Eligibility: Applicants must meet the following prerequisites to be considered for our postdoctoral training program:

• Completion of doctoral degree, including defense of dissertation, from an APA-accredited Clinical or Counseling Psychology program before the start date of the residency.
• Completion of an APA-accredited psychology internship program.
• U.S. citizenship.
• Passing a urine screen for illegal drug use, should HR ask for it under their random testing program of new appointees.

*** Failure to meet these qualifications could nullify an offer to an applicant.

*** Those not meeting the eligibility requirements will be notified as soon as possible.

Selection Process
We seek applicants who have a sound clinical and scientific knowledge base from their academic program and internship; strong entry-level professional skills in standard assessment, intervention, and research techniques; and the personal characteristics necessary to function well as a doctoral-level professional in a medical center environment. Our selection criteria focus on all aspects of the application materials, with particular emphases placed upon background training and experience and an applicant’s clear articulation of training goals and professional aspirations. We select candidates from many different kinds of programs and theoretical orientations, from different geographic areas, of different ages, of different ethnic backgrounds, and with different life experiences. We seek the best fit between applicants and our training program. Our training program and the Minneapolis VA Medical Center in which it resides are committed to Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity in Employment.

Applications are initially reviewed by the selection committee which is composed of psychologists involved in postdoctoral training. Following this initial review, highly ranked applicants may be asked to participate in telephone interviews, teleconference interviews, or in-person interviews. The Minneapolis VAMC participates in the Uniform Postdoctoral Notification Day of February 26th, 2009. A position offer may be made earlier but the offer could be held by the applicant until the Uniform Notification Day.

Training Term
The postdoctoral residency is full-time for one year, beginning on about Labor Day and ending at about that same time the following year.

Stipend and Benefits
For the upcoming year (2009-2010), we expect to receive funding for 4 full-time postdoctoral positions. The current stipend is $42,818 per year. State and federal income tax and FICA (Social Security) are withheld from residents’ checks. Residents are entitled to 10 federal holidays and earn sick leave and vacation days at a rate of 4 hours of each per two-week pay period. Residents are encouraged to use all of their annual leave before completion of the training year. Unused sick leave may be applied to future federal employment. Additional leave may be approved for attendance at conferences and workshops or other continuing education activities. Postdoctoral residents are not covered by Federal Employee retirement and are not eligible for federal life insurance benefits but are eligible for health insurance benefits. Residents are also eligible for travel and tuition expenses for training experiences that are consistent with their training goals. The funds available have varied year to year but typically average around $400 and are not available until late spring or early summer.

Policies
The Minneapolis VAMC postdoctoral residency training program follows the guidelines set forth by the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC). You will find a copy of the guidelines in effect for this application year at the APPIC website at www.appic.org (*External site-see disclaimer below)

In accord with the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Program, residents accepted here may be asked to submit a urine specimen at the beginning of the training year. Other branches of the federal government (Office of Personnel Management) may conduct routine background checks at their discretion.

It is the policy of the Minneapolis VA Medical Center’s postdoctoral residency that selected applicants must have successfully defended their dissertation and must complete all other degree requirements before they begin their residency. Selectees, under extraordinary circumstances, may petition the postdoctoral Training Committee for up to two 30-day extensions. If granted, the start date would be delayed, and the resident would be required to extend his or her traineeship period (possibly without compensation) in order to achieve the required number of supervised hours to complete the residency. Selectees who are denied an extension or are unable to begin the residency within 60 days of their original start date will be deselected from the program. In this unusual circumstance, alternative candidates may be contacted to fill the position as quickly as possible.

The Minneapolis VA Medical Center's postdoctoral residency selects applicants who are committed to an extra year of focused training and supervision and are committed to completing that year of training.

Residents must receive approval from the Training Committee to engage in any employment outside of the residency.

Application Procedures

1. which may be obtained by clicking on this link
2. Completion of the Postdoc Application
3. which may be obtained by clicking on this link.
4. Detailed vita or 'resume' describing background training and experience, description of internship, and other scholarly activity and research.
5. Three letters of recommendation. At least one of these must be from an internship supervisor.
6. Official transcripts of your graduate work.
7. Work Sample. Please send a psychological testing report and an example of research or other scholarly work.
8. Letter from dissertation chair regarding dissertation status and anticipated completion date, if doctoral degree has not been completed at the time of this application.
   
   *** The deadline for completed applications is January 31st, 2009 for Fall of 2009.

**** We need to have received items 1-8 by 1/31/09 in order to consider an application.

*** We strongly prefer to receive all application materials (items 1-8) in one package but we understand if your school or letter writer insist on sending materials directly.

*** When putting your application materials together, please staple items 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8 separately. Do not use paper clips or rubber bands.

Please send applications to:

Wayne Siegel, Ph.D., ABPP Director of Training
Mental And Behavioral Health PSL (116B)
VA Medical Center
One Veterans Drive
Minneapolis, MN 55417-2300

Please contact us by telephone, E-mail or by U.S. Mail if you have further questions.

Dr. Siegel is available Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. CDT/CST.
Telephone: (612) 467-4024
E-mail: Wayne.Siegel@.va.gov

Our privacy policy is clear: we will collect no personal information about you when you visit our website.