Professional and Continuing Education

In partnership with local colleges and universities, Shriners Children's Boston offers a lecture for student nurses titled Nursing Management for the Pediatric Burn Patient several times throughout the year. Nursing faculty may contact Tammy Noble, RN, nursing professional development specialist, at TNoble@shrinenet.org for more information.

Practicum Overview:

This program provides doctoral-level trainees with the opportunity to develop advanced skills in delivering psychological services and consultation to pediatric medical patients, many of whom have experienced traumatic burn injuries and related conditions.

Psychology practicum students gain experience in both the inpatient medical unit and the outpatient clinic. Trainees utilize a range of therapeutic modalities within a specialized pediatric population. The primary model of care at Shriners Children’s is pediatric behavioral medicine, with an emphasis on evidence-based interventions including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT). Trainees provide both short- and longer-term individual interventions with patients following referral from medical staff and care coordination teams. Interventions may be conducted independently or conjointly with the supervising psychologist.

Students develop competencies in interdisciplinary collaboration, serving as members of a multidisciplinary team and providing consultation to medical staff, care management, child life specialists, and rehabilitation therapists. Trainees work with a culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse population and frequently collaborate with certified medical interpreters to ensure equitable care.

Supervision is provided by licensed staff psychologists and psychiatrists. Trainees receive two hours of supervision weekly with a psychologist, including one hour of individual (1:1) supervision and a minimum of one hour of in vivo supervision. Supervision is conducted through a combination of in-person and virtual meetings.

Students are expected to commit to two in-person days per week at Shriners Children’s Boston, one of which must overlap with their primary supervisor to support supervision and clinical collaboration. Students are also required to participate in one hour per week psychiatry rounds (Mondays at 10 a.m. – held remotely).

One psychology practicum student is selected each year.

Eligibility and Qualifications:

This is an Advanced Practicum experience, and applicants must be at least in their third year of training in an accredited Ph.D. or Psy.D. program in clinical psychology.

Prior therapy experience with children, adolescents and/or families is required. Knowledge of typical and atypical child development is preferred. Proficiency in Spanish is an asset but is not required.

Applications will be carefully reviewed to determine whether the practicum is an appropriate fit based on each applicant’s prior training, clinical experience and professional goals. As one of the few pediatric psychology practica available at this level of training, priority will be given to applicants whose career goals include working as a pediatric psychologist in a hospital-based setting.

Given the nature of the setting, applicants must be prepared to work in a critical care environment and be comfortable providing services to children with severe and, at times, disfiguring injuries.

Application Process:

The Advanced Practicum at Shriners Children’s Boston adheres to the deadlines and guidelines established by the Massachusetts Practicum Training Collaborative (PTC).

Application materials must include:

• A cover letter of interest
• Curriculum vitae
• A minimum of two letters of reference

Selected candidates will be invited to participate in a virtual interview. Applicants will also have the opportunity to meet the current advanced practicum student, connect with psychiatry faculty and tour the hospital to assess fit.

For detailed application instructions, please refer to the Massachusetts Practicum Training Collaborative (PTC) website.

Questions may be directed to:

• Alessandra Caruso, Ph.D., Director of Training: acaruso@shrinenet.org
• Ellen O’Donnell, Ph.D., Director of Psychological Services: eodonnell@shrinenet.org