Los Angeles County-Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Program

The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center provides a comprehensive two-year program specializing in child and adolescent psychiatry. This program is a collaboration involving the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, and the University of California at Los Angeles. Harbor-UCLA operates as a crucial safety-net hospital serving approximately 3 million residents, primarily focusing on low-income and underserved minority populations.

Fellows in this program will gain experience across a diverse array of patient populations, diagnoses, and treatment environments. Although the primary clientele may include youths insured through public programs or without insurance, fellows will also have opportunities to engage with a more affluent patient base at UCLA Westwood during elective rotations. The training encompasses various systems responsible for youth care, such as schools, foster care networks, juvenile justice, and developmental disability regional centers, all of which are vital for enhancing mental health outcomes in this demographic 1.

Curriculum and Rotations

The Child and Adolescent Fellowship is skillfully designed to offer a balanced educational experience characterized by quality clinical exposure and developmental insights into the needs of children and families. Fellows are encouraged to adopt comprehensive perspectives that incorporate psychodynamic, psychosocial, biological, behavioral, and cognitive orientations. With emphasis laid on both competence and compassion, the curriculum enables fellows to refine their diagnostic acumen and foster mastery of evidence-based treatment modalities in child mental health.1

The fellowship includes structured rotations through various settings. In the first year (CAP I), fellows spend significant time in inpatient and outpatient environments, treating children and transitional age youths at Harbor-UCLA clinic and the Semel Institute at UCLA. Performance evaluations involve tri-weekly consultations in pediatric emergency rooms and continuity of care through outpatient clinics. Moreover, fellows receive mentorship and supervision during these critical experiences 23.

During the second year (CAP II), the focus shifts towards specialization and consolidation of clinical skills. Fellows will partake in a sub-specialty clinic aimed at follow-ups with patients post-discharge from psychiatric hospitalization, alongside responsibilities involving education of pediatric residents in child mental health 3.

Research Opportunities

The program encourages fellows to engage in research methodologies relevant to child mental health and to become adept in critically analyzing existing literature in the field. This emphasis on research not only enhances the educational experience but also prepares fellows to contribute to advancements in child psychiatry upon graduation 1.

Professional Development

Upon completion of the fellowship, graduates will be equipped for independent practice in both child and adolescent psychiatry, as well as adult psychiatry. They will be eligible for certification examinations by specialty boards. The program seeks to develop leaders in service delivery, education, and public sector psychiatry 1.

Living and Working Conditions

Financially, fellows benefit from competitive salaries alongside comprehensive health insurance options, including dental and vision coverage. Monthly salaries for the fellowship are structured as follows: PGY-5 fellows receive approximately $7,036.77 and PGY-6 fellows receive around $7,513.54 4.

Fellows are granted generous leave policies, including 25 vacation days and 8 paid sick days per year, fostering a supportive work-life balance. Meals are provided at no cost during shifts, along with reimbursement for lunches on off-site rotations 4.

In terms of accommodations, many fellows choose to reside in nearby areas such as Torrance, Long Beach, and Culver City, benefitting from the diverse and vibrant lifestyle of Los Angeles 4.

Visa Support

The program provides visa support to international medical graduates, with the capability to sponsor J-1 visas, essential for those pursuing medical training in the United States. This offers valuable opportunities for candidates who require sponsorship for their fellowship training 1.

Application Competitiveness

The application process for the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at Harbor-UCLA is known to be highly competitive. It welcomes candidates from various backgrounds, including both MD and DO graduates along with international medical graduates (IMGs). Special application requirements may include considerations regarding the year of graduation and the maximum allowed failed United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step attempts, which the program outlines in its specific guidelines 1.

Unique Aspects of the Program

A unique aspect of this fellowship is its strong commitment to training in public sector child and adolescent psychiatry, providing fellows a distinct experience in working with communities in need. The program emphasizes comprehensive care strategies that encompass a multidisciplinary approach, integrating professionals from various fields such as pediatrics, psychology, and social services, fostering a holistic treatment environment 1.