MIRECC / CoE
VA Advanced Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship | VAPORHCS MIRECC Fellowship
VA Advanced Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment (VAPORHCS MIRECC Fellowship)
James Boehnlein, MD and Ruth Ann Tsukuda, Ed.D, MPH, Co-Directors
Benjamin Morasco, Ph.D. and Maya O’Neil, Ph.D., Co-Directors of Research Training
Sarah Suniga, Ph.D. and Trisha Vinatieri, Psy.D., Co-Directors of Clinical Training
The Veterans Affairs (VA) Advanced Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship in Mental Illness Research and Treatment is a two-year postdoctoral training program at VA Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS). The primary goal of the VA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center's (NW MIRECC) Advanced Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship program is to train and equip physicians, psychologists, and other allied health professionals with the knowledge and expertise to lead clinical research efforts that make lasting contributions in the lives of Veterans experiencing mental health challenges. In collaboration with their mentors, the Advanced Psychology Postdoctoral Fellows will develop and implement research projects, publish and present findings, write grants, and utilize the latest technology for educational activities and clinical service delivery. Psychology Postdoctoral Fellows devote 75% of their time to research and education activities and 25% to clinical training. Over the course of the two-year program, fellows are trained in clinical and health systems research, advanced clinical care service delivery, and program administration in an interdisciplinary setting. The NW MIRECC Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship site is linked electronically to other national MIRECC sites for didactic, academic, and research efforts.
The mission of the NW MIRECC is to improve the health and well-being of Veterans by developing, evaluating, and disseminating effective treatments for PTSD and its complex comorbidities including the behavioral consequences of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), substance use disorders (SUD), chronic pain, and dementia. NW MIRECC studies are conducted through clinical research and through translational research wherein teams of clinicians and scientists work side-by-side to characterize and model key features of clinical problems and then translate the findings from scientific theory or animal models into practical applications for Veterans.
NW MIRECC collaborates and consults with other MIRECCs and Centers of Excellence, as well as with other VA, federal, state and community agencies to disseminate best practice treatments and current research findings related to PTSD and associated conditions. The NW MIRECC Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship has a variety of novel training opportunities:
1. Participation in weekly research-oriented videoconferences with fellows from the national VA Advanced Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship in Mental Illness Research and Treatment.
2. Collaboration with clinical researchers who share a common interest in polytrauma, PTSD, and traumatic brain injury.
3. Presentation of research to various disciplines of health practitioners in academic and community settings and the MIRECC Presents videoconference series.
4. Participation in the design and implementation of CME conferences and distance learning programs for VA and non-VA professional staff, and programs for Veterans and their families, throughout the Pacific Northwest.
5. Optional participation in Oregon Health & Science University’s (OHSU) Human Investigations Program (HIP), which offers an integrated clinical and translational research education curriculum and results in a Certificate in Human Investigations.
6. Training opportunities with the VA Portland’s PTSD Clinical Team (PCT), a multidisciplinary outpatient team that provides evidence-based treatments to Veterans experiencing PTSD related to their military service. Postdoctoral fellows have the opportunity to provide individual and group psychotherapy, supervise doctoral-level trainees, and actively participate in weekly team meetings and PTSD consultation as junior colleagues.
Applying for the VA Advanced Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship:
The application for the 2022 NW MIRECC Advanced Psychology Postdoctoral Fellowship is accepted through the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) website. To apply, create an APPA CAS account and, once logged in, upload all required documents. Your application must be received no later than December 12, 2021 at 11:59 pm.
About NW MIRECC Research
Current/Volunteer for Research
Postdoctoral Fellowship
Research Publications
Research Tools and Resources
Education at NW MIRECC
MIRECC Presents: Overview
MIRECC Presents: Schedule
MIRECC Presents Archive
Accreditation and CEU
Tech Support
Postdoctoral Fellowship
Fellowship Presentation Archives
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The Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (NW MIRECC) of the Veterans Integrated Services Network (VISN) 20 seeks to improve the mental health and well-being of Veterans through research and dissemination of information to providers both within the VA and the general public. The NW MIRECC mission is to contribute to better treatment of the unseen wounds of war (PTSD, mild traumatic brain injury, and their comorbidities). The VA VISN 20 Northwest Health Network consists of four states across three time zones; Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. The primary research center located in VA Puget Sound Health Care System is affiliated with the University of Washington. VA Puget Sound serves Veterans from a five-state area in the Pacific Northwest with two main divisions: American Lake and Seattle. In addition to the main medical centers, VA Puget Sound provides health care services in Washington state at six community-based outpatient clinics in Bellevue, Bremerton, Federal Way, Mount Vernon, Port Angeles, and Seattle. The research center located at VA Portland Heath Care System is affiliated with the Oregon Health and Science University. VA Portland serves Veterans from Oregon and Southwest Washington with two main divisions: Portland and Vancouver. In addition to the main medical centers, VA Portland Health Care System provides health care services in Oregon state at ten outpatient clinics in Bend, Fairview, Hillsboro, North Coast (Camp Rilea), Newport, Lincoln City, Portland, Salem, The Dalles, and West Linn. Vet Centers in the VISN 20 Health Care Network are community-based counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active-duty Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families.
