Cara Bussell, PhD

Experience

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  United States Air Force

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2007

  Pharmacy Technician / Power Production
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  Portland VA Medical Center

  Mar 2005 - Dec 2005

  • Perform basic laboratory duties, including but not limited to making solutions, ordering supplies, and ensuring compliance with lab safety and regulatory requirements• Carry out western blot assays using chemifluorescence detection system• Determine concentrations of proteins in biological samples using spectrophotometer and microplate reader• Collect and perform statistical analyses of behavioral and weight data using ANOVA and other statistical applications • Complete an eight-hour training course for the operation and troubleshooting of gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy interments• Create written drafts of research protocols Show less • Assist in a research study of sleep nightmares in veterans with PTSD• Conduct screening, titration, and study visits with participants• Collect data on vital signs • Responsible for scheduling research participants for study visits • Prepare and maintain individual binders and study forms for participants’ study visits • Attend weekly research meetings and journal clubs • Observe Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID) and Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) interviews with participants Show less

  • Volunteer - Lab Research Assistant

    May 2005 - Dec 2005

  • Volunteer - Clinical Research Assistant

    Mar 2005 - Sept 2005
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  Oregon Health and Science University

  Jan 2006 - Oct 2008

  Division of Endocrinology• Manage daily operations of studies and assure study protocol compliance• Schedule and confirm participant appointments and maintain study calendar• Act as a primary contact for studies• Collect participant vital signs • Draw, process, and ship human blood samples• Assemble source documents and lab kits• Initiate patient randomization and enrollment• Maintain accurate and complete study documentation• Function as a liaison between the study team, research subjects, drug companies, study monitors and several hospital departments Show less Sleep & Mood Disorders Lab• Perform radioimmunoassays (RIAs) to assess the concentration of melatonin in biological samples• Train and supervise lab assistants to perform RIAs and general lab maintenance• Initiate and record several RIA related studies, which gives lab guidance about sample handling procedures and assay protocols• Help lab make transition to accepting samples from out-of-area participants• Create and maintain participant profiles • Assist lab in passing quality control and radiation inspections • Responsible for lab supply maintenance and ordering• Draw human blood samples for laboratory purposes Show less

  • Study Coordinator

    Nov 2007 - Oct 2008

  • Registry Coordinatory

    Jul 2007 - Oct 2007

  • Research Assistant

    Jan 2006 - Jun 2007
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  Phoenix Multisport, Inc.

  Aug 2011 - Jun 2017

  • Mountain Bike Guide

    Aug 2011 - Jun 2017

  • Colorado Springs Chapter Manager

    Aug 2011 - Aug 2014
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  University of Colorado Colorado Springs

  Aug 2014 - Aug 2020

  Received PhD in clinical psychology with an emphasis in geropsychology in August of 2020 National Science Foundation Grant through Dr. Brandon Gavett, Ph.D.Investigating Elderly Computer Users' Susceptibility to PhishingThis project sought to understand whether older adults are more susceptible than younger adults to online phishing, and to identify cognitive variables that predict phishing susceptibility.

  • PHD Student

    Aug 2014 - Aug 2020

  • Research Assistant

    Aug 2014 - Sept 2017
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  University of Colorado Colorado Springs - Wellness Center

  Jan 2015 - Jun 2015

  Practicum Student
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  The Geneva Foundation

  May 2015 - Jun 2019

  Research Assistant

  Baseline Concussion ExaminerConduct the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) assessmentsCarry out the Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC)Conduct the Wechsler Test of Adult Reading (WTAR)

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  Aging Center

  Jun 2015 - Jun 2017

  Practicum Student

  Neuropsychology Trainee June 2016 – June 2017• Conducted clinical interviews with clients and collateral interviews with family members and healthcare providers• Completed flexible battery assessment administration, scoring, and interpretation• Integrated information from outside records, behavioral observations, and assessment performance• Wrote comprehensive neuropsychological reports that included recommendations for clients and their caregivers• Provided feedback to clients and their caregivers• Received individual supervision focused on assessment, differential diagnosis, treatment recommendations, and report writing • Participated in group supervision and observation of other students delivering assessmentsPsychology Trainee June 2015 – June 2017• Co-facilitated/facilitated wellness group and caregiver group sessions• Performed short and long-term individual psychotherapy with older adults• Provided caregiver psychotherapy• Tracked client progress using a variety of instruments such as the Geriatric Depression Scale and Outcome Rating Scale• Collaborated with clients to create psychotherapeutic treatment contracts• Conducted semi-structured intake interviews incorporating brief assessments for individual and group therapy clients before integrating the results into reports• Presented psychotherapy cases at team meetings to receive feedback about case and delivery of presentation• Received weekly supervision with an emphasis on case conceptualization, client status, and treatment planning• Attended monthly didactics related to a wide variety of topics including specific therapeutic techniques and the process of client termination from psychotherapy Show less

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  Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care

  Jun 2016 - May 2017

  Practicum Student

  • Conducted individual and family psychotherapy for palliative care and hospice clients and their caregivers• Performed cognitive and personality assessments to better understand clients and provide guidance to the care team• Received weekly supervision to discuss client status and team integration• Engaged in weekly multidisciplinary team meetings to understand needs of treatment teams and give recommendations for ongoing client care

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  Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

  Jun 2017 - Jun 2018

  Practicum Student

  • Planned, co-facilitated/facilitated, and documented pain-management and wellness groups on a weekly basis• Administered, scored, interpreted, and provided feedback to the client and the treatment team on financial, independent living, and medical decision-making capacity assessments• Conducted semi-structured clinical intake interviews and assessments• Provided short and long-term individual psychotherapy sessions for community dwelling, low-income, older adults• Engaged in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss client goals, needs, and treatment recommendations• Wrote intake, termination and transfer of care reports Show less

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  PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF THE PIKES PEAK REGION

  Aug 2017 - Jun 2019

  Treasurer
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  National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN)

  Jan 2018 - Dec 2018

  Student Representative
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  Norton Sound Health Corporation

  Jul 2019 - Jun 2020

  Pre Doctoral Intern

  • Delivered trainings to nursing home staff on caregiver burnout and dementia care best practices• Provided psychotherapy services for nursing home residents• Acted as a behavioral health consultant for hospital-based integrated health teams• Provided psychological support in primary care setting; assessed patients seen by medical doctors for depression, anxiety, suicidality, and substance use; assisted with referrals and setting up services through outpatient behavioral health clinic • Delivered regular services to a remote village in an Alaska Native community• Practiced multicultural psychology with Alaska Natives from a number of tribes• Administered psychological assessments in a culturally sensitive manner dealing with diverse referral issues• Provided psychological assessment and psychotherapy services via telemed• Planned, facilitated, and documented psychoeducational groups for clients with substance use disorders• Delivered short and long-term outpatient mental health services• Regularly provided crisis interventions in outpatient setting• Assessed and documented client intake, treatment planning, progress, termination, and transfer of care• Collaborated with psychiatry providers, social workers, clinical associates, parole officers, and school principals to provide highest level of client care Show less

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  Pittsburgh Veterans Affairs Medical Center

  Aug 2020 - Aug 2021

  Post Doctoral Fellow

  Geropsychology Post-doctoral Fellow • Completed psychological, cognitive, and capacity assessments of clients in a variety of settings including nursing homes, assisted living, and living independently• Administered, scored, interpreted, and delivered feedback of comprehensive neuropsychological assessments• Conducted brief cognitive assessments and clinical interviews for the Geriatric Driving Safety Clinic• Delivered case presentations and lectures on topics in geropsychology including capacity assessments, agism, caregiver stress, vascular dementia, LGBTQ considerations, and administration of the St. Louis University Mental Status Examination (SLUMS)• Provided memory skills training sessions to older adults• Provided evidenced based psychotherapy services for clients in a variety of settings• Assessed nursing home residents for concerning behaviors and developed behavior management plans• Attended weekly interdisciplinary team meetings to coordinate client care• Provided supervision to interns• Served on Diversity Subcommittee Show less

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  Self-employed

  Nov 2021 - now

  Private Practice
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  Psychological Society of the Pikes Peak Region

  Jun 2022 - now

  President - Board Position