Transcript Document

Building Successful Partnerships and Rotations:
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS) HPPAE
Experience
Jennifer Husted, LCSW
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
November 20, 2014
History of VA/HPPAE Partnership
 10 year partnership between University of
Pittsburgh HPPAE and the VA
 25+ year relationship between University of
Pittsburgh School of Social Work and the VA
 VA has committed to:
• At least 2 HPPAE students every academic
year since 2004
• VAPHS has between 7-9 MSW intern
stipends each academic year
VA Student Selection Process
 Centralized Application Process
 Applications Due June 1
 Application packets:
• Transcripts
• Letters of recommendation
• Writing sample
• Resume
VA Student Selection Process
 Application packets of all potential
candidates reviewed by Student Program
Coordinator/Co-Coordinator
 Interviews arranged
• In person
• Phone
 Interviews format
• Opening questions
• PBI Questions
VA Student Selection Process
 Review of student interviews, areas of interest, and
potential field instructors
 Matching of students with potential field instructors
 Second interviews with student and field instructors
 Final selection of students
 Communication with university for accepted and
declined students
HPPAE Selection Process
 Anticipated that 2 HPPAE students are
accepted each year
 More than 2 could be selected based on
overall applicants and available field
instructors and sites
Serving Older Veterans
Includes but not limited to:
• GRECC-Geriatric Research Education and
Clinical Centers
• Geriatric Evaluation and Management Clinic
• Inpatient Psychiatry
• Inpatient Acute Care (55% of Veterans
served are 60 years or older)
Serving Older Veterans
Community Living Center (CLC): 262 bed facility
o Dementia Specialty Care Unit- Secured Unit for Veterans with
dementia and wandering or exit seeking behaviors
o Hospice/ Palliative Care Unit
o Rehabilitation unit focuses on a shorter LOS with Short Stay
rehabilitation therapies (Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy,
Speech Therapy) and resuming most independent functional
living setting
o Skilled nursing care
o Transitional Care Unit
o In House Respite Admissions
o Long Term Care program provides resident-centered care to
eligible Veterans who make the CLC their home
VA Placement Opportunities
Experienced Instructors:
• Strong primary placement with dedicated field instructor
• Field instructors must be VA employee for at least 2 years
and have at least a “fully successful” on performance
evaluation
• Utilization of task supervisors for additional assignments
• Educational events
• Shadowing at alternate sites
• Participation with field instructors on committee work
• MSW intern group meetings
• Case presentations
VA Placement Opportunities
Rotational Experience:
• Intra-rotational or
internal rotations fit
best with second year
students
• Ex: VAMC
opportunities; GRECC,
GEM, Community
Living Center, Spinal
Cord Clinic
Intra-Rotational Experience
Option 1: Switch Field Instructors
• Communication between Student Program
Coordinator and the assigned field instructors
• One field instructor each semester
• Field instructor for semester takes ownership of field
learning plan, evaluation, and school meetings
• Second semester field instructor will consider
feedback from first semester
• If there are student issues, will readdress the
placement plan
Intra-Rotational Experience
Continued
Example of rotations:
• 2 field instructors:
 GEM Clinic/Inpatient Psychiatry
o One student rotating assignment based on
requested experiences ; 2 program areas
o New field instructor at each assignment
 Community Living Center
o 2 students assigned each year to different
units
o 2 field instructors that switch at semester
Intra-Rotational Experience
Continued
Option 2: Maintain primary field instructor and
add a task supervisor
• Field instructor has primary responsibility
for student, including field learning plan,
evaluations and meetings with school of
social work
• Field instructor also provides formal weekly
supervision to the student
Intra-Rotational Experience
Continued
Example Rotations:
• One field instructor, task supervisor
 Often in closely related areas
 First semester–inpatient behavioral health unit
 Second semester–inpatient behavioral health
and CTAD group work
 Task supervisor provides supervision for all
work in CTAD
 Field instructor maintains responsibility for
student
Challenges
 Some students love
the rotational
options and the
opportunity to have
multiple
experiences.
 Others find it
difficult to “switch
gears” mid stream.
Benefits
 Our goal through the
rotational field model
is that all HPPAE
students gain
proficiency in the
CSWE geriatric
competencies.
Communication with the University
 Ongoing communication with HPPAE program
directors
 Processing past year with university staff
 Setting goals for academic year with
university staff
Multi-Faceted Relationship Between
University of Pittsburgh and VA
 MSW Internship Program
 Field Instructors:
• University of Pittsburgh CE to field instructors (50%
discount)
• HPPAE special programs for field instructors
• Reduced college credit
• Attend leadership presentations
 Formal Case Presentations
• All University of Pittsburgh VA MSW students
present
• VA and university staff attend the full-day
event
University of Pittsburgh/VA
Partnership Success
“The HPPAE students have presented to field
placement year after year with
determination and focus. There is intention
in their goal setting and a passion to make a
difference in the field of social work.”
–Jennifer Rochkind (Field Instructor and HPPAE Fellow)