Mental Health Intern

WCHC is an integrated patient-centered primary care clinic serving a diverse population with a special emphasis on care for persons who experience barriers to accessing care. Waterfall’s mission is to promote access to quality integrated health services that meet the needs of individuals with barriers to care on the Southern Oregon Coast. 

Under the supervision and mentorship of the Mental Health Program Manager, the Mental Health Student Intern functions as a pre-licensed clinician providing direct patient care and who is committed to upholding the mission of the clinic, offering mental health support for patients as part of their overall care, achieving patient clinical measures, and contributing to the overall wellness of the entire community. 

Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Adhere to WCHC’s mission while performing assigned duties. Demonstrate the core values of Integrity, Respect, Accountability, Compassion, Partnership, and Collaborative Communication.?  
• Abide by professional code of ethics and commit to fostering a strengths framework within the work environment. 
• Provide trauma-informed counseling services within an outpatient mental health setting including evidenced based assessments and interventions under the direction of a licensed clinical supervisor 
• Facilitate individual and/or group counseling, utilizing evidenced based approaches in treatment with a variety of mental health needs. 
• Provide referrals, attend to social determinants of health, coordinate with community partners, and operate within a fully integrated provider care team. 
• Assess patients' behavioral and mental condition based on review of patient information, interviews, observation, tests, and collaboration with other integrated care team members along with outside community partners. 
• Keep accurate and timely records including comprehensive documentation of all patient interactions appropriately in accordance with clinic policies, licensure guidelines, local, state, and federal guidelines. 
• Build positive rapport with a diverse patient population including those with developmental conditions, psychiatric diagnoses, and patients using substances. 
• Demonstrate ability to work independently, while actively engaging in proactive patient panel management and timely patient graduation of services 
• Foster a supportive, trauma-informed, and growth centered approach with patients, staff, and the community. 
• Serve as a patient advocate to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations. 
• Develop and implement treatment plans with measurable objectives and goals based on diagnostic assessment and clinical experience in accordance with DSM-5-TR standards of care. 
• Collaborates with Psychiatric and Primary Care Providers in recognizing, treating, and managing mental health and biopsychosocial issues of patients and acts as a contributing member to the care team. 
• Communicate effectively and professionally with patients including but not limited to phone calls, chart messages, clinical questions, and voicemails. 
• Ability to adapt and respond with communication strategies to stabilize, slow, or reduce the intensity of a potentially high stress situation with appropriate referrals and continuity of care. 
• Maintain an unbiased, safe, and confidential environment for staff and patients while in the clinic including strict adherence to confidentiality as required by Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) standards. 
• Support program goals to reduce cultural and socio-economic barriers between clients and institutions committed to working with marginalized and diverse community populations. 
• Actively engage in ongoing supervision by licensed clinical supervisor and follow requirements set forth by WCHC and educational institution. 
• Perform any other duties needed to help drive our vision, fulfill our mission, and meet our organization’s values.

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.??  
• Reliable attendance and time management strategies.   
• Highly self-motivated and able to function within a team setting.   
• Able to actively listen and think critically. 
• Contribute to the community learning model by participating in clinical observation and feedback. 
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.?  
• Experience with Electronic Health Records. 
• Able to pass a criminal background check. 

Education and/or Experience and Qualifications: 

• Actively completing a degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field within an accredited university within the students designated field of study, including ability to provide appropriate transcripts and appropriate coursework of study according to O.A.R. 309-019-0105.  
• Complete an appropriate and collaborative agreement between academic institution and WCHC for duration of the graduate program, acting as a liaison between academic institution and WCHC. 
• Ability to meet the requirements of a QMHA as outlined by the Mental Health and Addiction Certification Board of Oregon (MHACBO) 
• Mental Health Student Intern candidates will be required to be actively enrolled within their academic institution and in good standing. Upon graduation candidates may be eligible to apply for open positions within the mental health department.  
• Non-violent Crisis Intervention Comprehensive training class completed within 6 months of hire and recertify before the expiration date, provided by employer. 
• Preferred - Experience working in a mental health care setting with socioeconomic needs. 
• Preferred - Bilingual (Spanish) fluency. 
• Preferred - Current First Aid or BLS Certification or completion of training within 6 months of hire, provided by employer. 

Immunizations Required: 

• TB test (upon hire, provided by employer)  

Physical Requirements: 

• Prolonged periods sitting and/or standing at a desk working at a computer. 
• Able to lift up to 15 pounds rarely 
• Able to travel as needed. 
• Exposure to sick individuals within a healthcare setting