoctoral Training: Houston Conference Guidelines Goal is to complete the education and training necessary for independent practice of clinical neuropsychology (CN) Residency is a REQUIRED component in specialty education in CN The equivalent of 2 years of full-time education and training Residency MUST occur on at least a half-time basis

11. Taxonomy for Education and Training in Clinical Neuropsychology Doctoral 1 Internship 1 Postdoctoral 1 Post- licensure 1 Major Area of Study Minimum of 1) Three neuropsychology 2 courses, 2) two clinical neuropsychology practica 3, 3) additional coursework, practica, or didactics in clinical neuropsychology 4, AND 4) dissertation or research project in neuropsychology 1) At least 50% of training time in clinical neuropsychology AND 2) didactic experiences consistent with Houston Conference guidelines for knowledge 5 and skill 6. 11) Two-years full-time (or the equivalent) of formal training in clinical neuropsychology, with relevant didactic, clinical, and research activities (including assessment and intervention that incorporate neuropsychological theories, perspectives, or methods and exposure to related healthcare disciplines). N/A Emphasis 1) Two neuropsychology courses 2 AND 2) two clinical neuropsychology practica 3 >30% and <50% of experience in clinical neuropsychology supervised by a clinical neuropsychologist. N/A Experience 1) One or two neuropsychology course(s) 2 AND 2) one clinical neuropsychology practicum 3 >10% and <30% of supervised experience in clinical neuropsychology N/A Exposure1) One neuropsychology course 2 OR 2) one clinical neuropsychology practicum 3 5% - 10% of supervised experience in clinical neuropsychology and/or didactic training. N/AAny hours of CE in clinical neuropsych ology

12. Taxonomy at Postdoctoral Level Can only train to a Major Area of Study Two-years full-time (or the equivalent) of formal training in clinical neuropsychology, with relevant didactic, clinical, and research activities (including assessment and intervention that incorporate neuropsychological theories, perspectives, or methods and exposure to related healthcare disciplines).

13. Program Affiliations: Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN) - Mission: - To offer the highest quality competency-based residency training in clinical neuropsychology with an emphasis on preparation for future specialty board certification though the ABPP/ABCN. - History: - 1988, the Midwest Neuropsychology Consortium formed by postdoctoral training programs in the Midwest - In 1992, the MNC joined with others to form APPCN - In 1994, incorporated as a non-profit governed by a board of directors

14. APPCN Benefits to Programs Training guidelines Initial review of training program Ongoing access to resources; How-to manual, exams Ongoing support for programs Organized match Why are some programs not in APPCN? Greater emphasis on research than clinical Training program is not established; funding not consistent It is not necessary for training programs

15. APPCN-Member Programs: Criteria Duration of 2 years of postdoctoral training, or equivalent on at least a half-time basis. Activity at least 50% clinical, 10% research, and 10% didactics. Program director is board-certified in clinical neuropsychology by ABPP/ABCN

16. APA Accreditation APA Commission on Accreditation (APA-CoA) is the national accrediting authority for professional education and training in psychology Same governing body for graduate and internship training

17. APA Accreditation Benefits to Programs Highest level of oversight Prestige nationally and within institution Keeps program current with best-practices for training Federal funding opportunities Why are programs not accredited? It is not essential (it is for VAs) Laborious process to become accredited and annual reporting on program outcomes is required Programs do not know about it

18. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO PREPARE FOR POSTDOC

19. Postdoctoral Training: Houston Conference Guidelines ENTRY criteria: 1.Entrance SHOULD be based upon completion an APA/CPA- accredited doctoral program 2. Residents WILL have successfully completed an APA/CPA- accredited internship which includes SOME training in CN

20. “I am concerned that I won’t qualify” Seek out mentorship Someone at the internship level Someone at a post-doc of your interest Someone from APPCN Someone from ABPP/ABCN You probably have the appropriate training, but if your don’t: then alter your path - Additional extermships/practica Do research outside your group

21. Postdocs: Application Application procedures differ across programs (but simpler than internship) List specific goals in cover letter Attend INS for interviews, if at all possible Ask to speak with former/current fellows VERY important to apply to as many programs as you can

24. What Should the Program Offer (based on HCG) 1.Faculty includes a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist and other psychologists 2.Training at a fixed site or affiliated local sites with primarily on-site supervision 3.Access to clinical services and training in medical specialties and allied professions 4.Interactions with residents in medical and allied specialties 5.Eligibility for state or provincial licensure for independent practice 6.Eligibility for board certification by ABPP/ABCN

25. WHY “THE MATCH?”

26. APPCN Matching Program Computerized matching process, run by NMS on behalf of APPCN Non-APPCN programs that provide at least 25% clinical time may also participate Decision rules are applied based on the applicants’ and programs’ rankings Fees for programs and applicants

27. APPCN Matching Program Programs can tell you only whether or not you are competitive EXCEPTION – if you receive an offer from a non- match program, you can contact match programs to inquire about your status; programs can tell you if you would be expected to match with them Premature offers are not allowed

28. APPCN Matching Program If a program does not plan to rank you, they are supposed to tell you Match is binding Clearinghouse is available

29. APPCN Matching Program ApplicantProgram Register with NMS Interviews Submit ranks Match Clearing- house Mid-Dec. 2015 02/11/16 02/22/16 Deadline

30. APPCN Matching Program: Advantages to Applicants Access to quality programs that meet training standards for ABPP/ABCN board certification Ability to apply to many programs using the same process Minimize travel by interviewing at INS Match outcome is binding Most fair system for applicants Clearinghouse

31. Match Statistics 20-Jan- 16 23-Jan- 15 Total Registered Applicants: 168145 Total Sites Registered:6458 Total Positions Offered:9581 Members: On file7166 Registered5144 Not Participating2021 No Response01 Non Members: On file8185 Registered1314

32. STEPS TOWARDS BOARD CERTIFICATION WITH ABPP- ABCN

33. Why Board Certification with ABPP/ABCN? Board certification with ABPP culminates and maintains your highest level of education Board certification process Credentialing Written Exam Work Samples Oral Exam Case scenario Ethics Discussion of work sample

34. Begin Application as a Student! Only $25 initial application fee if apply prior to obtaining licensure If attend an APPCN program for fellowship, then the credentialing process is streamlined as APPCN programs meet the training requirements necessary for board certification