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The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Chicago Medical Center

Externship Programs

Eating Disorders Program

We currently have 1 externship slot available for Phd/Psy.D students interested in gaining research and clinical experience with adolescents and adults with eating and weight disorders.

Research Externships Available

Bariatric Surgery Externship

The University of Chicago's Center for Surgical Treatment of Obesity (CSTO) program has been designated as an America Society for Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence, indicating that we meet the highest standards in bariatric surgery. The CSTO is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, nurses, dietitians, and psychologists working to evaluate and follow up with bariatric surgery patients. The psychology team has an integral role in making recommendations to surgery candidates and to the CSTO team regarding patient readiness for surgery; and conducting research on psychosocial factors relevant to bariatric surgery candidates. Externs have the opportunity to gain valuable clinic and research experience working with bariatric surgery patients. Externs are expected contribute approximately 15 hours per week to the bariatric surgery team.

The bariatric surgery clinic is held every Wednesday, from 8am-5pm. The extern's primary responsibilities include conducting psychosocial assessments with bariatric surgery candidates (evaluating appraisal and motivation for surgery; past and present eating-related and general psychopathology; coping skills; and social support), the results of which will be used to determine whether the candidate is psychologically fit for surgery and to generate recommendations to help the candidate improve his/her readiness for surgery; and following up with patients who have already had surgery to assess ongoing psychosocial functioning and assist with goal-setting, behavior change, and motivation. Other responsibilities may include entering data; assisting with the maintenance of our IRB protocol; preparing materials for a variety of patient groups (e.g., preoperative readiness education program; surgery support group); and attending CSTO team rounds (held Thursdays from 8:30-9:30).

Applicants should have experience conducting psychosocial assessments with adults, and excellent organizational skills to manage research-related tasks. This position is ideal for a graduate student who is familiar with the basics of Excel and SPSS and is looking for clinical and research experience with an emphasis on health psychology and bariatric surgery.

If interested, please send a cover letter detailing the nature of your interest in the externship, your career goals, and any relevant previous clinical and research experience; current CV/resume; and two letters of recommendation to Andrea Goldschmidt (goldschmidta@uchicago.edu) by April 1.