Army Question- Credentialing, Etc

[phdmom]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm a PhD who completed an APPIC internship at a VA as their second class of students. Thus, I can't work as a DoD civilian (no APA internship). I'm also ineligible to be an Army reservist, but it appears there is a loophole wherein I can become an active duty Army psychologist.

IF I go that route, does anyone know if I would be credentialed and allowed to work as a DoD civilian despite my non-APA internship following my active duty service?

 

[zenman]

I'm a PhD who completed an APPIC internship at a VA as their second class of students. Thus, I can't work as a DoD civilian (no APA internship). I'm also ineligible to be an Army reservist, but it appears there is a loophole wherein I can become an active duty Army psychologist.

IF I go that route, does anyone know if I would be credentialed and allowed to work as a DoD civilian despite my non-APA internship following my active duty service?

Have you checked with credentialing staff at a military hospital?

 

[SpiceyT]

I'd be interested in hearing what the loophole is, since the military, all branches, has been very clear on the requirement for an APA internship.

 

[cara susanna]

I thought that a VA internship even if not APA-accredited was sufficient to work in a VA?

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I thought that a VA internship even if not APA-accredited was sufficient to work in a VA?

For the VA, yes (assuming the internship is on track to eventually be accredited)...not sure if that also then carries over to the DoD, though.

To the OP, I think your best bet might be contacting an Army recruiter who is familiar/has experience working with active duty psychologists. Is the active duty position a clinical or research one?

 

[student til 30]

.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Have you thought of applying for a second internship with the Army? I don't know that this route even exists as a possibility and it would be a pain to do a second internship (for you and the APPIC applicant pool). However, if it can be done you could potentially get to serve and address the APA internship issue going forward. Also, you would enter as a Captain with Captain's pay regardless of whether you went in for internship or as a licensed psychologist, though other signing incentives would probably differ. It might be worth asking about.

That is not possible for any APPIC site (which includes all APA-acred sites).

 

[student til 30]

.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

It did seem like a long shot...

Here is the "official" word from the APPIC FAQ:

Frequently Asked Questions:
Internship Applicants - Match Eligibility & Participation

4. Is it possible for me to complete two internships? For example, if I accept a non-accredited internship this year, can I apply for a second, accredited internship the following year?

APPIC occasionally receives inquiries from students who did not successfully match to an internship program, asking if it would be acceptable to complete a non-accredited internship with the plan to re-enter the Match in the following year in order to secure an accredited internship at that time. The theory is that the student would gain additional experience during the first internship, with the hope of being more competitive when he/she re-applies for a second internship.

While the APPIC Board understands the thinking behind such a strategy, the Board strongly discourages students from pursuing two internships. Due to the imbalance between applicants and positions, it would simply make things worse for all applicants if students started doing two internships. In this regard, internship Training Directors are very unlikely to consider a student who has already completed (or is in the process of completing) an internship. Thus, a student who accepts an internship with the idea of later seeking a second internship actually has very little chance of succeeding in this goal.

Furthermore, it is very important that applicants NOT view internship as an opportunity to strengthen their experience in hopes of obtaining a "better" internship the following year. Instead, students who wish to gain additional experience in order to be more competitive for an internship should do so by arranging additional practicum experiences through their doctoral programs.

Thus, students should make their internship selection decisions with the understanding that they will complete one, and only one, internship.

http://www.appic.org/Match/FAQs/Applicants/Eligibility-and-Participation#q4

 

[spector0]

For the VA, yes (assuming the internship is on track to eventually be accredited)...not sure if that also then carries over to the DoD, though.

To the OP, I think your best bet might be contacting an Army recruiter who is familiar/has experience working with active duty psychologists. Is the active duty position a clinical or research one?

Specifically, you need to talk to an AMEDD recruiter. Don't just call the local office and assume they know anything about the medical side. It's its own branch, and they have their own recruiters.

That being said, the blow-joe recruiter downtown probably has the contact information for the AMEDD folks. Or you can look it up here:

http://www.goarmy.com/locate-a-recruiter.html

Your area of interest will be medical (AMEDD).