Veterans Affairs Compensation Reflection Paper

The Veterans Affairs Compensation and Pension (C&P) clinic in Shreveport, Louisiana gave me an opportunity to witness the many facets of Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychology in action. After a year of studying theories and practices in textbooks, I observed organizational processes through a different lens due to my instruction in this program. I have gained a better understanding of performance review, interagency reliance, communication, self-assessment, selection, training and development, and task analysis. My main focus dealt with understanding publications called Standard Operating Procedures (SOP); by request of my on-site supervisor, I was able to generate additional SOP’s based on an acceptable federal format. Before I discuss this project, I will expand on some other I/O-related functions in which I had the opportunity to participate. The C&P clinic conducts disability examinations for Veterans who wish to claim injury, sickness, or impairment connected to their time in service. In order for Shreveport’s C&P clinic to cut costs associated with employee insurance, retirements, and other benefits, this firm …show more content…
Certain individuals needed time to become familiar with me before fully divulging task information. During interviews with the staff when it was determined that certain tasks were performed by multiple employees, although the process could be completed by one employee (which would improve efficiency), it was a fulfilling feeling for me. Certain employees showed concern: I had to inform one employee that I was an intern, I was not performing an official organizational analysis to determine what positions within the agency were excessive, and that none of the task information he disclosed would affect his job security. Most of the staff knew that this project (procedural reference guide) would be beneficial for me and for the agency as well in the case of employee absence or