Counseling Intern Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Graduate Clinical Intern – Social Work/Counseling works as part of a dynamic multidisciplinary behavioral health team providing clinical and supportive services according to the Prestige Healthcare Resources, Inc. (PHRI) Clinical Model. The intern is currently enrolled in a graduate-level Social Work, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Counseling, or related behavioral health program and completes assigned clinical activities under the supervision of an appropriately licensed clinical supervisor and within the scope permitted by the intern's academic program, training agreement, and applicable regulations.

Responsibilities may include conducting or assisting with clinical assessments, treatment planning, individual and family sessions, facilitating psychoeducational and therapeutic groups, clinical documentation, case management, care coordination, crisis support, and administrative activities. The internship is designed to provide supervised clinical experience while developing the intern's competencies in assessment, treatment, documentation, ethics, multidisciplinary collaboration, and professional behavioral health practice.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct initial client consultations and assist with gathering relevant clinical, psychosocial, and treatment information under appropriate supervision.
• Conduct or assist with behavioral health assessments and screenings consistent with the intern's demonstrated competency and scope of training.
• Participate in the development, review, and updating of individualized treatment plans.
• Provide supervised individual counseling and therapeutic interventions to assigned consumers.
• Co-facilitate and/or facilitate psychoeducational, therapeutic, and process-oriented groups under clinical supervision.
• Utilize evidence-informed interventions, including CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused approaches, psychoeducation, and other interventions appropriate to the consumer's treatment needs.
• Provide appropriate case management, care coordination, referrals, and linkage to community resources.
• Provide consumer coverage and clinical support as assigned and within the intern's scope of practice.
• Recognize potential crisis situations and immediately consult with the clinical supervisor or designated licensed clinician regarding appropriate intervention.
• Maintain appropriate professional and therapeutic boundaries with consumers and families.
• Complete timely, accurate, and clinically appropriate documentation in the electronic health record (EHR).
• Document clinical encounters, progress notes, treatment plan reviews, assessments, discharge-related activities, case coordination, and other assigned consumer services.
• Maintain confidentiality of consumer information and comply with HIPAA, PHRI policies, and applicable federal and state privacy requirements.
• Maintain an assigned caseload as appropriate to the intern's level of training, academic requirements, and demonstrated clinical competency.

• Participate in routine case consultation and present assigned cases during clinical supervision.
• Attend and actively participate in weekly clinical supervision as required by PHRI and the intern's graduate program.
• Incorporate supervisory feedback into clinical practice and demonstrate progressive development of clinical competencies.
• Immediately communicate significant changes in consumer presentation, safety concerns, suspected abuse or neglect, or other clinical risks to the designated supervisor.
• Demonstrate knowledge of professional ethics, informed consent, mandated reporting, duty to protect/warn when applicable, confidentiality, and appropriate use of clinical documentation.
• Participate in clinical team meetings, interdisciplinary treatment meetings, staff meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.
• Assist with administrative responsibilities, including scheduling, outreach, appointment reminders, chart preparation, filing, data collection, and other program support activities.
• Collaborate professionally with therapists, social workers, counselors, medical providers, nursing staff, case managers, peer specialists, administrative staff, and other members of the treatment team.
• Maintain professional communication and work cooperatively with consumers, families, staff, external providers, and community partners.
• Maintain required internship hours and accurately document clinical and nonclinical hours according to university and PHRI requirements.
• Complete all required orientation, compliance, HIPAA, safety, EHR, and clinical training requirements.
• Demonstrate flexibility in job duties and scheduling to support consumer needs, internship learning objectives, and PHRI operational requirements.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by the clinical supervisor and/or PHRI leadership, provided such responsibilities are consistent with the intern's training level and scope.

SUPERVISION AND CLINICAL OVERSIGHT:

• All clinical services provided by the intern will occur under the direction and supervision of an appropriately credentialed clinical supervisor.
• The intern will participate in regularly scheduled individual and/or group clinical supervision consistent with PHRI and university requirements.
• The intern is expected to seek consultation whenever a clinical situation exceeds their current knowledge, training, competency, or authorized scope.
• Assessments, treatment plans, clinical recommendations, and other documentation requiring licensed review or approval will be reviewed and/or co-signed in accordance with applicable PHRI, payer, regulatory, and academic requirements.
• The intern may not independently represent themselves as a licensed behavioral health professional.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Currently enrolled and in good academic standing in an accredited Master's Degree program in Social Work, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Professional Counseling, Counseling Psychology, or a related behavioral health discipline.
• Approved by the graduate program/university to participate in a practicum or clinical internship placement.
• Completion of foundational graduate coursework necessary to begin supervised clinical practice, as determined by the university and PHRI.
• Previous behavioral health, social services, case management, administrative, or related experience preferred but not required.
• Demonstrated interest in working with individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, and/or co-occurring disorders.
• Ability to accept and appropriately incorporate clinical supervision and constructive feedback.
• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
• CPR/First Aid certification as required by PHRI or the assigned program.
• Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Outlook and other standard software applications, with the ability to learn PHRI's electronic health record system.
• Ability to satisfy applicable background screening, onboarding, health, and training requirements.
• Legally authorized to work in the U.S.A., when applicable to the internship arrangement.

INTERN COMPETENCIES:

1. Clinical Development: Demonstrates progressive competency in assessment, treatment planning, therapeutic interventions, documentation, and case conceptualization.

1. Professional Judgment: Recognizes the limits of current knowledge and training and appropriately seeks supervision before making decisions outside of established competency.

1. Ethical Practice: Demonstrates understanding of confidentiality, informed consent, professional boundaries, mandated reporting, client rights, and applicable ethical standards.

1. Documentation: Produces timely, objective, clinically relevant, and accurate documentation that reflects services provided, consumer response, progress, and ongoing treatment needs.

1. Communication and Collaboration: Communicates professionally and works effectively as part of a multidisciplinary behavioral health team.

1. Organization and Accountability: Effectively manages assigned responsibilities, internship hours, documentation deadlines, scheduling, and academic requirements.

1. Critical Thinking: Demonstrates the ability to identify clinical concerns, evaluate available information, formulate appropriate questions, and utilize supervision to support clinical decision-making.

1. Cultural Responsiveness: Demonstrates cultural humility and an ability to provide person-centered, trauma-informed services that respect individual differences, experiences, and preferences.

1. Growth and Receptiveness to Supervision: Demonstrates openness to feedback, identifies areas for continued development, and applies supervisory recommendations to future clinical practice.