In Tampa Florida mentally ill military veterans at the nation's busiest VA hospital are being treated by inexperienced and unlicensed psychologists, according to complaint filed by a staff member. The staff member said that she believed the patients well-being was being jeopardy.
The most troubled and vulnerable veterans at Tampa's James A. Haley VA Medical Center are often treated by the least-experienced professionals. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs officials denied that patient care is impacted and said the nine unlicensed psychologists on the hospital's staff of 34 get ample supervision and are on track to receive their licenses in the future. Florida and federal law allows unlicensed psychologists to work as long as they receive constant supervision, the VA and the state said."The majority of mental health services provided to our newest generation of veterans is being provided by our least-experienced staff." Some veteran advocates questioned the practice of relying heavily on unlicensed psychologists at a time when the numbers of veterans requiring mental health treatment is increasing due to the war in Iraq.
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