Aims and Competencies

Interns will demonstrate a professional behavior in scholarly inquiries and apply current scientific knowledge for effective practices.

Research competencies:

1a.          Interns will be expected to display necessary self-direction in gathering clinical and research information practice independently and competently. Interns will seek out current scientific knowledge as needed to enhance their understanding about clinical practice and other relevant areas.

1b.          Interns will be expected to develop and implement a plan for research, professional writing, or presentation.

1c.          Interns will seek out and understand scientific literature regarding their cases and be aware of the research implications for practice.

1d.       Interns will apply evidenced-based research for interventions and assessments with individuals, families, and groups. They will take cultural characteristics and environmental variables into account.

Interns will be able to demonstrate professional and ethical conduct as well as an understanding of legal matters reflective of the values and attitudes in the field of psychology.

Competencies in ethical and legal standards:

2a.          Interns will be expected to know and understand the APA Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct, the Florida Board of Psychological Ethical Principles, and other relevant standards, guidelines, laws, statutes, and regulations.

2b.          Interns will be expected to use professional and appropriate interactions in didactics, seminars, and treatment team meetings with peers and supervisors. Interns will seek peer support as needed.

2c.          Interns will be expected to seek consultation or supervision as needed and use it effectively when presented with ethical dilemmas.

2d.          Interns will demonstrate positive coping strategies for personal and professional stressors and challenges while maintaining professional, high-quality, and well-functioning patient care.

2e.          Interns will be responsible for key patient care tasks (i.e., phone calls, letters, psychological reports), and complete tasks promptly. All patient contacts, including scheduled and unscheduled appointments, and phone contacts will be well-documented. Records shall include crucial information.

2f.           Interns will be efficient and use effective time management. They will keep scheduled appointments and meetings on time as well as keep supervisors aware of whereabouts as needed. Whenever possible, they will also minimize unplanned leave.

2g.          Interns will demonstrate good knowledge of ethical principles and state laws. They will consistently apply these appropriately, seeking consultation as needed.

Interns will be able to work professionally with diverse individuals, groups, and communities who represent various cultural backgrounds.

Individual and cultural diversity competencies:

3a.   Interns will be expected to consistently achieve a good rapport with patients.

3b.   Interns will be expected to be aware of their own background and its impact on clients. They will be committed to continue exploring their own cultural identity issues and its relationship to clinical work.

3c.   Interns will be sensitive to the cultural and individual diversity of patients and be committed to providing culturally competent services.

3d.   Interns will be expected to integrate and apply theory, research, and professional guidelines when working with diverse individuals, families, groups, and members of community-based organizations.

Interns will be able to demonstrate professional values, attitudes, and behaviors that are reflective of what is expected in the field of psychology.

Competencies in professional values, attitudes, and behaviors:

4a.   Interns will demonstrate values and behaviors commensurate with psychologists’ standards of practice.

4b.   Interns will portray themselves as psychologists, which will include awareness of their competence in clinical and assessment practices.

4c.   Interns will be expected to demonstrate a professional approach that is respectful and helpful.

4d.   Interns will demonstrate positive coping strategies for personal and professional stressors and challenges while maintaining professional, high-quality and well-functioning patient care.

4e.   Interns will demonstrate the importance of others’ welfare.

4f.    Interns will use professional resources, such as supervision, training, and consultation, to improve clinical skills.

Interns will demonstrate professional communication and interpersonal skills that are reflective of what is expected in the field of psychology.

Competencies in communications and interpersonal skills:

5a.   Interns will demonstrate ability to develop working relationships with clients and show conflict management skills when challenges arise.

5b.   Interns will demonstrate appropriate professional boundaries with peers, supervisors, staff, and community-based organizations throughout the training year.

5c.   Interns will demonstrate collaboration skills with their peers and staff.

5d.   Interns will be expected to act respectfully towards supervisors, peers, support staff, and others in community-based organizations.

5e.   Interns will be expected to actively participate under supervision and work in a collaborative manner.

5f.    Interns will demonstrate their abilities to listen to supervisory recommendations and provide feedback.

5g.   Interns will be expected to communicate their needs effectively and gradually become less dependent of supervision.

Interns will demonstrate a professional behavior in all assessment and diagnosis areas as well as with the population served.

Assessment competencies:

6a.          Interns will be expected to demonstrate a thorough working knowledge of psychiatric diagnostic nomenclature and DSM-5 classification. They will utilize historical, interview, and psychometric data to diagnose accurately.

6b.          Interns will be expected to promptly administer commonly used tests in their area of practice. They will appropriately choose the tests to be administered and demonstrate competence in administering a variety of assessment measures. These include, but are not limited to, intelligence and achievement tests as well as personality/social and behavioral measures.

6c.          Interns will be able to write well-organized psychological reports that will answer referral questions clearly and provide referral sources with specific recommendations.

6d.          Interns will plan and carry out feedback interviews. They will explain test results in terms that patients and/or caregivers can understand, provide suitable recommendations, and respond to issues raised by patients or caregivers.

Interns will demonstrate a professional behavior in diagnosis areas and effective psychotherapeutic interventions needed for the population served.

Intervention competencies:

7a.   Interns will be expected to effectively evaluate, manage, and document patient risk by assessing immediate concerns such as suicidality, homicidality, and any other safety issues. They will collaborate with patients in crisis to make appropriate short-term safety plans and intensify treatment as needed. They will discuss all applicable confidentiality issues openly with patients.

7b.   Interns will be expected to formulate useful case conceptualizations that draw on theoretical and research knowledge. They will collaborate with patients to form appropriate treatment goals.

7c.   Interns will be expected to use interventions that are well-timed, effective, and consistent with empirically supported treatments.

7d.  Interns will be expected to effectively understand and productively use their own emotional reactions to help patients in treatment (countertransference).

Interns will be able to monitor the professional functioning of others through effective mentoring and supervision of practicum students and didactic training.

Supervision competencies:

8a.  Interns will be expected to demonstrate a good knowledge of mentoring techniques and employ these skills in a consistent and effective manner, seeking consultation as needed. They will also build good rapport with mentees.

8b.  Interns will learn evidence-based theories and models of supervision.

8c.  Interns will utilize supervisory skills with practicum students.

Interns will demonstrate professional consultation with community members/agencies that are responsive to the needs of the individuals served.

Consultation and interprofessional/interdisciplinary skills competencies:

9a.   Interns will be expected to perform an assessment of the patients referred for consultation. They will incorporate mental status exams, structured interview techniques, and psychological assessments, as needed, to answer referral questions.

9b.   Interns will be expected to give an appropriate level of guidance when providing consultations to other health care professionals, taking into account their level of knowledge about psychological theories, methods, and principles.