I've found most VAs have some flexibility like the above, which is a major draw for me. I'm slightly concerned with the strong talk therapy push at most though, as I enjoy neuro and consultation, with little interest in therapy.
Dr. Gero, have you heard anything about the new behavioral health positions that were granted at each VA? From what i've seen the position looks slightly different at each VA, though the strong consultation and psycho-ed component intrigues me.
If you're actually talking about the "behavioral health coordinator" positions I mostly heard about them from you, to be honest. Coincidentally enough, I applied for one in the last few weeks, as my wife and I are strongly considering moving out of California, for a number of reasons.
What do people charge for side assessment work? I'm thinking about supplementing my income w. Neuro and capacity assessments. I'm trying to weigh the pros/cons for doing it on my own instead of through an agency/company.
To be honest, I was doing my assessments through agencies. I actually took a few half-hearted steps towards setting up a home-based private practice (not that I'd ever see anyone in my home - I'm all about home visits, as my clients are typically older adults or medical patients), but I never got around to going the whole way. It *is* something I look forward to doing in the future, though - I think with the experience I've amassed thus far I could probably make a reasonable go of an assessment-based private practice (e.g., focusing on capacity assessments and ideally eschewing Medicare).
When I was working as a Neuropsychologist for the rehab. company, I ended up with 80 bucks an hour and paid travel time (plus mileage). Given that, you could imagine what they were actually billing for my services.
For the capacity assessment stuff that I was doing with a different agency, they kick down 350 bucks per report on a flat-fee basis (again, so you can imagine what they probably ended up billing for my services).
The outside supervision work I was doing pro bono, along with doing occasional talks to family groups for a local nonprofit I've worked with over thee years.
Again, sadly, all of this side work has pretty much stopped right now, as my wife and I ended up deciding to 'be fruitful and multiply.' I'd love to actually hear more about the "light at the end of the tunnel," actually, although in the context I'm referring to I probably need to consult a different kind of discussion board.