Model of Field Instruction

Social Work student program at Way Station Inc. offers a wide variety of field placements in community mental health. Way Station provides professional student supervision from highly qualified LCSW-C level social workers. Social work students work with individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. They also have the opportunity to work with professionals from other disciplines such as nursing, psychiatry and Occupational Therapy by participating in multidisciplinary team meetings. Students learn how to enhance the quality of life of individuals with mental illness and help them develop their full potential. Way Station's student program provides challenging, rewarding learning experiences and the development of various skills that will assist students in their professional lives. 

The basic core of social work concepts are addressed in Way Station Inc. field placement:

A. START WHERE THE CLIENT IS: students learn the importance of understanding where the clients are at any particular moment of interaction and also where they are in their lives. They learn to understand the clients' own dreams and goals and to assist the client with what they want to achieve rather then what the student may want them to achieve. 

B. NON-JUDGEMENTAL STANCE: students learn to be aware of their own values, prejudices and biases and to not impose their ideas, values and opinions on their clients.

C. SELF-DETERMINATION: students learn to let their clients do their own decisions making and problem-solving rather than imposing their own advice and decision making on the client.

D. RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING: students learn how to listen, to empathize, to respect human rights and dignity, and to connect and reach out to clients.

E. SOCIAL WORK INTERVENTION: change is gradual and occurs over time. Students will learn to have patience and respect the change process.

F. SELF-AWARENESS: students will become more aware of their feelings, reactions to clients, and be able to examine their responses, interactions interventions.

Students at Way Station have the exceptional opportunity to be exposed to evidence based practices. Way Station focuses on person centered and recovery based programming using motivational interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as evidence based interventions. Way Station is a client-centered, outcome driven organization which focuses on the quality and effectiveness of its services by continuing to research and adopt evidence-based practices. Evidence based practices (EBP) are interventions which have been shown to be effective through research. Way Station has implemented, or is in the process of implementing, all five evidence-based practices endorsed by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This continuously moves Way Station Inc. toward its vision of being an evidence-based practice. During their field placement students will be exposed to these practices and learn the importance of evidence-based approaches in social work practice.   

Supported Employment (SE) - is an approach to assist individuals with disabilities to gain competitive employment in the labor market, working in jobs they prefer with the level of professional help they need. While the national rate of employment among individuals with severe mental illness is 10-15%, the employment rate among individuals served by programs that practice the principles of Supported Employment is 65-70%.

The core principles of Supported Employment are: eligibility is based on consumer choice, consumer preferences are important, supported employment is integrated with treatment, competitive employment is the goal, job search starts soon after the consumer expresses an interest in working, follow-along supports are continuous and personalized benefits planning is provided.

Assertive Community Treatment: The goal of ACT is to help individuals who have not benefited from traditional mental health treatment modalities to stay out of the hospital and to develop skills for living in the community, so that their mental illness is not the driving force in their lives. ACT offers services that are customized to the individual needs of the consumer, delivered by an interdisciplinary team of practitioners and staff.

The program addresses: symptom management, housing, money management, employment, medical care, substance abuse, family life and activities of daily life.

Family Psycho education: Involves a partnership among consumers, families, supporters, and practitioners. Through relationship building, education, collaboration, problem solving, and an atmosphere of hope and cooperation, family psycho education helps consumers and their families and supporters learn about mental illness, master new ways of managing their mental illness, reduce tension and stress within the family, provide social support and encouragement to each other, focus on the future, find ways for families and supporters to help consumers in their recovery.

Illness Management and Recovery: Consists of a series of weekly sessions in which specially trained mental health practitioners help individuals who have experienced psychiatric symptoms develop personal strategies for coping with mental illness and moving forward in their lives. The program is provided in individual or group formats and generally lasts between three and six months.

The following topics are addressed: recovery strategies, practical facts about mental illness, stress-vulnerability model and treatment strategies, building social support, reducing relapses, using medication effectively, coping with stress, coping with problems and symptoms, getting individual needs met in a mental health system.

Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment: Is for individuals who have co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse addiction. When mental health and substance abuse treatments are combined, individuals with dual disorders have better chances of recovery.

Student training methodology

The objective of the practicum field work placement is to prepare students to become competent social workers for entry level professional practice. The field instruction component of training provides each student an opportunity to develop competency by applying knowledge and practice skills through direct service to clients under supervision of an experienced clinician. The curriculum is designed to meet general and specific learning and skills objectives and to expand the student's knowledge base through exposure to agency policies and procedures.

The student develops these skills through participating in the following social work roles and tasks:

Day Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program

Residential Rehabilitation Program which includes specialty houses for persons with co-occurring disorders- Substance Abuse, Transitional Aged Youth, Developmental Disabilities and Aging.  

Supported Housing Program

Child and Adolescent Program

Mobile Crisis

Residential Crisis

ACT Team

Administrative/MACO Placement

New Applicants

Way Station has a limited number of fieldwork placement slots available throughout the year. To help determine whether our site is a good match for you, we require that all students complete the following:

      Application for Field placement to their college

     College refers student to Way Station Inc for fieldwork

      An in-person or phone interview with Way Station fieldwork coordinator.

     Student will be notified of their acceptance after the interview.

Once you have been accepted and reserved your placement at Way Station, the Human Resource Department will send paperwork for you to complete and return before your arrival.  You will need to send the following:

      Your driving record from the department of motor vehicles of the state in which you are licensed.

      Proof of auto insurance showing your name as insured on the policy.

      Results from PPD test within the past year from start date of fieldwork.

      Results from a criminal background check

You will need to send the paper work to:

Way Station Inc
c/o Human Resources
PO Box 3826
Frederick , MD 21705

FAQ

What are the most common diagnoses I can expect to work with during my fieldwork placement?

Most members at Way Station Inc. are diagnosed with a DSM-IV Axis I diagnosis, typically Schizophrenia, Major Depression or Bipolar Disorder. Also members may have Axis II diagnoses such as, developmental disabilities, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, and substance abuse disorders.

What texts do you recommend I read or bring with me in order to prepare for my fieldwork placement?

It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the description of the above diagnoses in the DSM-IV. Other recommended texts are , Surviving Schizophrenia: A Manual for Families, Consumers and Providers by E. Fuller Torrey , and The Bipolar Workbook: Tools for Controlling Your Mood Swings by Monica Ramirez Basco .  Familiarizing yourself with books and articles on Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy will also provide a good foundation for the placement at Way Station.

What hours can I expect to be at my program during my fieldwork placement?

The hours will depend on the program you are assigned to and the program needs. Program hours range from 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM. You will be assigned to a regular 8 hour shift based on the program needs.

What is the supervision style for students at Way Station?

Students are expected to operate with significant independence and flexibility and to take responsibility for their own learning. The field instructor may not be located at the site where you are assigned to work and in that situation, a site supervisor will be designated for you.  You will meet weekly with your social work field instructor who will discuss your experiences and questions that came up during the week, review your process recordings and ensure that you are making the most of your placement experience. You will find that all Way Station staff are welcoming of students and will help provide on-going support and training to students as that is part of our mission. Through this supervision process, you will build your professional skills and confidence.

What is a typical day like at Way Station for a Social Work student?

No two days are alike during your fieldwork placement at Way Station. You are responsible for creating a daily schedule but the key is to be flexible. Each day may be divided up by individual meeting times with clients, spending time with clients in their assigned programs, attending treatment team meetings and onsite staff development trainings, participating in group supervision with other students or individual supervision with supervisor, and working on student assignments. It is important to collaborate with your supervisor when establishing a daily schedule that will work for you and your clients.