RUSH University Medical Center is one of the major centers of health care delivery, education, and research in Chicago and the Midwest. With a distinguished history going back over 150 years, the Medical Center, its components and affiliated institutions, offer educational and training programs in all major health and health-related fields. As the largest medical center in the city of Chicago, RUSH attracts ethnically and racially diverse patients from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. This wealth of individual differences enriches all aspects of internship training.
The Division of Behavioral Sciences is a division within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at RUSH University Medical Center. The division is located at 1645 W. Jackson Blvd, Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60612, and can be reached at (312) 942-5932.
Program philosophy and aims
Our program is guided by the following aims, which are rooted in the Profession-Wide Competencies defined by APA:
- Provide training in the scientist-practitioner model through the provision of:
- evidence-based treatment and assessment in the health care setting with a diverse patient population;
- use of research literature to inform clinical work; and,
- dissemination of scholarly activities.
- Enhance understanding of individual and cultural differences in assessment, case conceptualization, and treatment within the context of a supportive learning environment.
- Foster an understanding of and adherence to ethical principles of psychologists.
- Facilitate the development of professional autonomy and readiness for entry level practice.
The philosophy underlying the internship program is that the highest competency level of the scientist-practitioner psychologist is based on broad and deep knowledge, in particular of the scientific and professional bases of psychology, in the context of ethical concern for others. The training model of the department holds that the intern comes here as an emerging professional. The intern is given all the independence of function he or she is ready to assume. Interns are considered integral department members.
By the end of the training year, the intern should be able to work independently as a scientist-practitioner. The intern should be competent at diagnostic evaluation, methods of intervention and consultation, and should adhere to the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and the Code of Conduct of the American Psychological Association. In addition, the intern should be able to evaluate, use, and contribute to the scientific, professional, and applied literature. The intern should demonstrate an increase in knowledge and skill related to supervision and teaching. The intern should also know and be able to integrate relevant matters from other disciplines and work effectively with other professionals in interdisciplinary settings. Finally, the intern should know about and be sensitive to cultural and individual diversity and apply this knowledge and sensitivity in all of their work. At completion of training, performance is expected to be at the junior faculty level, in preparation for the job market or post-doctoral training in sub-specialty areas.