Intern Selection and Academic Preparation Requirements Policy

Solutions Behavioral Healthcare Professionals Internship (“Solutions”) currently offers 4 full-time positions with training experiences provided in two offices per each position. Two internships are primarily located in Detroit Lakes, MN and two are located in Moorhead, MN. Students interested in applying for the internship program should submit an online application through the APPIC website (www.appic.org).

Application

A complete application consists of the following materials:

1. A completed online AAPI (APPIC’s standard application)

2. Cover letter (as part of online AAPI)

3. A current Curriculum Vitae (as part of online AAPI)

4. 3 standardized reference forms (as part of online AAPI)

5. Official transcripts of all graduate coursework (as part of online AAPI)

All application materials must be received by November 25th in order to be considered. Applicants are notified of their interview status by email on or before December 15. Interviews are held in early to mid-January. Interviews will be conducted via videoconference.

Selection Criteria

Solutions reviews all complete applications received by November 25 and base its selection process on the entire application package noted above; however, applicants who have met the following qualification prior to internship are considered preferred:

1. APA-accredited doctoral program in clinical or counseling psychology

2. A minimum of 350 intervention hours

3. A minimum of 50 assessment hours

4. Dissertation proposal scheduled or defended

5. Underserved/rural interest or experience

6. Interest and experience in rotation areas

In addition to the preferences listed above, Solutions values the unique contributions that individually and/or culturally diverse interns provide within the training and work environments. The Training Committee strongly encourages diverse applicants to apply. Solutions also takes into consideration the potential commitment or interest of any prospective intern to remain in western MN following internship. Developing a strong behavioral health workforce is an important consideration for Solutions, and an interest in remaining in the area is considered a benefit in a potential intern. Finally, Solutions requires that matched interns meet additional agency-level criteria, including a background check. If a matched intern does not meet agency-level criteria, the match agreement is terminated and the intern is not be allowed to complete their internship within Solutions.

Selection Process

All applications are screened by Solutions’ Training Committee using a standard Application Rating Tool and evaluated for potential goodness of fit and projected synergy with the internship program. Each evaluation is reviewed by a member of the Training Committee. The Training Committee holds a selection meeting to determine which applicants to invite for interviews based upon the results of the ratings. As noted above, applicants are notified of their interview status on or before December 15 and interviews are held in early to mid- January. Interviews are conducted using a standard set of interview questions, although members of the Training Committee may ask additional interview questions of applicants as indicated.

The Training Committee holds a meeting within two weeks of the final interviews being completed in order to determine final applicant rankings. The full application package and information gathered from the interview process is used to determine applicant rankings. The list is finalized by consensus among the Training Committee members. Solutions then submits its applicant rankings to the National Matching Service.

Solutions participates in the APPIC Match process and agrees to abide by all APPIC Match policies. In accordance, Solutions does not solicit, accept, or use any ranking-related information from any intern applicant.

Questions regarding the application, interview, and/or ranking process may be directed to Solutions’ Training Director, Dr. Tessie Blake (tblake@solutionsinpractice.org).