Central Texas Veterans Health Care System
Social Work Service - Student Program
Overview
As part of the teaching mission of Central Texas Veterans Health Care Services (CTVHCS), and from a commitment to a continued contribution to the field of social work, the Social Work Service Student Program provides a qualitative field practicum program for graduate level social work students. Through a structured interview process, interns are selected for placement in various VA medical and mental health programs within Central Texas in order to meet the educational needs and requirements stipulated by the student, the VA, and the affiliated graduate schools.
The CTVHCS Social Work Student Program has a collaborative partnership with Affiliated Universities to allow Graduate Social Work students to conduct a 500 hour internship at one of the facilities within the CTVHCS (the University may require more hours). Current Affiliated Universities include: Baylor University, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Texas at Arlington, Texas State University, University of Houston, Our Lady of the Lake University, the University of Southern California, and New England University. CTVHCS is only able to provide internships for graduate students at Affiliated Universities who are seeking placement for their final field experience.
VA Preceptors, or Field Instructors, are currently located at the Temple, Cedar Park, Austin, and Waco sites. All VA Preceptors are Licensed Clinical Social Workers with at least three years of experience working in the VA system. Some of the clinical placements offered include, but are not limited to: Homeless Program (HCHV), VA Supportive Housing (VASH), Substance Abuse Treatment Program (SATP, PTSD Clinical Team (PCT), OEF/OIF/OND Program, Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL) Program located at the University of Texas at Austin, Primary Care, Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH), Suicide Prevention, and Mental Health. Administrative social work field placements are also offered at CTVHCS.
The CTVHCS Student Program Coordinator, Sarah Frazier, LCSW-S, oversees the Student Program and is located at the Austin site. The Coordinator works closely with Affiliated Universities to recruit applicants and to facilitate the intern selection process. Each year, recruitment begins in February and internship interviews for the subsequent Fall and Spring semester placements are held in March. Selections are announced no later than April. Occasionally, internship placements do become available outside of the structured interview process. Please contact the Student Program Coordinator directly for information on such opportunities.
Stipends may be available for some internship placements. The stipend amount is currently $5,780 per block semester (500 hours). Interns at the CTVHCS receive weekly hour-long supervision with their Preceptors, and are also required to participate in a regularly scheduled Group Seminar. Seminars are facilitated at the Austin and Temple sites by the Student Program Liaison for each location.
Being an intern for the Central Texas Veteran’s Healthcare System is a rewarding and valuable experience. This internship will offer you the knowledge and confidence to succeed in the field of Social Work.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Sarah Frazier, LCSW-S
CTVHCS Student Program Coordinator
Austin Outpatient Clinic
7901 Metropolis Drive, 2B-100
Austin, Texas 78744
(o) 512-823-4707
(c) 512-797-8440
(f) 512-823-4152
