QUALITY LIVING, INCORPORATED
Match Code - 141619

QLI WILL NOT BE TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2009-2010 INTERNSHIP YEAR

6404 North 70th Plaza

Omaha, NE 68104

402/ 573-3700

Fax 402/ 573-3790

Training Director:
Jeff Snell , Ph.D.
jsnell@qliomaha.com

Type of Facility:

Quality Living, Inc. is a transitional and longer-term rehabilitation facility for individuals who have sustained brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, physical disabilities, and other central-nervous system dysfunction. At QLI an intern's career is impacted both by the clinical training and the unique corporate culture of one of the premiere rehabilitation facilities in the country. Although clinical models and organizational cultures are often distinct considerations, at QLI they are viewed as inextricably intertwined. Three times voted the #1 Best Place to Work in Omaha, QLI provides both a rich clinical experience and an opportunity to experience, and learn about, a most unique culture. The origin and history of our organization is branded by the single-minded pursuit of purpose, privacy, dignity, and independence for individuals with disabilities. Simply put, we are a non-profit corporation with the sole purpose of providing the highest quality rehabilitative care possible.

Rehabilitation Model:

QLI has developed a Tri-Dimensional model of rehabilitation that is uniquely conceptualized and without equal when zealously implemented. The model divides the rehabilitation process into three service dimensions. The first involves excellent basic health care and traditional restorative therapies. The second service dimension provides an active training program that focuses on the acquisition of applied and functional skills. The third dimension systematically addresses the individual's quality of life, including their acceptance of reality and enthusiasm for the future. QLI's model blends the best from medicine and education.
Most professionals working at QLI, and particularly those who have work experience in other health care systems, are quick to recognize that QLI's unique culture plays a significant role in their motivation and satisfaction. The creation and perpetuation of this culture has, at least in part, succeeded because psychologists have been the driving leadership force in this corporation since its inception, including Dr. Kim Hoogeveen, QLI's founding and current Chief Executive Officer. 
Conceptualization of programming draws from a wide range of theoretical psychological principles and current research in many disciplines. Treatment focuses on the acquisition and maintenance of applied and functional skills, including teaching interventions that are designed to be implemented by paraprofessionals working in the residents' home, therapy, and job environments. Interventions and therapies largely occur within the natural environment, and, in addition to being theoretically and scientifically sound, fit within a framework of "what makes sense."

Internship Faculty and Supervision:

The internship faculty is comprised of five doctoral level psychologists. Our psychologists come from backgrounds of rehabilitation psychology, clinical neuropsychology, educational psychology, school psychology, and counseling psychology. Dr. Jeff Snell provides the bulk of the supervision, although supervision is also available from Dr. Kim Hoogeveen, Dr. Dawn Heisler, Dr. Wendy Gagnon-Sully, and Dr. Jodi Palensky. The intern's experience is not organized on a rotation basis, but is individually designed based on the needs and interests of particular interns and the needs of the organization. Interns are provided supervision by licensed psychologists, a minimum of two hours weekly of individual supervision and one hour weekly of group supervision.   Because all of our psychologists are “on-site,” the opportunity for supervision and consultation exists throughout the learning opportunities that the ongoing provision of care in this environment affords.  Based on QLI need and intern interests, a variety of additional clinical supervision opportunities with other professionals exist. Interns also obtain Provisional Licensed Mental Health Professional licenses at the start of their internship.

Internship Opportunities:

This program is best described as an internship in rehabilitation psychology and neuropsychology. Interns participate in monthly didactic experience across the consortium (visiting all sites throughout the year), and supervised clinical and research experience is specific to each site. Interns carry a caseload of residents and are supervised in their work with individual and family psychotherapeutic and psychoeducational services, collaborative consultation, staff development training, family systems work, and curriculum development. Interns have the tremendous opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary setting with outstanding individuals in disciplines such as Physical Therapy, Life Skills, Speech-Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Discharge Coordination, Vocational Services, and others.
QLI serves residents who have been disabled as a result of severe brain injury or various forms of physical disability such as developmental disabilities, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury. Given the long-term residential nature of our facility and frequent short-term acute rehabilitation patients, we encounter the broadest spectrum of behavioral health problems. We commonly deal with anxiety and depression as it relates to the adjustment to disability process and there is extensive opportunity to work with families as they too have typically been affected by whatever disability brings their loved one to our campus. At any given time we may serve individuals who present with a variety of co-morbid diagnoses, such as eating disorder, psychosis, chronic pain disorder, diabetes, substance abuse, progressive dementia, impulse control disorder, personality disorders, and others.
We have an active outpatient psychological/neuropsychological assessment program in which interns are involved. Assessments include: Neuropsychological evaluations, vocational return-to-work evaluations, assessment of competence/capabilities, educational assessments, behavioral-psychological consultation, admission suitability assessments, dementia evaluations, and others. Assessments are conducted with children through geriatric populations. 
We believe that QLI offers a rich and exciting internship opportunity for doctoral candidates. Please contact Dr. Snell if you have any questions or would like to have additional information.

Rotations and Supervision:

Structured on an individual basis. Opportunities exist in individual and family psychotherapeutic and psychoeducational services, applied and functional neuropsychological and psychological evaluation, collaborative consultation, and staff development. Supplemental training opportunities include rotations in cognitive, psychological, speech/language, and neuropsychological assessment, family systems work, curriculum development, and vocational development.
Primary internship supervision is provided by Dr. Jeff Snell, Director of Internship Training, with a minimum of two hours weekly of individual and one hour weekly of group supervision. Additional supervision is provided by Drs. Kim Hoogeveen, Rehabilitation Psychologist, and Dr. Dawn Heisler. Based on agency need and intern interests, a variety of additional clinical supervision opportunities with other professionals exist in gaining a comprehensive understanding of rehabilitation.

Benefits:

Paid vacation days and sick days are provided. Interns receive support, including some financial remuneration as well as paid time off, for approved professional conferences.