The Center for Neurological and Neurodevelopmental Health CNNH Psychology Internship

Supervisors: Greg Alberts, Ph.D., Sarah Woldoff, Ph.D., Drew Nagele Psy.D.

Placement Description : CNNH is the only freestanding comprehensive, integrated neurological center in the region and is recognized in the area as the major source for pediatric neurology and neuropsychology services. At our core are the disciplines of neurology, neuropsychiatry and neuropsychology, with the integration of analytical behavioral services, school psychology, education, and ancillary therapies (speech, physical, occupational, and more) coupled with clinical research (through our allied Clinical Research Center of New Jersey.)

The Center is staffed with experienced and highly trained clinicians, led by Mark Mintz, M.D., who is triple board certified in Child Neurology, Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Pediatrics. In addition there are credentialed and licensed Neuropsychologists, Advanced Practice Nurses, Board Certified Behavior Analysts, Social Workers, Special Educators, Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Feeding Specialists, Family Therapists, and ancillary staff in employment or consultative capacities. CNNH’s expertise runs across the full spectrum of neurological, neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological disorders, with particular expertise in neurodevelopmental disabilities, neurobehavioral disorders and brain injury, encompassing such diagnoses as Autism, Asperger Disorder, ADHD, Tourette Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion, Down Syndrome, other neurogenetic and congenital disorders, Headache/Migraine and others.

CNNH’s model of care is innovative and emphasizes delivering evidenced-based therapies and learning strategies to individuals and families.

Core Training Emphasis: Outpatient Neuropsychological/Psychological/Developmental Evaluations and Treatment of a Pediatric/Young Adult population.

Interns in this placement will obtain broad knowledge and experience in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of a wide range of neurodevelopmental (and acquired) conditions to include Learning Disabilities, AD/HD, various Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Epilepsy/Seizure Disorders, Traumatic Brain Injury and Autism Spectrum Disorders, primarily.

Interns will participate in diagnostic evaluations as part of a multidisciplinary team that includes Pediatric Neurologists, Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, Certified Behavior Analysts, and Neuropsychologists. The intern will have the opportunity to receive training/exposure in contemporary and validated neuropsychological assessment procedures, “gold standard” tools for evaluation of Autism Spectrum Disorders, particularly the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS), as well as in developmental measures such as the Mullen Scales of Early Learning. Emphasis on the differential diagnosis of childhood developmental disorders will also be promoted.

An adult training emphasis is also available for working with adults who have acquired brain injury. This opportunity will provide a very rich experience for students interested in brain injury rehabilitation, offering training experience in residential rehabilitation, an innovative brain injury Clubhouse, and outpatient therapies. There will be didactic and experiential training in neuropsychological testing, neurofunctional assessment using a transdisciplinary team, and cognitive rehabilitation training. This placement will emphasize a systems approach demonstrating how the neuropsychologist can function within a team to strengthen the overall clinical outcomes being achieved.

The majority of evaluations in our Center are administered to children and young adults between the ages of 24 months and young adulthood years, but we also follow and treat individuals across the lifespan-particularly if the condition is developmental in origin (e.g., Aspergers, AD/HD) or the consequence of a Traumatic Brain Injury. Depending upon the referral base and nature of the evaluation (comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation vs. developmental evaluation), the intern will generally evaluate 2-4 patients/week (in collaboration with a supervising Neuropsychologist), write reports summarizing the results of the evaluations they conduct, and present the results of their evaluation at supervision meetings or team meetings.

Interns will have the opportunity to attend/participate in parent diagnostic feedback sessions and assist in both individual and group treatment planning. Interns will also provide outpatient interventions and will carry an active caseload of patients targeting behavioral management, cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety, mood, and self-control disorders, cognitive remediation for learning or cognitive disorders, and/or group based social skills or social development therapies.

Participation in on-going research activities is also encouraged.

Required meetings/activities:

In accordance with APPIC internship standards, all interns are required to participate in regularly scheduled Individual Supervision meetings (2 hours/week minimum) and Didactic Training seminars/forums at the internship site for an equivalent of 2 hours a week. These training seminars are designed to ensure an experience of developmental learning and permit adequate socialization as an internship cohort.

The didactic training seminars focus on a broad variety of clinical and professional issues including neuropsychological and psychological assessment techniques, empirically supported interventions, case conceptualization, neurodiagnostic techniques (e.g., EEG), ethical issues in treatment, applied behavior analysis, psychopharmacology, and related topics.

Contact Greg Alberts, Ph.D. Director of Internship Training by e-mail at galberts@thecnnh.org

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Child Neurology and/or Neurodevelopmental Disability Specialists/Fellows

The Center for Neurological and Neurodevelopmental Health (CNNH) brings together a multidisciplinary team of experts who provide comprehensive assessment and treatment services and are passionate about finding solutions for complex neurological, neurodevelopmental, and neurobehavioral disorders. Our allied Clinical Research Center of New Jersey (CRCNJ) is creating investigator-initiated research and is actively providing our patients access to advanced treatments through Clinical Trials. Among many new growth initiatives, CNNH is the recent recipient of a $1,000,000 clinical enhancement grant from the NJ Governor's Council for the Medical Research and Treatment of Autism. CNNH and CRCNJ are affiliated with academic, research and clinical partners worldwide and our professionals publish and present nationally and internationally. Our new 5,000 square foot facility has dedicated space for the latest diagnostic equipment including Dense Array EEG technologies, therapy and behavioral assessment rooms, laboratory, clinical research, and more.

We are seeking board certified/eligible individuals with a passion for clinical excellence and creativity. We offer superior compensation packages, outstanding working conditions, flexibility and a tremendous opportunity for professional growth and development.

Mark Mintz, M.D. President & CEO, CNNH and CRCNJ

Contact Brenda MacGhee at bmacghee@thecnnh.org or 856-784-1899 (fax)

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Clinical Research Nurse

Responsibilities:

The Clinical Research Nurse will coordinate clinical trials at CRCNJ. The research nurse will coordinate all aspects of patient care as it relates to clinical trials at CRCNJ.

Requirements:

Degree Required: R.N.

Years Experience: 3

Minimum Qualifications:

- Current State of New Jersey Registered Nurse License or eligible for immediate NJ licensure.
- Minimum of 3 years clinical nursing experience required.
- Must have prior experience in Clinical Research.
- Prior CNS experience and CNS Certification preferred.
- Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing is preferred.
- CPR and ACLS Certification recommended.
- SOCRA or ACRP Certification preferred.