AOD Intern

Status: Unpaid Internship / Educational Practicum

Location: Residential Teaching Facility (Napa for Fairfield)

Schedule: Based on academic practicum requirements and site availability

Reports to: Designated Practicum Supervisor

Internship Summary

The AOD Counselor Practicum Intern participates in a supervised, field-based educational experience within an Archway Recovery Services residential substance use disorder treatment program. The internship is designed for students completing the practicum experience required as part of an approved Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) or Addiction Studies academic program.

Under appropriate supervision, the intern gains exposure to the functions of a substance use disorder treatment program, including patient engagement, screening and intake processes, treatment planning, counseling services, case coordination, documentation, recovery support, professional ethics, and interdisciplinary teamwork.

This is an unpaid educational practicum placement and is not employment with Archway Recovery Services. The placement is intended to satisfy applicable academic practicum requirements and is separate from the 3,000 hours of supervised work experience associated with progression from RADT registration toward AOD/SUD counselor certification.

Essential Functions

• Participate in orientation to the residential treatment environment, applicable policies, confidentiality requirements, professional boundaries, safety practices, and the intern's defined scope.
• Observe and, when appropriate to the student's educational level and under required supervision, participate in substance use disorder screening, intake, assessment, treatment, and discharge processes.
• Observe individual and group counseling services and participate in approved activities consistent with the student's educational objectives and level of training.
• Develop familiarity with treatment planning, progress documentation, case coordination, referrals, and continuity-of-care practices.
• Gain practical experience engaging with individuals receiving substance use disorder treatment while maintaining appropriate professional and ethical boundaries.
• Observe and assist with recovery-oriented activities and patient support services as authorized by the designated supervisor.
• Learn how clinical, counseling, residential, and support staff collaborate in the delivery of substance use disorder treatment services.
• Participate in approved case discussions, staff meetings, trainings, and other educational activities relevant to the practicum experience.
• Complete educational assignments, practicum logs, evaluations, and other documentation required by the student's academic program and ARS.
• Maintain accurate records of practicum hours and obtain required supervisory review and signatures.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and comply with applicable privacy requirements, ARS policies, and professional and ethical standards.
• Immediately seek supervisory guidance when presented with a situation outside the intern's training, competency, authorization, or assigned scope.
• Perform other educationally related practicum activities approved by the designated supervisor and consistent with the student's academic objectives.

Job Requirements

• Must be currently enrolled in an approved Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) / Addiction Studies academic program requiring field-based practicum experience.
• ARS must have an approved Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Educational Affiliation Agreement, or other approved educational agreement with the student's school before placement begins.
• Must remain in good standing with the applicable academic program throughout the practicum.
• Must complete all ARS internship onboarding and screening requirements before beginning on-site activities.
• Must complete all required orientation, confidentiality, safety, and regulatory training applicable to the placement.
• Must comply with the student's educational agreement, defined learning objectives, supervision requirements, and authorized scope of activities.
• Must complete required practicum logs and obtain appropriate supervisory verification of completed hours and educational objectives.
• Must immediately report concerns involving patient safety, professional boundaries, confidentiality, or activities outside the intern's authorized scope to the designated supervisor.
• Interns may not independently perform duties requiring a professional license, certification, registration, or competency that the intern does not possess.
• Internship placement and continuation are subject to academic eligibility, satisfactory participation, site capacity, supervision availability, and compliance with ARS requirements.
• This practicum does not constitute employment with ARS and is not intended as a placement for accruing the separate 3,000 hours of supervised work experience toward AOD/SUD counselor certification.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to remain seated or standing for periods of time while observing or participating in treatment and program activities.
• Ability to move throughout a residential treatment facility and access assigned program areas.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and use a computer for educational and documentation activities.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic systems.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the practicum placement with or without reasonable accommodation.