Jobs at the Veterans Administration in Social Services (Phoenix, Scottsdale: student loans, job openings)

[Jewels385]

Hello,

Just looking for feedback regarding getting a job at the Veterans Adminstration as a mental health professional. Their website seems very hard to navigate and I'm not finding directly what I'm looking for. I'm on an emailing list that I get job openings daily for the Phoenix area but then I need to pay to get more details.

I am currently working in an outpatient private group practice and its great! I am also certified in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and know there are a growing number of programs for soldiers that are working well, expanding and very helpful! I was hoping to at least get a full time job in an outpatient capacity (steady income and benefits) and then at least on the side build up a private practice doing the equine therapy in the cave creek area.

What is the work atmosphere there? is it considered a good place for therapists to work? any fear of layoffs?

Thanks.

[PhxBarb]

Hi Jewels:
The top guy at the VA was just fired due to deplorable conditions there. They have failed several onsite evals, and I am not sure what the status is now.
Have you tried Magellan? Used to be Value Options. Its the state's mental health organization. Or have you tried AZstatejobs.gov? They usually have some jobs for the VA. Good luck!

[Jewels385]

Thanks for your quick reply.

I have been told that Magellan is the worst to work for.

I will definitely check into Azstatejobs.gov.

I've been looking at Jobing.com and certain social service agency's websites.

Are you in the field too?

[PhxBarb]

Jewels:
I know Magellan is bad, but they do have alot of jobs and alot of places to work. I work for the state in the Early Intervention program and am an MSW. The salaries are way way too low here for anyone in social services. The state has a job freeze on now, but we still are hiring cause they call it "mission critical" for social service jobs. I had experience with the VA in chicago (Hines) where my father died, and also for my internship. Would never consider a job there, ever, but that's just me. You may have had different experiences.

[sablebaby]

I don't know how the VA has been over the past decade, but it sounds like it hasn't gotten any better since I did an clinical rotation there for xray. I wouldn't go back.

Magellen pays pretty well. At least they did when they were VO. I worked there several years ago as a case manager. For the past three years, I've been working for a PHP/IOP agency and it's been working very well.

But, PhxBarb is so right, this is a bad place to work in mental health, especially as a therapist. It's hard to find anything that pays more than $32-35k (I can find one's that are $27k). I can't quit my job as I can't find anything that compares to what I'm making. I'm actually SERIOUSLY considering going back to school and do something else that pays a lot more.

[PhxBarb]

Oh, Sablebaby, what are you considering? Going back to school doesn't sound like fun, after I already got a masters degree. But am sick and tired of being paid peanuts in this state. They need to realize not all of us HAVE to live here and take whatever they dish out. I , for one, am looking at other states and areas to live.

[sablebaby]

PhxBarb, I'm thinking about going back for ultrasound. It was my first major and somehow I got sidetracked. The pay has risen so dramatically that it's hard not to want to do it again. Starting pay is $50k, and goes up to $80k. As soon as the school gets my transcripts I will be officially on the list for the next class starting in Jan! That's how serious I am about doing it.

Yeah, I know, I was done with school after completing one year of my doctorate. No more papers, I said! But, I do like learning and working toward a big goal. I've been missing that lately. I will max out my student loans, but I'm close anyway and can't afford to pay them back on my salary, so I need to do something else.

[Jewels385]

So I will cross off the Va on my list. Thanks for the feedback.

What about the Salt River Indian Reservation? I went to a job fair in May and they had a long list of jobs - almost none of them I'd qualify for!

Their pay and benefits looked terrific, and Scottsdale is not too far. I'm not keen on in-home and so have been trying to find outpatient mental health jobs with good benefits.

The ones that keep popping up are either Banner Behavioral Health Scottsdale hospital outpatient programs and/or Jewish Family and Childrens.

[PhxBarb]

OK I will try this again, IF this computer WILL ALLOW me to post my reply. (I hate Dell).
Jobs at the Indian Res pay very well but are difficult. Its a whole different culture and population that usually doesn't like any interference from outsiders. Also addiction and mental health issues are rampant. If you have experience with this population, then you know what I mean. Jobs are always open there and I suspect there is a big turnover. Did you find the state's website??

[Jewels385]

Yes I did check them out. Nothing yet.

How are you liking working in early childhood?

Any other place you'd prefer to work?