Position: Mental Health Intern

Department: Outpatient

Classification: Unpaid

Summary/Objective:

Under the supervision of a Mental Health Professional, the Mental Health Intern provides mental health services to identified children and adults in the office, home, or other community setting. Duties include assisting in the establishment of a clinical diagnosis and in the development of a diagnostic assessment report; conducting functional assessments, designed to identify functional limitations of the client, due to mental health problems. This position is also responsible for designing and routinely reviewing treatment plans, as well as implementing interventions, as outlined, in order to ameliorate the mental health condition. Services are designed to meet specific mental health needs of the adult or child, and support the child’s family in assisting the client, as appropriate, and must address the need for crisis services, as appropriate. 

Required Education and Experience:

The Mental Health Intern must be enrolled in a master’s or doctorate program in a behavioral science or related field from an accredited college or university. 

The Mental Health Intern shall receive 36 hours of continuing education every two calendar years. Topics covered in training must be related to serving the needs of children with emotional disturbance and conform to Minnesota Rules 9635.4068.

The Mental Health Intern must pass a criminal background check. S/he must also possess a valid driver’s license and maintain current automobile insurance.

Essential Functions:

Clinical Responsibilities

Conducted under the supervision of the Mental Health Professional, and include:

• Conducting mental health, diagnostic assessment, and functional assessments, with a focus on the needs and functional limitations as rendered by the mental health diagnosis
• Writing assessment reports for the file, as indicated / assigned
• Developing Individual Treatment Plans to address the therapeutic needs of the client
• Providing therapeutic interventions, as outlined in the Individual Treatment Plan, to meet the client / family goals, and assist the client in managing mental health symptoms and learning alternative skills. Examples may include problem solving, decision making, communication, conflict resolution, assertiveness, anger management, role playing, coping skills, emotional modulation, exposure-based interventions, activity scheduling, parent education, limit setting, etc. Services may be provided in the office, home, or other community setting, as indicated. 
• Review the treatment plan with the client / family every 90 days, in keeping with standards
• Assist in managing client risk factors for hospitalization or out of home placement
• Provides crisis assistance services to
  • Address abrupt or substantial changes in the functioning of the child or the child’s family indicated by a sudden change in the behavior with negative consequences for well-being, loss of usual coping mechanisms, or the presentation of danger to self or others;
  • Crisis prevention, identification, and management:
  • Reduce immediate personal distress and to assess factors that precipitated the crisis in order to reduce the chance of future crisis through arrangements for direct intervention, support services to the child and family, and provision for the utilization of more appropriate services.
  • Receives weekly supervision and direction from the designated Mental Health Professional. Seeks supervision when needed at other times, i.e., during crisis situations.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Complete notes for services rendered in keeping with policy
• Maintain chart compliance, per Rule 29 standards
• Attend treatment team meetings as necessary
• Attend case consultation as per standards (4 hours per month for a full time Mental Health Intern)
• Contribute to the development of agency policies and procedures as requested
• Complete billing / productivity management reports weekly
• Complete staff time sheet/expense logs monthly
• Participate in supervision activities as directed
• Participate in training and continuing education as outlined, and in keeping with standards

Professional Expectations

• Dress appropriately for the job
• Work in a positive and cooperative manner with others
• Resolve problems constructively
• Taking initiative, pitching in, and being a team player
• Communicating openly and directly with others
• Flexibility when situations change, and re-prioritizing tasks if needed
• Show a positive attitude with respect to the job and the agency
• Show patience with clients, co-workers, and other team members
• Accept responsibility for your own behavior, decisions, and actions