MH Student Intern- Unpaid

ESSENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work in a diverse, clinical setting with clients experiencing a variety of hardships.
• Receive and complete required/assigned training as well as a site-specific orientation.
• Develop goals for the internship (Student Scope of Practice and Education Agreement) with the Clinical Supervisor.
• Participate in a variety of shadowing opportunities with the entire outpatient team, including case management, psychiatric management, providing therapy, medication-supported recovery, MOMs program, and substance use/mental health counseling and therapy.
• Practice therapy/case management on their own for a small caseload, under continuing supervision.
• Attend weekly, 1-hour individual supervision sessions to review cases, develop service plans, set treatment goals, and ensure proper documentation.
• Observe and learn about other aspects of the profession, such as burnout and compassion fatigue, self-care, theoretical orientations/interventions, proper documentation in EHR, transference and countertransference, boundaries, legal considerations, and testifying in court.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a Master’s degree program in social work, psychology, counseling, or marriage and family counseling.
• QMHA-I certification required.
• Valid Oregon Driver License or ability to obtain one upon hire and be insurable under the organization’s auto liability coverage policy.
• A signed, collaborative educational agreement between BestCare Treatment Services and the graduate program for the student.
• Minimum commitment for duration of internship as agreed upon in the Collaborative Educational Agreement.
• Minimum number of hours per week as determined by the Collaborative Educational Agreement, with a stable and reliable schedule to be coordinated with the onsite clinical supervisor.
• Demonstrated ability to learn and demonstrate basic competence in conducting mental health assessment, completing treatment plans, facilitating mental health psychotherapy treatment, and developing working alliances with individuals.
• Demonstrated cultural responsiveness, effective communication, and competence in care coordination, inter- and intra-agency collaboration, and the rendering of services and supports within their scope and in accordance with the service plan, including transition planning.
• Demonstrated basic clinical competency in diagnostics, cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, motivational interviewing, trauma informed care, foundational knowledge in substance use disorders, and suicide risk assessment and safety planning.
• Ability to develop strong collaborative relationships with the clinical team, willingness to participate in shadowing opportunities, and ability to work within the scope of practice and competencies identified by the collaborative educational agreement and the policies and procedures for the credentialing of clinical staff.
• Openness in the learning space, with compassionate and respectful communication with receiving and giving feedback in all contexts of the role.
• Adherence to program procedures for client documentation within designated electronic medical record, including completing assessments, treatment plans, and individual therapy notes within 72 hours.
• For individuals in recovery from substance-use disorder, must have maintained continuous recovery for the previous two years at the time of hire.