Gastroenterology Externship

This position offers opportunities to participate in a range of multidisciplinary outpatient clinics and services at the main hospital and/or outpatient centers under the direct clinical supervision of Lisa Opipari-Arrigan, Ph.D., and Shayna Coburn, Ph.D.:

• Functional GI Disorders Clinic: (Fridays 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the main hospital) Offers multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment of pediatric patients with a range of disorders of the gut-brain axis. Patients are seen by a gastroenterologist, psychologist, pain medicine specialist and dietitian. Common referral questions for consultation and outpatient therapy include coping with chronic pain, rumination and anxiety.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic: (1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the main hospital) Provides evaluation and treatment of newly diagnosed and complex pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Patients are seen by a range of specialists including a gastroenterologist, nurse, psychologist, dietitian and social worker. Brief assessment and outpatient therapy addresses coping with chronic illness, self-management, procedural anxiety and depression. 
• Encopresis Clinical Service: (Daily at the main hospital and via telehealth) Provides outpatient therapy in combination with collaborative medical treatment for children with chronic constipation, stool withholding and soiling. 
• Celiac Disease Program: (Fridays 9 a.m.-5 p.m. via telehealth; optional in-person Wednesdays at the Montgomery County Outpatient Center) Provides outpatient consultation and treatment to children and adolescents with celiac disease, requiring a strict gluten-free diet. Psychologists are integrated into clinic visits alongside a physician, nurse, dietitian and education specialist to address coping with diagnosis, dietary changes, physical symptoms and eating/feeding challenges. Potential experiences include half-day weekly clinic, therapy and optional groups for teens and parents (2 hours on a weekday evening).

Applicants must be in at least the third year of a doctoral program and have prior practicum experience with child and adolescent assessment and therapy. Experience with pediatric populations is desired, but not required. Preference will be given to advanced doctoral students.

Up to two externs will be recruited for this externship.

Please email a letter of interest, CV/resume and two letters of recommendation to: 

• Lisa Opipari-Arrigan, Ph.D. | Email
• Shayna Coburn, Ph.D. | Email

Interested applicants should also complete this survey one time, regardless of how many externships you are applying for.

• Children's National Hospital, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010
• Montgomery County Outpatient Center, 9850 Key West Ave, Rockville, MD 20850 (optional)

Please note, depending on COVID-19 restrictions during the time of the externship, some or all clinical care may be provided though telehealth.

The extern will spend one or two days, eight to 16 hours per week. At least one of the days will be on a Thursday or Friday.