VA Baltimore
Baltimore, Maryland
one review
Why did you choose this fieldwork?
Wanted to learn working for a nontraditonal healthcare system
Please indicate type of setting:
Inpatient, Outpatient, Acute, Rehabilitative, Psych
Please describe your living and commuting situation. (Was accomodation offered? Public transportation or parking offered? Please include price paid, location and conditions.)
I live within walking distance. A parking garages are available in addition to many bus lines as the hospital is located downtown.
Describe types of conditions or diagnoses, as well as age ranges exposed to during this fieldwork.
This was my psych affiliation: PTSD, Bipolar, Schizophrenia
Schizoaffective, Borderline, Adjustment, Agoraphobia, MDD
OCD, Anxiety
What types of assessments and interventions were used?
ACLS, KELS, Kitchen cooking safety, OT Goal checklist
OT self-evaluation
What are your thoughts on the site's environment for the employees and students? (Please consider: organization, collaboration, mentoring, learning opportunities)
Constructive feedback and attentiveness to facilitating a student's growth. Great staff who are avid learners and open to collaborative change. Upfront expectations and years of supervisory experience from staff, as the VA is a teaching hospital. My supervisor has years of experience in acute and addictions mental health clinics and is also a case manager. If you're looking to grow as a professional, I would recommend this site.
Please comment on personality traits and/or preparation that would facilitate success at this site.
I worked with nurses, nurse practitioners, psychologists, psychologists, vocational rehabilitation specialist, and peer support technician. I learned a lot from team meetings. Understanding group dynamics and listening to how patients present themselves at different portions of the day affected my learning experience. Different clinicians learn different things about the veteran, so this collaborative process is important in helping the veteran achieve their Recovery domain goal.
While in the area, don't miss ...
Visit UMMS and downtown Baltimore!
How many stars would you give your experience, from one to five?
5
Any lasting thoughts or advice?
Be a confident independent learner
Be observant
Empathic
Smile
I learned so much while at this site; many memories, much growth. The lessons learnt, people met and being able to see how the veterans transformed from the program have been priceless. I would recommend for a student to have stress management toolbox (for themselves) as things sometimes got overwhelming, clinically reason first and then seek supervision with reasoning, and be empathic and smile. Bring some new knowledge, be resourceful, and maintain your own occupational balance.
Review submitted December 29, 2009