Most frequent diagnoses seen in the adult rotation include major depression, anxiety, bipolar, personality disorders, trauma, schizophrenia, and PTSD. The most frequent diagnoses in the pediatric rotation include ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, adjustment disorder, trauma, and behavioral concerns.

Example supervised experiences (as listed by APPIC):

Broadlawns is the safety net hospital of Polk County. In Outpatient Behavioral Health, 70% of clients served have either Medicaid or Medicare. Many of our clients face multiple barriers to service including transportation, being houseless or having housing insecurity, food insecurity, financially disadvantaged, English not being the primary language, inconsistent employment or being disabled, and/or a member of a marginalized community. We serve clients of all ages and from all backgrounds.   

• Required vaccinations include MMR and flu
• Drug testing requirements: pre-employment drug testing required. Must present medical marijuana card to staff administering the urine drug screen. Also must disclose medications. All positives will go to MRO and determine if meets exemption status.
• TB test
• Pre-employment physical
• Background checks: All candidates’ names will be compared to the Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) List of Excluded Individuals/Entities, which determines exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal healthcare programs. Healthcare providers, including allied health professionals, will be checked by the Medical Staff Services department. Any applicant on the excluded list will not be eligible for employment based on the exclusion. A criminal/abuse record check will be conducted on final candidates. If there is a criminal or abuse record confirmed, the applicant will be asked to complete additional documentation, and the decision to consider hiring an applicant with a confirmed criminal and/or abuse background will be based on the applicant being approved as outlined in the Iowa Code Section 135B.33. If the applicant is considered prohibited from employment by the external review agencies, then the applicant will be informed and may be directed to the external review agency.
• Applicants must submit additional paperwork to the Department of Health and Human Services in order to be approved to work within a healthcare facility.

At Broadlawns Medical Center, the Training Director and site supervisors participate in the interview process. They look for interns that have a good fit to their program, a desire to work with the underserved population, and who are genuine and personable. A good fit for Broadlawns would include applicants who have a strong desire to learn, have professional curiosity, are able to accept feedback, perform ethically, are flexible and adaptable, willing to see a wide range of acuity, and who are able to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team. Candidates who are closed to feedback, rigid in their thought process, have little desire to learn, or who are unethical or do just the bare minimum would not be a good fit for the program. Ideally, applicants would be eligible for provisional licensure in Iowa prior to the start of internship, however this does not require the applicant to have received a master’s degree in order to qualify.