MENTAL HEALTH INTERN

Axis Community Health, a nonprofit established in 1972, provides comprehensive healthcare services to over 15,000 individuals across all age groups in the Tri-Valley area. Our mission is to provide quality, affordable, accessible, and compassionate healthcare that promotes the well-being of all community members, encompassing primary healthcare, mental health support, and dental services. We are committed to ensuring access to essential healthcare services for every member of our community, irrespective of financial status, living situation, or insurance coverage.

About the Role

The Mental Health Intern in an Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) setting supports the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based mental health counseling to the patient population. This role involves intake assessments, individual therapy sessions, couple or family sessions, and group therapy. IBH interns work under the supervision of licensed mental health providers while obtaining hours towards licensure. This position is ideal for those seeking post-graduate licensing hours in psychology, marriage and family therapy (MFT), social work (ASW), or counseling (APCC).

Responsibilities

• Provide mental health counseling in a school setting and/or in the Axis Mental Health Counseling Clinic, including individual, group, family, and couples therapy.
• Counsel individuals from diverse cultural, ethnic, and financial backgrounds, working with children, teens, adults, and older adults.
• Collaborate and consult with Axis licensed clinicians, medical doctors, case managers, and other staff as necessary.
• Coordinate care with school contacts and parents as needed.
• Comply with Axis Intern Agreement and all related policies.
• Complete necessary documentation using an electronic health records system, ensuring compliance with laws, regulations, and Axis standards, including Medi-Cal billing.
• Participate in peer review of clients' charts as directed.
• Maintain availability for warm handoffs as needed.
• Attend mandatory weekly supervision: one hour of individual supervision, two hours of group supervision, one hour of intern training seminar, and one-hour team meeting with IBH staff.
• Monitor client progress and document case notes accurately.
• Provide crisis intervention support when needed.
• Research and recommend community resources or support programs for clients.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to ethical standards in mental health practice.
• Travel to other sites and locations as needed to perform job duties or support organizational operations.
• Participate in staff meetings and attend other meetings and training events as assigned.
• Perform other related duties, responsibilities, and special projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related field.
• Registered intern with the California Board of Behavioral Sciences in good standing; must notify supervisor of any disciplinary actions, including suspension or probation.
• Some experience working in a clinical setting with core skills such as assessment, diagnosing, and implementation of evidence-based practices.
• Valid and current driver’s license with reliable transportation, clean driving record, and automobile insurance; ability to travel between sites as needed.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative treatment team.
• Experience working in a school or clinic setting is a plus.
• Empathy, professionalism, and a passion for mental health care.
• Familiarity with mental health concepts, interventions, and ethical guidelines.
• Experience or training in cultural sensitivity and working with clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, and employee relations skills.
• Excellent writing, business communication, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Ability to interact effectively and supportively with persons of all backgrounds.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and able to work independently as well as on a team with sound judgment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and a professional demeanor while representing the organization.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive professional working relationships.
• Ability to adjust priorities quickly as circumstances dictate.
• Regular and punctual attendance.
• Dynamic self-starter with the ability to work independently or in a group setting.
• Can-do attitude, attention to detail, and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to type a minimum of 35 WPM with minimal errors.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ability to use Axis departmental systems and office equipment (e.g., copier, fax).

Benefits

• Employer-paid health, dental, and vision benefits for the employee.
• Option to participate in a 403(B) retirement plan with employer matching contribution.
• Partial educational reimbursement.
• 12 paid holidays.
• Accrued paid time off with each pay period.
• Employee discount programs.
• Colleague Referral Bonus Program.

Schedule

This is a hybrid position.

Working Conditions

Work is normally performed in a typical clinic office environment (and, in some cases, telecommuting sites).

• Physical: Occasionally required to carry/lift/push/pull/move up to 20 lbs. Frequently required to perform moderately difficult manipulative tasks such as typing, writing, reaching over the shoulder, reaching over the head, reaching outward, sitting, walking on various surfaces, standing, and bending. Occasional travel to other Axis health centers and other sites is required.
• Equipment: Frequently required to use repetitive motion of hands and feet to operate a computer keyboard, telephone, copier, and other office equipment for extended periods.
• Sensory: Frequently required to read documents, written reports, and signage. Must be able to distinguish normal sounds with some background noise, as in answering the phone or interacting with staff. Must be able to speak clearly, understand normal communication, and be understood. Must be able to see clearly and judge distances and spatial relationships.
• Cognitive: Must be able to analyze information, count accurately, concentrate and focus on tasks, summarize information, interpret written data, synthesize information from multiple sources, write summaries, interpret instructions, and recognize social or professional behavioral cues.
• Environmental: Frequent exposure to varied office (medical clinic/office) environments. Rare exposure to dust and loud noises.