The Grady Trauma Project Intern Program: Applications closed for Spring 2023, please check back for Summer 2023
Want to gain clinical experience recruiting and interviewing research participants?
Want to learn about trauma research methods?
Join our team!
What is the Grady Trauma Project?
The Grady Trauma Project (GTP) is a NIH-funded research project that investigates the relative contributions of genetic and environmental risk factors for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in a highly traumatized, low socioeconomic status minority population. All research is conducted at Grady Memorial Hospital in downtown Atlanta, Georgia.
What will you be doing as an intern?
The primary role of an intern is to conduct interviews with participants on their trauma history and psychological health in the waiting rooms of Grady Memorial Hospital.
Interns complete extensive clinical training in order to conduct the interviews independently, gaining meaningful skills in trauma research methods and the administering of clinical psychological measures. Through this work, interns will have the unique opportunity to develop a thorough knowledge of trauma and trauma-related disorders, and will become members of a team at the forefront of international PTSD research. In particular, interns will gain experience working directly with adults and/or children with a range of psychopathology, will develop critical clinical skills, and will be able to administer a number of widely used psychological assessment instruments with both chronic and acutely traumatized populations. Grady Trauma Project is one of the only programs in the country with the opportunity for interns to conduct clinical research without an advanced/graduate degree, therefore making a high level of commitment to the project a necessity.
Interns are expected to complete 6+ hours of clinical research tasks per week for a period of 6+ months. Weekly team meetings occur on Tuesday from 1-3pm at Grady Memorial Hospital (specialized project meetings also occur on Fridays at various times depending on the project) ***Currently held virtually due to COVID-19***
Intern Responsibilities
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Commit to 6+ hours per week average time over 6+ months (preferably 1 year with opportunities for longer for those who are interested) for participant screening and other commitments
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Screening Description:
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Recruit research participants from hospital waiting rooms for the largest epidemiological civilian trauma study in the world
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Approach potential participants, explain study and consent participants into the study
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Conduct research participant screens, including collecting participant trauma history, administering psychological symptom inventories, assessing alcohol and drug use, eating behavior, etc.
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Collect participant saliva sample for subsequent genetic analysis
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Complete required training, hospital orientation and necessary documentation as needed.
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Attend weekly staff meetings every Tuesday from 1-3pm and a regular intern skills training
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Help out with any other tasks around the project
**Please note that we are unable to write recommendation letters unless you have fully participated in the program for the required time commitment as outlined above**
How to Apply
Your completed application will include both an up-to-date CV as well as an interest statement including details about your research experience, your interest in the Grady Trauma Project, and your goals for the future. Please remember that individuals from MANY different disciplines and backgrounds and with different career goals thrive here at GTP — please let us know who YOU are!
Spring 2023 applications are now closed, but we will be accepting them again for summer 2023. Please check back!
For any questions, please email Natalie Merrill at
natalie.merrill@emory.edu