Behavioral Health Internship

Work Schedule:

Must be able to complete internship between the hours of 8:00am-5:00pm Monday-Friday

Who We Are

Unity Care NW is a private non-profit federally qualified health center (FQHC) that has been proudly and successfully serving the greater Whatcom County area since 1982. With clinics located in Bellingham & Ferndale we offer comprehensive primary medical behavioral health and dental care as well as pharmacy services to a diverse and often underserved patient population of all ages. Employing almost 300 caring and compassionate employees our mission is to increase the years of healthy life in the people & communities we serve.

What We Value

• Respect
• Integrity
• Accountability
• Collaboration
• Innovation

We strive to demonstrate our Values in Action in all that we do. We value each individual on our team and aim to onboard a workforce of the very best talent whose ambitions and values align with ours.

Job Summary

The Specialty Behavioral Health (SBH) Intern provides ongoing/episodic mental health treatment for a caseload of patients engaged in primary care at Unity Care NW under the supervision of a licensed clinical supervisor.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties include:

1. Maintains and treats a caseload of patients:

a. Completes appropriate scheduling with regards to session length and session frequency for a caseload of 8-15 patients based on clinical assessment and need.

b. Creates and utilizes treatment plans to guide treatment for patients including discharging when appropriate to support the flow of new referrals.

c. Maintains and tracks patient engagement providing appropriate outreach and encouraging full participation in clinical treatment.

2. Provides Specialty Behavioral Health Counseling:

a. Evaluates assesses and diagnoses patients with qualifying mental health diagnoses following current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria Department of Health Washington Administrative Codes (WACs) and existing UCNW template structure with the support of designated clinical supervisor as needed.

b. Provides risk assessments safety/crisis planning and coordination of care for patients when clinically indicated involving clinical supervisor for support as needed in managing risks and crisis interventions.

c. Utilizes evidence-based practices and provides therapeutic interventions in an outpatient treatment setting.

3. Documents all patient contact and coordination of care:

a. Completes documentation adhering to UNCWs Outpatient Mental Health Services Individual Treatment Services Standard 60.18b.

4. Collaborates and communicates effectively with all UCNW treatment teams and community resources/agencies as appropriate in treatment:

a. Refers patients to appropriate resources as clinically indicated.

b. Uses established communication methods to coordinate care with full health team at UCNW (e.g. Primary Care Population Health Psychiatry Substance use).

5. Follows all internship contact requirements per students college/university learning contract with UCNW:

a. Meets for one-on-one supervision with identified clinical supervisor at UNCW typically the Specialty Behavioral Health Counselor Lead weekly for one hour and additionally as needed.

b. Meets with college/university clinical supervisor/advisor as needed/required.

• Must be enrolled in an accredited Mental Health Counselor Marriage & Family Therapist or Social Work masters program at the intern stage of their degree.
• Must have completed coursework in diagnostics and beginning counseling techniques acquired through practice or exposure to various conditions beyond the formal knowledge (or on the job training) allowing intern to perform more advanced techniques.
• Possesses a growing level of BH clinical skills in the following areas: mental health assessments; direct individual therapy; organization and facilitation of psycho-educational and support groups; case management; and documentation of assessments and progress notes.
• Knowledge of the DSM-5 and how to use it in the assessment process.

Preferred Qualifications

• Possesses a growing level of the local community and private mental health and human services resources.
• Can provide empathetic and compassionate services to underserved people in Whatcom County.
• Brings a solution-based attitude.
• An ability to work well with others and contribute as a team member during emergent situations.
• Utilizes supervision well and is open to feedback.
• Must be able to follow all UCNW protocols including those related to clinic administration patient care and completion of timely chart notes.
• Skilled in support group organization and facilitation as well as teaching/facilitating psycho-educational groups.
• Prepares basic correspondence and simple reports in Microsoft Word.
• Keyboarding speed of 30 wpm and data entry skills; accuracy is essential.
• Uses Microsoft Excel to create tables and simple displays of information.
• Creates basic presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Demonstrates necessary proficiency with all electronic clinical systems including Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and scheduling systems in use at the health center.
• Uses Microsoft Outlook for basic email correspondence and calendar.
• Uses learning management systems to participate in company training as assigned.
• Uses software for Telehealth sessions as required.
• Uses Zoom video conference software to participate in meetings.
• Uses Spark instant messaging as an individual and in group chats.
• Possesses advanced general skills including written and verbal communications skills computational and computer skills and mathematical knowledge at a level typically acquired through completion of a general bachelors degree program.
• Ability to communicate bilingually in Spanish or Russian a plus.

To Apply

Visit our Careers Page at . For news on our organization & future job postings please follow us on LinkedIn at Care NW has an Employee Health Program for the safety of our patients and staff. The program requires all new employees and associates including interns to have up to date vaccines for influenza and strongly encourages up to date vaccines for COVID-19. More information about this program is provided throughout the recruitment process.