Job Shadow/Externship, Internship, and/or Volunteer Opportunities

Job Shadow Opportunities/Externships

The Agency promotes working in the behavioral health field and encourages community members to job shadow to gauge interest in future careers and aid in succession planning. This policy outlines the requirements and expectations for externships.

Application Requirements

• Externs must be 16 years of age or older.
• Externs must meet with the Recipient Rights Officer or designee for a confidentiality in-service.
• Externs must sign the Agency Confidentiality Statement (Form #0061). Those under 18 require a parent/responsible party co-signature.

Externship Details

• Externships are unpaid, educational on-the-job learning experiences where externs observe and occasionally support staff.
• Externs are not employees and are not covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• Externships are limited to one per rolling calendar year and cannot exceed one week.
• Approval requires consent from the Supervisor, Officer, and HR Manager, along with a meet-and-greet and background screening.
• Hosting externs depends on staffing levels, department demands, and fit.
• Externs may perform small office tasks or help with projects but cannot perform work or access confidential files without a release of information.
• Externs are insured under the Agency’s professional liability policy but may be personally liable for criminal activity, negligence, or unreasonable behavior.
• A written evaluation of the extern’s performance will be completed by their supervisor and placed in their personnel file.

Supervisor Responsibilities

• Ensure training is similar to vocational or academic instruction.
• Ensure externs do not displace regular employees and work under close observation.
• Ensure the Agency derives no significant advantage from extern activities.
• Ensure externs understand they are not entitled to wages or future employment.
• Supervisors must be on-site whenever the extern is present.

Internships

This policy outlines the application process for internships at Sanilac County Community Mental Health Authority for both internal staff and external candidates.

Application Requirements

• Submit a resume, a letter explaining the position type, expectations, start/end dates, and requested hours.
• Provide a copy of liability insurance (usually through the college).
• Provide a statement from the college outlining internship requirements (hours, duties, etc.).
• Internal employees must outline paid time requests, flex schedules, or education leave in their letter.
• All interns must pass a criminal background check, complete an application, and provide a TB test completed within the last year.

Approval Process

• Applications are reviewed by the Human Resources Manager, Program Officer, and Supervisor.
• If approved, the Union Chairperson is notified, and the candidate is informed of their start date.
• If declined, HR sends a notification letter.

Internship Details

• All interns must meet Agency requirements, including background checks and training.
• External interns are unpaid. Internal employees may receive compensation if the college and Agency approve the current position as a placement site.
• Interns perform duties under their site Supervisor’s guidance and may rotate between departments.
• Interns may be credentialed to bill for services under direct supervision but will not replace staff or affect staffing requirements.
• Supervisors may decline internships if workload does not allow effective supervision.
• Master’s level employees may supervise if they meet the school’s licensure requirements.

Access and Training

• Interns receive an Agency email address and may be issued a device/laptop.
• Clinical interns receive OASIS access and training; administrative interns receive access to relevant systems (HRIS, Payroll, etc.).
• Interns present for more than 30 days must complete Relias computer training.

Stipend Opportunity

MDHHS offers a stipend of up to $15,000 for eligible students completing internships. Applications close on August 26, 2024.

• Applicants must be pursuing a degree in behavioral health professions (e.g., Behavior Analyst, Social Worker, Psychologist).
• Internships must be unpaid and located in Michigan at eligible behavioral health settings (e.g., Community Mental Health agencies, Tribal Health Centers).

For more details, visit MDHHS’ Internship Stipend Program.

Volunteers

The Agency encourages the use of volunteers when appropriate. This policy outlines the requirements and onboarding process for volunteers.

Requirements

• A member of the Administrative Committee makes the final determination for volunteer utilization.
• Volunteers must submit an application and consent for a background check to the Human Resources Department.
• Volunteers are assigned a specific Supervisor responsible for their work.
• The Supervisor completes an Orientation Checklist with the volunteer during their first week of service.

Additional Responsibilities

• For volunteer assignments exceeding ten working days in any six-month period, the Supervisor develops a written job description.