Study Therapist

Cancer Survivorship Research Team

Faculty Sponsor: Oxana Palesh
Department: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science
Contact Name: Bailey Selland
Email: bselland@stanford.edu

The Cancer Survivorship Research Team (CSRT) at Stanford University is seeking applicants for a volunteer study therapist position on a clinical trial.

Description of Research Project:
As many as 80% of cancer patients experience sleep problems. We are conducting a study funded by the National Cancer Institute to test the efficacy of a brief behavioral therapy aimed at treating and preventing sleep difficulties in breast cancer patients. Applying both subjective and objective measurements, we hope to better understand the sleep problems that breast cancer patients encounter.

Qualifications:
• Masters degree
• Prior experience conducting psychotherapy
• Previous research experience and attention to detail highly valued

Student Responsibilities:
The primary function of graduate student study therapists is conducting experimental and control behavioral treatments. Other potential responsibilities available according to student desire, fit, and availability include cognitive assessments, assisting in blood draws and heart rate variability measurements, and co-piloting MRI’s. All these activities may count towards clinical hours.

Time Commitment:
Given the specialized training and the nature of the work with cancer patients, we require a one-year minimum commitment with 6 hours per week between 10AM and 6PM, Monday-Thursday. This shift may be a single 6-hour shift or two 3-hour shifts. Training will begin in August or September.

Value:
Students will receive supervised practicum hours. Students will also gain clinical and assessment hours, learn a manualized CBT protocol, work bedside in a fast-paced medical setting, learn medical terminology, work on a multidisciplinary team that combines medicine, psychology, and neuroscience, gain clinical research experience, and understand HIPAA requirements. Especially dedicated and interested students may have co-authorship opportunities on posters and papers.

If interested, please email your cover letter and resume/CV to Dr. Oxana Palesh at opalesh@stanford.edu and Bailey Selland at bselland@stanford.edu.