HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants are to apply directly to CACTC but are able to rank each CACTC site separately according to their rotation interests. All application documents must be received by November 1.

All applicants are to use the AAPI Online. Applications received through the AAPI Online will include the following items:

  • Cover letter
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • AAPI application (which includes essays and the DCT’s verification of eligibility and readiness)
  • All graduate transcripts
  • Three letters of recommendation.

CACTC also requires the applicant to submit an additional sample (de-identified) psychological evaluation.

In addition, applicants must include specific information in their cover letter, using the CACTC’s Cover Letter Requirements document (revised 8/23/21) as your guide. If this required information is not included, the application will no longer be under consideration.

For those applicants who are invited for an interview, a CACTC Statement of Mission and Faith will need to be signed as a part of his/her application. Applicants are strongly encouraged to read the CACTC Statement of Mission and Faith prior to submitting application to CACTC to ensure “goodness of fit.” Any questions or comments about this Statement of Mission and Faith should be directed in writing to the CACTC Director prior to submitting application to the CACTC internship program.

NMS MATCH NUMBER CODES

The following are the APPIC Internship Matching Program Code Numbers for the Chicago Area Christian Training Consortium-Internship in Health Service Psychology (Program #1673):

  • 167313 Outreach Community Counseling Center (1 position)
  • 167314 Cornerstone Counseling Center of Chicago (1 position)
  • 167315 Central DuPage Pastoral Counseling (1 position)
  • 167316 Lawndale Christian Health Center (1 position)
  • 167311 Meier Clinics (1 position)
  • 167312 Hesed Psychological Services (1 position)

Applicants must register for the NMS match in order to be eligible to match with CACTC. Applicants may request an Applicant Agreement Package from NMS through the Matching Program web site at www.natmatch.com/psychint or by contacting NMS directly at 716.282.4013.

The Rank Order List will be submitted to the National Matching Service by the first Wednesday in February. Results of the Match will be released to all parties at the end of February. Individual interviews will be coordinated with qualified candidates in January. Persons no longer under consideration will be notified by December 15.

Because “goodness of fit” between intern and internship program is important, CACTC will offer a variety of virtual interview day activities in order to provide a well-rounded picture of the training experience at each site. These include a live large group overview of the training program by the Training Director with opportunities for questions, brief descriptions of each rotation by the supervisors, formal individual interviews, informal breakout sessions with current interns, virtual open houses with site supervisors and staff, and pre-recorded tours of facilities.

The intern selection process involves both the criteria established by the Consortium Steering Committee and the standards of the rotation. This internship site agrees to abide by the APPIC policy that no person at this training facility will solicit, accept, or use any ranking-related information from any intern applicant. CACTC will follow all APPIC guidelines, including those pertaining to the Internship Matching Program, which is considered legally binding.

Applicants who are matched with CACTC for internship need to successfully complete any on-boarding process requested by their primary site:

  • CCCOC: The internship requirements for CCCOC include background checks through national databases (criminal and sex offender) as well as fingerprinting through Biometrics and Chicago Public Schools (for those working in schools). History of a conviction of a felony or a sex offense would result in ineligibility for internship. Drug screening is not conducted in the pre-screening process but may be administered during the course of the internship.
  • CDPCC: The internship requirements for CDPCC include background checks (criminal and sex offender) through a national database. History of a conviction of a felony or a sex offense would result in ineligibility for internship. A background check is also done through the government’s watch list. CDPCC interns must abide by all Federal requirements for those working in a health care setting, including COVID vaccinations.
  • Hesed Psychological Services: The internship requirements for Hesed include background checks (criminal and sex offender) through a national database. History of a conviction of a felony or a sex offense would result in ineligibility for internship. A background check is also done through the government’s watch list. As part of a background check, fingerprinting through the FBI and Illinois Police databases will also be required.
  • LCHC: LCHC’s pre-internship placement requirements include 1) Criminal background check and 2) Office of Inspector General fraud screening. Exclusion from participation in Medicare/ Medicaid programs or a felony conviction would result in ineligibility for participation in internship program; misdemeanors are decided on case by case basis. Vaccination/Testing Requirements: To ensure compliance with LCHC’s Health Care Immunization Policy, you will need to provide verification of the following vaccinations prior to onboarding: HEP B, MMR, Tdap, Varicella, and 1 dose of Influenza vaccine received during the current flu season. In addition, a negative test for TB will be required. LCHC is not currently requiring Covid vaccines as a condition of employment or for student rotations. This may change in the future depending on external factors such as Covid transmission rates, CDC, CDPH, and IDPH recommendations, etc. Any questions related to this policy can be directed to LCHC’s HR Director (Datjaeda Moore- datjaedamoore@lawndale.org).
  • OCCC/Outreach: The internship requirements for Outreach involve background checks (including fingerprinting) through the FBI and Illinois Police databases. A search of the National and Illinois Sex Offender databases is also conducted. A history of convictions does not necessarily mean that an individual will not be placed. Each instance will be given careful, individual consideration. Outreach seeks interns who can affirm Outreach’s Statement of Christian Mission & Faith, which can be found on the website and will be available for review during internship interviews. Specific questions about internship documents or the background check process for Outreach can be directed to Heather Hernandez, Senior HR Officer, at (630) 682-1910 x245.
  • Meier: Meier Clinics uses drug screens (including marijuana) and criminal/sex offender background checks prior to the start of internship. Any concerns raised through these procedures would be handled on a case by case basis. Medical marijuana use would not preclude an internship placement. Interns are required to sign the Meier Clinics Statement of Faith, which can be found at https://www.meierclinics.com/statement-of-faith/.

Consistent with APPIC policy 7b, appointment of interns is contingent on interns satisfying all of the aforementioned aspects of the pre-internship process in a satisfactory manner. Applicants may visit the APPIC web site for more information about this policy.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

SELECTION CRITERIA

To be considered for internship through CACTC, applicants must have:

  1. Completed all graduate course work for the doctoral degree
  2. Passed doctoral comprehensive exams
  3. Completed a minimum of 1200 total hours of supervised doctoral practica (which includes direct service hours, supervision and support time)
  4. Demonstrated an interest in, and the aptitude for, the integration of Christian faith with clinical practice in work with diverse range of persons
  5. Demonstrated an interest in, and the aptitude for, work with underserved persons and their communities
  6. Demonstrated excellent skills both interpersonally and in written form
  7. Experience in providing psychological evaluations to children, adolescents and/or adults
  8. Completed application (including the more detailed requirements of the CACTC cover letter)
  9. Signed a CACTC Statement of Mission and Faith

Applicants are considered based on coursework, practica and/or experience that demonstrate preparation for practice in a multi-disciplinary community treatment setting.

Applicants will also be considered on the basis of their articulated goals, previous experience, writing skills and solid clinical training in assessment and intervention. Given CACTC’s emphasis on a collaborative team approach, individuals who demonstrate good interpersonal skills, emotional maturity, the ability to take initiative and to be adaptable will be more strongly considered.

Congruent with the CACTC mission, priority will be given to those applicants who demonstrate an interest in learning to work more effectively with underserved populations and a commitment to the integration of Christian faith with clinical practice.