INTERNSHIP

Stipend: Interns receive a competitive stipend paid in 26 biweekly installments.  VA internship stipends are locality adjusted to reflect different relative costs in different geographical areas.  Currently, stipends range from $23,974 to $28,382 annually.

Benefits: Internship appointments are for 2080 hours, which is full time for a one year period. Start dates for the internships range from June 17 to September 1, with the specific start date decided by the training director at the site. VA interns are eligible for health insurance (for self, opposite sex spouse, and legal dependents) and for life insurance, just as are regular employees. (Citing Public Law 104-199, the Defense of Marriage Act passed in 1996, the Office of Personnel Management has instructed insurers that health benefits are not to be provided to same sex spouses of federal employees).

Holidays and Leave: Interns receive the 10 annual federal holidays.  In addition, interns accrue 4 hours of sick leave and 4 hours of annual leave for each full two week pay period as an intern, for a total of between 96 and 104 hours of each during the year.

Authorized Absence: According to VA Handbook 5011, Part III, Chapter 2, Section 12, employees, including trainees, may be given authorized absence without charge to leave when the activity is considered to be of substantial benefit to VA in accomplishing its general mission or one of its specific functions, such as education and training.  Application of this policy varies from site to site, so questions for a specific program must be directed to the Training Director.

Liability Protection for Trainees: When providing professional services at a VA healthcare facility, VA sponsored trainees acting within the scope of their educational programs are protected from personal liability under the Federal Employees Liability Reform and Tort Compensation Act 28, U.S.C.2679 (b)-(d).

POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP

Stipend: Postdoctoral fellows receive a competitive stipend paid in 26 biweekly installments.  VA fellowship stipends are locality adjusted to reflect different relative costs in different geographical areas.  Currently, stipends range from $42,239 to $52,709 annually.

Benefits: The fellowship appointments are for 2080 hours, which is full time for a one year period. Start dates for the fellowships range from July 1 to September 1, with the specific start date decided by the training director at the site. VA fellows are eligible for health insurance (for self, opposite sex spouse, and legal dependents) and for life insurance, just as are regular employees. As temporary employees, fellows may not participate in VA retirement programs. (Citing Public Law 104-199, the Defense of Marriage Act passed in 1996, the Office of Personnel Management has instructed insurers that health benefits are not to be provided to same sex spouses of federal employees).

Holidays and Leave: Fellows receive the 10 annual federal holidays.  In addition, fellows accrue 4 hours of sick leave and 4 hours of annual leave for each full two week pay period, for a total of between 96 and 104 hours of each during the year.

Authorized Absence: According to VA Handbook 5011, Part III, Chapter 2, Section 12, employees, including trainees, may be given authorized absence without charge to leave when the activity is considered to be of substantial benefit to VA in accomplishing its general mission or one of its specific functions, such as education and training.  Application of this policy varies from site to site, so questions for a specific program must be directed to the Training Director.

Liability Protection for Trainees: When providing professional services at a VA healthcare facility, VA sponsored trainees acting within the scope of their educational programs are protected from personal liability under the Federal Employees Liability Reform and Tort Compensation Act 28, U.S.C.2679 (b)-(d).

PRACTICUM TRAINING

Practicum experiences are without compensation.

Liability Protection for Trainees: When providing professional services at a VA healthcare facility, VA sponsored trainees acting within the scope of their educational programs are protected from personal liability under the Federal Employees Liability Reform and Tort Compensation Act 28, U.S.C.2679 (b)-(d).