Interprofessional Advanced Fellowship in Addiction Treatment

The primary goal of this specialized, two-year advanced fellowship is to train future generations of VA leaders to design and conduct innovative and cutting edge research that will enhance our understanding of addictions and its co-morbidities, to become proficient in evidence-based clinical care for substance use disorders and associated co-morbidities such as PTSD, and to learn to effectively manage teams, services (clinical or research), and/or training programs. The program is designed to have a strong interprofessional focus and is open to both physicians, psychologists, and other healthcare professionals. We have assembled an outstanding faculty that can provide training in the conduct of research in basic biological sciences, psychopharmacology and medication development, treatment outcomes, and/or service delivery related to the addictions, clinical mentorship across a broad range of clinical training sites (including programs for Veterans with addictions and PTSD, and specialized programs for women Veterans and returning Veterans), and management training experiences at all levels of the organization. Fellows will spend 75% of their time in educational, management, and research training, and 25% in direct clinical care activities. A focus on individualized training and the availability of a unique blend of educational, clinical, management, and research opportunities should ensure a high quality learning experience for each fellow. The trainee will be joining an academically rich and vibrant training environment that includes programs affiliated with Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School for physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other allied health professionals.

 

Research Options:

The VA Boston Healthcare System is home to researchers in basic neuroscience, epidemiology, clinical assessment, medication development, and pharmacological and psychosocial treatment and services outcome research. In collaboration with researchers affiliated with Boston University and Harvard Medical School, fellows have the opportunity to work with researchers whose work is focused on: (1) the effect of ethanol on nervous system development, (2) signaling pathways and neural plasticity in models of addiction and PTSD, (3) factors involved in relapse and re-hospitalization following treatment for addictions, (4) psychosocial treatments for addiction, (6) novel pharmacotherapies for addiction, (6) psychosocial interventions for PTSD in Veterans with substance use disorders, (7) technological advances (e.g., Web and mobile applications) in reaching and intervening with combat Veterans with problem drinking and PTSD, (8) interplay of emotion regulation and information processing in the treatment of addiction, and (9) integration of substance-related and medical health care.

 

Qualifications:

A basic requirement for applicants is U.S. citizenship. Additional requirements for physicians include:  1) completion of an ACGME accredited residency program, 2) a full and unrestricted license to practice in the U.S. or any of its territories, 3) board certified or eligible, and 4) if a graduate of a foreign medical school, must have evidence of ECFMG certification that is valid indefinitely. For psychologists this includes: 1) completion of an APA-accredited doctorate in clinical or counseling psychology (or meeting APA criteria for re-specialization training) and 2) completion of an APA-accredited psychology internship. Applicants are expected to have a primary interest in a VA career focused on developing, implementing, and managing programs, teaching, and/or conducting research to ultimately improve healthcare for Veterans with substance use disorders.

 

Interprofessional Fellowship Application Procedures:

Please submit a letter of interest, CV, and the names of three references. The letter of interest should describe an applicant’s interest in the program, a summary of educational, clinical, and research experience relevant to application, and a statement of career goals. All materials for the Advanced Fellowship should be submitted electronically to BostonAddictionFellowship@va.gov.  Please contact John Renner, M.D. (617-248-1022, john.renner@va.gov) or Deborah Brief, Ph.D. (857-364-4689, deborah.brief@va.gov) for further information about positions for physicians and psychologists, respectively. Additional information about faculty and specific training experiences is available upon request.