User:

Site Name: VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System

Department: Mental Health & Behavioral Science

Department : Mental Health & Behavioral Science

Click on a section title to expand or collapse individual sections.
Member Site Information
APPIC Member Number: 2217
Program Type: Internship
Membership Type: Full Membership
Site: VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System
Department: Mental Health & Behavioral Science
Address: 4101 Woolworth Ave
116A
Omaha, Nebraska 68105
Country: United States
Metro Area: Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Distance from Major City: Multiple Training Sites: Omaha, NE & Lincoln, NE (50 miles west of Omaha, NE) & Grand Island, NE (100 miles west of Lincoln, NE) & Norfolk, NE (75 miles North of Omaha, NE)
Phone: 402-995-3189
Fax:
Email: mark.weilage@va.gov
Web Address: https://www.va.gov/nebraska-western-iowa-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/
Brochure Website's Address: https://www.va.gov/nebraska-western-iowa-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/
Primary Agency Type: Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Additional Agency Types:
  • Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Member of APPIC since:
Accreditation
APA Accreditation Accredited
CPA Accreditation Not Accredited
Internship Staff/Faculty Information
Training Director: Mark Weilage
Chief Psychologist: Krista Krebs PhD
Number of Full-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 11
Number of Part-Time Licensed Doctoral Psychologists on Staff/Faculty 2
Position Information
Start Date: 07/15/2024
Funded
Number of Full Time Slots Expected Next Class: 6
Number of Part Time Slots Expected Next Class: 0
Stipend
Full Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 33469
Part Time Annual Stipend for Next Class: 0
Fringe Benefits: Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Sick Leave, Vacation
Other Fringe Benefits (not indicated above): See the brochure: https://www.va.gov/nebraska-western-iowa-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/ 11 Federal Holidays Discretionary: "AA" or Authorized Absence may be granted for up to 5 days for limited purposes - job interviews, post-doc interviews, dissertation defense - at the discretion of the Chief of Psychology and Training Director. These 5 days do not include additional AA granted for training activities deemed by the Training Director to be part of the Internship training itself (e.g., attending the Nebraska Psychological Association Fall and/or Spring conferences; attending VA-sponsored training elsewhere). Some additional discretionary "travel-related equivalent time off" for travel outside of regularly scheduled tour hours can, if granted, be used for specified education-related purposes described in brochure.
Brief description of the typical work day for an intern at this training site Interns spend at least 25% of Internship time in direct clinical care which includes both group and individual therapy as well as assessment. The rest of time is spent in supervision, report writing, didactics and other training such as preparing case presentations and didactic presentations plus rotation projects.. The minimum expectation (scheduled tour) is 8:00AM-4:30PM unless prior permission is granted for an alternative schedule. Interns are required to be on site M-F 8-4:30 unless arranged otherwise (40 hours per week). Interns have supervision on various days across the work week. There are two group supervision times common for all Interns to meet with each other and supervisors from several sites; times and weekdays may vary but have included a 90-minute group supervision, and a 90 minute Assessment Clinic group supervision. Interns also participate in at least 2 hours of individual supervision per week with days based on the schedules of the Intern and their on-site supervisor. Interns spend most of their intervention time with individual patients and depending on training site and rotation (if applicable) may be able to lead or co-lead psychoeducational and evidence-based psychotherapy groups. There is time for therapy documentation and assessment report writing reserved within the schedule. All training sites have the equivalent of day a week (8 hours) devoted to Assessment Clinic which is typically in one full day but can be broken up as needed. The most common communication among Interns (and staff) is via IM, email or face-to-face, with encryption or other security measures when patient information is handled. There is a half-hour for lunch and depending on Intern's schedule often followed by 30-minute protected time for Interns (if they so choose) to text or video-chat with each other across training sites currently via TEAMS. Interns also come together from all 4 training sites virtually via TEAMS for weekly didactics; these are internal to VA NWI and may originate from any of the NWI training sites. In the last 2/3rds of the year there is roughly 3-4 hours per month of Supervision Skills Training time with a focus on hands-on application of supervision skills including the possibility of both peer supervision of real cases as well as role plays of specific skills. There are no longer practicum students at any of our training sites.
Does this site have practicum psychology students on site? No
Is this program fully affiliated with one or more doctoral programs? No
Is this program partially affiliated with one or more doctoral programs? No
Internship Application Process
Accepting Applicants: Yes
Application Due Date: 11/26/2023 11:59 PM EST
Interviews at this site are: Not Offered
A Virtual Interview is: Required
Interview notification date: 12/15/2023
Tentative interview date: 01/11/2024, 01/12/2024
Interview process description:

Applicants for 2024-25 will be able to choose to apply to one or all or any combination of the four training sites (Grand Island, Lincoln, Norfolk, Omaha) through 4 different Match numbers.  The training sites are ranked separately by both applicant and Internship.  There is a single interview process that is sufficient for any or all of the training sites of interest.  Interviews for all 4 sites will all take place via TEAMS (preferred) or other available virtual platform by special arrangement, with representatives of NWI faculty from most or all of the 4 main training sites in attendance. 

Interview dates are typically early in January on a Thursday and Friday, with a possible additional day added if needed.  

The virtual platform available for interviews at our VA will be outlined in the interview invitation; at this point the preferred platform is likely to be TEAMS although this may change and other platforms may also be available.

Individuals with disabilties requesting reasonable accommodations under ADA and the Federal Rehabilitation Act are asked to do so in writing as soon as possible after an invitation to interview has been offered in order to faciliate the interview process.

For more information about our 4 training tracks and the application process, as well as our description of "best fit," please see our webpage for our brochure which has been updated for the 2024-25 training year.  

https://www.va.gov/nebraska-western-iowa-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/

In addition, please see the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa website for more information about NWI more generally.

https://www.nebraska.va.gov

All Interns train to the same profession-wide competencies.

 
How to obtain application info: Visit Website
Preferred method of contacting the program: Email the Program
We have matched with interns from these programs: Howard University, University of Kansas, California Lutheran University, University of North Dakota, University of Southern Alabama, University of St. Thomas, Midwestern University- Glendale, William James College, Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, Regent University, Fielding Graduate University, Georgia Professional Psychology Argosy-Atlanta, Adler University, The Chicago Professional School of Psychology (all campuses), Arizona School of Professional Psychology, Divine Mercy University, Fuller Theological Seminary, Florida School of Professional Psychology, Minnesota School of Professional Psychology - Argosy Twin Cities, American School of Professional Psychology - Argosy Southern California, Alliant International University - CSPP Los Angeles, Alliant International University - CSPP San Diego, University of New Mexico, University of Idaho, Ponce Health Sciences University, Antioch University-Seattle, University of La Verne University, Brigham Young University, Azusa Pacific University, National Louis University,
Internship Applicant Requirements
US Citizenship Required: Yes
If NOT a U.S. Citizen, Authorization to Work or to Engage in Practical Training (CPT or OPT) in the US is Required: No
Canadian Citizenship Required: No
If NOT a Canadian Citizen, Authorization to Work in Canada or to Engage in Practical Training (CPT or OPT) in Canada is Required: No
Masters Degree Required: No
Comprehensive Exams Passed: Yes, by start of internship
Dissertation Proposal Approved: Yes, by ranking deadline
Dissertation Defended: No
Minimum Number of AAPI Intervention Hours (if applicable): 350
Minimum Number of AAPI Assessment Hours (if applicable): 50
Minimum Number of Combined Intervention and Assessment Hours (if applicable):
Minimum Number of Years of Grad Training Required (if applicable): 4
Accepted / Not-Accepted Program Types
Clinical Psychology Accepted
Counseling Psychology Accepted
School Psychology Not Accepted
APA-Accredited Accepted
CPA-Accredited Accepted
PCSAS-Accredited Accepted
Non-Accredited Not Accepted
Ph.D Degree Accepted
Psy.D. Degree Accepted
Ed.D. Degree Not Accepted
This institution, department, internship, or postdoctoral program requires trainees to sign a statement about personal behavior and/or religious beliefs as a condition of admission and/or retention in the program: No
How to obtain text of statement:
Other Requirements: See the "Internship admissions, support, and initial placement data" within the following webpage: https://www.va.gov/nebraska-western-iowa-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/
Program Description

https://www.va.gov/nebraska-western-iowa-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/

See also:

https://www.nebraska.va.gov

 The doctoral internship is a 52-week full-time training program in clinical psychology focused on training "excellent generalists" prepared for delivery of high quality care to rural and highly rural Veterans. The NWI Internship currently offers 6 training positions within 4 training tracks across the 4 training sites (Grand Island, Lincoln, Omaha and Norfolk).

The internship begins on Monday July 15, 2024.  For the 2024-25 training year, we have 6 training positions across the 4 training sites.  

All Interns achieve the same profession-wide competencies but have variations in the journey.  Two tracks have rotations whereas the others do not, but follow the rotation calendar for the evaluation process.  

The Grand Island-based Interns spend one day per week in the PTSD rotation, and one day per week in the Assessment Clinic.  The other rotations are General Outpatient Mental Health (GMH) and Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) . The Grand Island track includes both individual and group work in the outpatient clinic (both GMH and PTSD) as well as group work within the residential substance abuse treatment program as part of the GMH rotation. 

The Lincoln-based Intern has three year-long ‘rotations’ – GMH 2 days per week; PTSD 1 day per week; and Assessment Clinic one day per week.  The GMH and PTSD training in Lincoln are primarily individual therapy experiences, although some group work may become available.  There is an outpatient intensive substance abuse treatment program, and in the past some Interns in Lincoln have participated in the Anger Management group in this program.  Provided the Intern is meeting expectations and if sufficient clinical experiences are available, they can request some of their GMH hours to be used within the PCMHI treatment environment.

The Norfolk-based Intern does not have separate rotations nor different supervisors for different types of intervention cases.  The Norfolk-based Intern trains to the same competencies as the other training sites with a similar array of case types but in the order of how they walk in the door, rather than through rotational structure.  The Norfolk-based Intern does more travel to the other training sites than his/her peers, which is also typical of rural psychology practice.  When traveling to other training sites using the VA station vehicle, the Norfolk-based Intern can expand his or her clinical training experience and supervision across the other training sites.

The Omaha VA training structure has two year-long intervention rotation – one with the PTSD/PCT team and the other with the outpatient General Mental Health (GMH) team under a BHIP supervisor. The Omaha-based Interns participate in a year-long Assessment Clinic and shares didactics and group supervision with trainees and supervisors across four training sites. There are possible opportunities for elective experiences in areas such as residential treatment, PCMHI, and whole health.

Applicants invited to interview for the six open positions are eligible to rank any or all of the 4 tracks/training sites.  All tracks are interviewed on January 11th or 12th (if invited) with participating faculty representing the range of training sites.  Each track is ranked separately by both applicant & NWI with a single interview despite using the 4 different Match numbers.

This is a single unified Internship program within a Scholar-Practitioner model with the aim of developing competent, well-rounded psychologists prepared for independent practice as “excellent generalists” in rural America.  That said, the majority of our trainees have gone on to Post-Doctoral training with others going into entry level jobs.  Training is the primary goal of the program, with delivery of patient care in a variety of clinical settings, consultation-liaison services, didactics, and supervision or mentoring as the primary methods of training. Interns work with a variety of Veterans in respect to background, cultures, age, and disabilities, and presenting concerns with a particular emphasis on developing the range of skills relevant to generalist rural practice.  The goal is to meet all core competencies as defined by APA including development of core interprofessional competencies to allow graduates to become high functioning members of interprofessional health care teams.

The NWI internship site agrees to abide by the APPIC policy that no person at this training facility will solicit, accept, or use any ranking-related information from any intern applicant. 

See Brochure for details.

Internship Training Opportunities

Populations
Infants:
Toddlers:
Children:
Adolescents:
Adults: Yes
Family:
Older Adults: Yes
Inpatients:
Outpatients: Yes
Gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender: Yes
Ethnic minorities: Yes
Spanish-speaking:
French-speaking:
Deaf/Hearing-impaired:
Students:
International Students:
Rural: Yes
Urban: Yes
Low income: Yes
Homelessness: Yes
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Treatment Modalities
Assessment: Experience (21% to 30%)
Individual Therapy: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Couples Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Family Therapy:
Group Therapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Community Intervention:
Consultation/Liaison: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Crisis Intervention: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Brief Psychotherapy: Experience (21% to 30%)
Long-term Psychotherapy: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Cognitive Rehabilitation:
Primary Care: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Evidenced Based Practice: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Evidence Based Research:
Supervision of Practicum students :
Other:

(training opportunities continued)

Experience
Health Psychology: Experience (21% to 30%)
Women's Health: Exposure (1% to 20%)
HIV/AIDS:
Eating Disorders:
Sexual Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Sports Psychology:
Rehabilitation Psychology:
Physical Disabilities: Experience (21% to 30%)
Learning Disabilities:
Developmental Disabilities:
Assessment: Experience (21% to 30%)
Neuropsychology-Adult: Experience (21% to 30%)
Neuropsychology-Child:
Serious Mental Illness: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Anxiety Disorders: Experience (21% to 30%)
Trauma/PTSD: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Sexual Abuse: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Substance Use Disorders: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Forensics/Corrections:
Sexual Offenders:
Geropsychology: Experience (21% to 30%)
Pediatrics:
School:
Counseling:
Vocational/Career Development:
Multicultural Therapy:
Feminist Therapy:
Religion/Spirituality:
Empirically-Supported Treatments: Emphasis (31% to 49%)
Public Policy/Advocacy:
Program Development/Evaluation: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Supervision: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Research:
Administration:
Integrated health care - primary: Experience (21% to 30%)
Integrated health care - specialty: Exposure (1% to 20%)
Other:

For general information please see our webpage: 

https://www.va.gov/nebraska-western-iowa-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/

Not all experiences or exposures are available at all sites.  For example, some sites have exposure to Primary Care settings while others do not.  However, interns at all sites can arrange to travel occasionally to other training sites for exposure to training experiences not otherwise available - eg., certain groups, biofeedback, residential services, etc.)  All interns across all training tracks train to the same 9 Profession-Wide Competencies defined by APA Commission on Accreditation.

 

Additional information about training opportunities: Not all rotations or training experiences may be available as described in the APPIC Directory. Please consult the program's application materials or their website at: https://www.va.gov/nebraska-western-iowa-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/  for a complete description of the training opportunities available at this training site. IF the site has not updated their information by August 1, feel free to contact the Training Director for additional information.

Summary of the Characteristics of the Specified Internship Class
2017-2018 2018-2019 2019-2020 2020-2021 2021-2022 2022-2023 2023-2024
Number of Completed Applications: 39 42 42 32 44 0 17
Number of applicants invited for interviews: 35 30 30 39 0 12
Total number of interns: 7 8 7 7 7 0 4
Total number of interns from APA/CPA accredited programs: 7 8 7 7 7 0 4
Total number of interns from Ph.D. programs: 2 4 4 3 5 0 1
Total number of interns from Psy.D. programs: 5 4 3 4 2 0 3
Total number of interns from Ed.D. programs: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Number of interns that come from a Clinical Psychology program 7 8 7 6 6 0 3
Number of interns that come from a Counseling Psychology program 0 0 0 1 1 0 1
Number of interns that come from a School Psychology program 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Range of integrated assessment reports: lowest number of reports written 3 3 5 5 0 0 5
Range of integrated assessment reports: highest number of reports written 45 30 30 55 50 0 55
Summary of Post Internship Employment Settings of Each Internship Class (1st Placement)
2022-2023
Academic teaching: 0
Community mental health center: 0
Consortium: 0
University Counseling Center: 0
Hospital/Medical Center: 0
Veterans Affairs Health Care System: 0
Psychiatric facility: 0
Correctional facility: 0
Health Maintenance Organization: 0
School district/system: 0
Independent practice setting: 0
Other (Academic Psychology Department): 0
Back to the Search Page