[AVAPL Members] Re: licensure question as it related to supervision
- From: "McNamara, Kathleen M." <Kathleen.McNamara@xxxxxx>
- To: "VHA Psychology Internship Directors" <VHAPID@xxxxxxxxxxx>, "members1@xxxxxxxxx" <'members1@xxxxxxxxx'>
- Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2011 21:22:09 -0800
Aloha, All -
It would seem that this is an issue that we, who train the largest
number of interns in the nation, should submit for review by ASPPB. If
we cannot communicate with ASPPB as part of the VA, then perhaps AVAPL
or DIV 18's VA Section could take up the cause. I realize that each
State can require whatever that Board decides, but some advocacy on our
part may allow them to submit to their membership a request to consider
the mobility of psychologists. At the Pacific Islands VAHCS , similar
to what Steve does in Washington, we advise the interns early in the
year to check the ASPPB web site to review the requirements in any State
where they think they MIGHT locate after completing the internship to be
sure that any documentation is in place that they may need later and/or
to be sure that they are going to meet the supervision guidelines. We
began this "advisory" after we had one of our Interns rejected by a
licensing board since one of our supervisors was not five years
post-licensure! It would be so much better if ASPPB could achieve some
standardization in this area among its members.
Kathleen M. McNamara, Ph.D., ABPP
Lead Professional, Psychology
Staff Psychologist, Maui VA CBOC
808-871-2454
From: McCutcheon, Stephen R.
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 8:53 AM
To: Hsu, Jeanette; Putnam, Katherine M.; Shaw, Keith; Siegel, Wayne;
Zeiss, Robert A.; Crema, Kathryn C.; VHA Psychology Internship
Directors; 'members1@xxxxxxxxx'
Subject: RE: licensure question as it related to supervision
My understanding of this requirement is similar to Jeanette's. I'd only
add that this is one of those questions which it's important to directly
ask your state licensing board, since there's so much variability in
state laws and regulations. For example, in Washington, there's no
provision to allow 'primary' vs. 'secondary' supervision - a supervisor
is either qualified or is not. Such hours presumably wouldn't count
toward licensure here. Because of such variability across jurisdictions,
I make it a point at the beginning of the training year that interns and
fellows should familiarize themselves with the licensure requirements of
those states in which they might seek licensure (by reviewing the
regulations on the ASPPB website), and to collaborate with me to ensure
that their training year fulfills these requirements. I make it my
responsibility to be on top of WA state law, but have to rely on them to
keep informed about requirements in other states. It's been an easy
thing to do and has given trainees peace of mind.
Steve
Steve McCutcheon, PhD
Director, Psychology Training
VA Puget Sound, Seattle
From: Hsu, Jeanette
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 10:34 AM
To: Putnam, Katherine M.; Shaw, Keith; Siegel, Wayne; Zeiss, Robert A.;
Crema, Kathryn C.; VHA Psychology Internship Directors;
'members1@xxxxxxxxx'
Subject: RE: licensure question as it related to supervision
Hello Kathy,
You are right that psychologists working within VA who are currently
licensed in any state are qualified and can be credentialed to practice
within VA. Such appropriately credentialed psychologists can also
supervise interns (e.g., be the designated provider for encounters and
co-signer of notes). APA Guidelines and Principles for accreditation
also allow supervisors within VA to be licensed in another state.
But when you state that WI law requires that primary supervisors have 3
years post-licensure experience, I assume that you mean that interns
need to be supervised by WI's definition of supervision by an
appropriately qualified supervisor in order to receive their hours for
licensure in WI. Since each state has the right to regulate their state
licensure laws, this situation could pose problems for your interns
seeking future licensure within WI as the interns' supervised experience
may not meet WI's requirements. Similarly, states like FL and CA also
require that pre-licensure hours be supervised by psychologists licensed
within the state the internship is located, no matter that such
psychologists are appropriately credentialed by VA to practice within a
federal system.
I hope this answers your question and helps you in considering the
hiring of your new psychologist. Others may have something else to add
to this discussion.
Jeanette
Jeanette Hsu, Ph.D.
Training Director, Psychology Service
VA Palo Alto Health Care System
From: Putnam, Katherine M.
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 10:00 AM
To: Shaw, Keith; Siegel, Wayne; Zeiss, Robert A.; Crema, Kathryn C.; VHA
Psychology Internship Directors; members1@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: licensure question as it related to supervision
Hello Internship Training Directors et al. ,
Please pardon me for this long-winded question. We are on a fast
time-line as we need to hire a new psychologist. We found someone who is
excellent, however, there may be a licensing/supervision glitch which I
will try to explain succinctly below.
I am aware that VA Psychologists can practice in any VA with any current
state license. I am also aware that we have to adhere to the regulations
of our own licensing boards per our state license. However, I have a
question concerning the state in which one practices in the VA.
WI (where our VA is located) requires that a primary psychology
supervisor must have 3 years post-licensure experience. A "secondary"
supervisor only needs to be licensed. However, the "secondary"
supervisor must be supervised by a primary. This means that the primary
supervisor must meet with the "secondary" supervisor weekly -it also
means that the interns and Veterans under the "secondary" supervisors
are the responsibility (legally and training-wise) of the primary. This
is a lot of responsibility, and our program is new and it is small.
My hope is that since this gentleman is licensed in MD -the WI statute
would not apply -that the federal and MD law would override the WI
3-year requirement and that he could then be a primary supervisor.
Can anyone help with this issue? Thank you very much.
Kathy
Katherine M. Putnam, Ph. D.
PTSD / SUD Specialist
Director of Psychology Training
Wm. S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital
2500 Overlook Terrace
Madison, WI 53705-2286
Messages: (608) 280-7073
Fax: (608) 280-7296
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