Social Worker Intern, Behavioral Health, Day Shift

Job Summary

The Social Work Intern – Behavioral Health is a student enrolled in an accredited Bachelor’s or Master’s level social work program who completes a supervised field placement within a behavioral health setting. Under the direct supervision of a licensed social worker, the intern assists with psychosocial assessments, care coordination, patient and family support, and documentation while gaining hands-on experience in clinical social work practice. This role is educational in nature and does not involve independent clinical decision-making or unsupervised practice.

About the Role

This role is educational in nature and does not involve independent clinical decision-making or unsupervised practice. The intern will participate in supervised psychosocial assessments, assist with discharge planning, care coordination, and referral to internal and community resources, provide patient and family support, education, and advocacy, observe and participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, case conferences, and treatment planning discussions, document assigned activities accurately and timely in the electronic medical record, maintain patient confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and all applicable regulatory standards, engage in regular supervision meetings, learning activities, and evaluations as required by the academic program and the organization, demonstrate professional behavior, ethical practice, and cultural sensitivity in all interactions, and perform other duties as assigned that support learning objectives and departmental operations.

Essential Functions

• Participates in supervised psychosocial assessments of patients receiving behavioral health services.
• Assists with discharge planning, care coordination, and referral to internal and community resources under supervision.
• Provides patient and family support, education, and advocacy consistent with the treatment plan and scope of training.
• Observes and, when appropriate, participates in interdisciplinary team meetings, case conferences, and treatment planning discussions.
• Documents assigned activities accurately and timely in the electronic medical record, in accordance with organizational policies and supervision requirements.
• Maintains patient confidentiality and complies with HIPAA and all applicable regulatory standards.
• Engages in regular supervision meetings, learning activities, and evaluations as required by the academic program and the organization.
• Demonstrates professional behavior, ethical practice, and cultural sensitivity in all interactions.
• Performs other duties as assigned that support learning objectives and departmental operations.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• Basic knowledge of social work principles, ethics, and behavioral health concepts appropriate to level of education.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and active listening skills.
• Ability to learn and apply policies, procedures, and clinical documentation standards.
• Demonstrated professionalism, reliability, and willingness to accept feedback.
• Ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary healthcare team.
• Basic computer skills and ability to learn electronic medical record systems.

Qualifications

• Education: Current enrollment in an accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Master of Social Work (MSW) program required. Must meet field placement or practicum requirements of the academic institution.
• Licenses/Certifications: None required. This position does not require social work licensure and does not permit independent practice.
• Experience: No prior professional social work experience required. Previous coursework or exposure to behavioral health, healthcare, or human services preferred.