Therapeutic Services Intern

SCOPE OF WORK: 

The Therapeutic Services (TS) Intern will work closely with the TS staff to provide support and a positive experience to clients seeking external mental health services. The intern will facilitate clients to overcome obstacles that prevent them from assessing services, advocating for themselves, and achieving their healing goals. This position will include screening clients for emotional distress, assisting clients in establishing care with other providers, and providing ongoing support to clients to ensure their needs are met. Additionally, the intern will serve as an emergency navigator to assist clients in accessing/obtaining services for basic needs such as food, insurance, clothing, etc.

The client population served through this program includes refugees, asylees, and asylum seekers, who may be survivors of torture, victims of human trafficking, gender-based violence survivors, victims of domestic violence or other crimes, and those experiencing mental and emotional distress. This population representsnumerous nationalities and ethnic backgrounds, many of whom do not speak English.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Screen clients for emotional distress using Refugee Health Screener-15 (RHS15).

• Complete appropriate referrals for various services and provide care follow up and coordination. 

• Assist clients with mental health services navigation and equip them with skills for self-advocacy.

• Teach clients skills (ex: appointment organization, scheduling interpretation, scheduling transportation, etc.) to access services on their own. 

• Serve as an emergency resource navigator to assist clients in obtaining/applying for services for basic needs such as food, insurance, clothing, etc.

• Advocate for quality and culturally appropriate care in a systematic and strategic way.

• Complete administrative tasks (ex: survey, case note, date tracking, etc) in a timely manners.

• Assist the TS program in organizing and recruiting clients for monthly wellness or family strengthening events. 

• Practice sensitivity to cultural and personality differences of clients by respecting their beliefs and values.  

• Collaborate with community agencies to supportclients receiving services.

• Other relevant program support duties, as assigned.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: This internship provides case management, care coordination, and advocacy experience in a community agency setting. Under direction of a supervisor, interns get practice in cross-cultural assessment, outreach, resource provision, documentation, in-service training, and data collection.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to obtain an AZ Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card 

• Must complete a HireRight background check through IRC

• Bachelor’s level focus on public health, counseling, social work, public health or related field is strongly encouraged but is not a limiting factor for candidates.

• Willingness to make initiative to achieve goals.

• Demonstrate cultural humility and an understanding of trauma-informed care.

• Ability to communicate effectively with clinical team, clients, and staff.

• Experience with vulnerable populations preferred, in particular psychological trauma due to war, displacement, violence, and persecution.

• Desire to work with an ethnically diverse international population in innovative ways.

• Ability to work effectively with partners, colleagues, and clients in a cross-cultural, team-based environment.

• Ability to present oneself in an appropriately personable and professional manner to clients and staff.

• Ability to be both consistent and flexible as circumstances warrant.

• Ability to receive and utilize constructive feedback regarding performance, presentation and relationships with others.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong computer skills.

• Proficiency in a second language spoken by the client base strongly preferred but not required.

• A positive attitude and a desire to learn and adapt traditional clinical skills to meet the needs of a diverse client base.

• A vehicle, current driver’s license and valid insurance.

This is an unpaid internship. Interns must commit to at least 10-15 hours a week for 6 months minimum (preferred) with working hours between Monday to Friday 8am-5pm.

This position reports to Mental Health Supervisor and Clinical Manager.

IRC leading the way from harm to home.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.