The Psychology Department at BC Children's Hospital was awarded Best Practicum Site for 2017 and 2021 from the University of British Columbia
The Department of Psychology at BC Children's Hospital offers
four formal senior practicum positions. The positions begin in September and are of 10 - 12 months in duration (i.e. ending either in June, or extending through July/August, with a minimum commitment of 10 months).
The end date is flexible due to the high interest of ongoing clinical experiences during the summer months. Applicants should have completed their masters' degree from a CPA accredited program, have some prior, formal experience working with children and youth (supervised by a registered psychologist), and have completed a Child Assessment course. The positions require the commitment of a minimum of two days on site.
General practicum positions (2 positions available): The positions may be individually tailored to the applicant's training needs, and can cover a wide range of interests, inclusive of both: mental health and pediatrics (medical psychology), assessment and intervention, inpatient/outpatient. In addition to clinical variety, the students are exposed to all that an academic medical facility has to offer, with regard to teaching didactics, clinical rounds and seminars/workshops.
Practicum students are welcome to attend and participate in the majority of the training didactic opportunities that are offered to our clinical psychology residents and fellows. For example, our practicum students are invited to attend a two day workshop on play therapy, in addition to seminars on a variety of additional topics such as: 1) Ethics, 2) Assessment, 3) Supervision, 4) Psychopharmacology, 5) Psychosis, and 6) Diversity.
Neuropsychiatry (1 position available): An advanced/senior psychology practicum is available in the neuropsychiatry clinic, with a primary focus on evidence-based treatment for children and youth with mental health concerns in the context of neurodevelopmental conditions, such as autism, intellectual disability, and/or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
Neuropsychology (1 position available): The populations seen are quite varied and include children with epilepsy, those referred for pre- and post-surgical assessments, children seen through oncology/hematology, biochemical diseases, transplant, and acute acquired/traumatic brain injury cases, amongst others. Only advanced practicum students in neuropsychology are accepted.
The practicum placements adhere to the Lower Mainland notification day, and standard application deadlines.
Information about the application deadline and notification date will be posted in Fall 2023.
Applications should include:
- A cover letter,
- Two letters of recommendation, and
- CV
Those students applying for the neuropsychology practicum should also include a sample neuropsychology report. All applications can be submitted to:
Dr. Emily Piper
Director of Training, Department of Psychology
British Columbia's Children's Hospital
950 West 28th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4
epiper@cw.bc.ca
(604) 875-2793
