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Practicum Trainee Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Practicum Trainee information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$26.3K

$44.8K

$65.4K

How much do practicum trainee jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for practicum trainee in Chicago, IL is $44,843.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34,000.00 and $52,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What's a practicum vs. internship?

A practicum is a supervised, hands-on training experience often required for academic programs, focusing on applying theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. An internship is a work placement that provides practical experience, typically for skill development and career exploration, and can be paid or unpaid. Both offer valuable industry exposure but differ in structure and purpose within a training program.

What do practicum students do?

Practicum students assist with real-world tasks related to their field of study, gaining hands-on experience under supervision. They may observe, support, and perform specific duties to develop skills, often working in environments like clinics, offices, or labs while adhering to safety and confidentiality standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Practicum Trainee, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Practicum Trainee, you typically need foundational knowledge in your specific field of study and active enrollment in a relevant academic program. Familiarity with standard office software, data entry tools, or specialized systems relevant to the industry may be required. Strong communication, adaptability, and eagerness to learn are crucial soft skills that help trainees make the most of experiential learning opportunities. These skills and qualifications are important because they enable trainees to effectively contribute, learn quickly, and transition smoothly into professional roles.

Is 22 too old for an internship?

Practicum trainees and interns can be of any age, including 22, as internships are often designed for students or early-career individuals. Age is generally not a barrier; employers focus on skills, motivation, and relevant experience. Many organizations value diverse backgrounds and age groups in their internship programs.

What is the difference between Practicum Trainee vs Intern?

AspectPracticum TraineeIntern
Required CredentialsOften students or recent graduates, sometimes requiring specific courseworkTypically students or early career individuals, sometimes with minimal prerequisites
Work EnvironmentSupervised, educational setting within a company or organizationVaries from educational to professional settings, often part-time or temporary
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in healthcare, education, social services, and corporate trainingWidely used across industries including business, tech, healthcare, and non-profits

Both Practicum Trainee and Intern roles provide hands-on experience for students or early professionals. Practicum Trainees often focus on educational requirements and structured learning, while Interns may have more varied responsibilities. Understanding these differences helps candidates choose the right opportunity for their career development.

What are practicum trainees?

Practicum trainees are students or early-career professionals who participate in supervised, hands-on work experiences as part of their academic or professional training. These positions allow individuals to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, often within fields such as education, healthcare, psychology, or social work. Practicum trainees work under the guidance of experienced professionals, gain practical skills, and receive feedback to support their growth and future career success.

What kinds of support and mentorship can Practicum Trainees expect during their placement?

Practicum Trainees are typically paired with experienced supervisors or mentors who provide ongoing guidance, feedback, and support throughout the placement. Regular check-ins, observation opportunities, and structured evaluations help ensure that trainees are developing the necessary skills and competencies in a real-world setting. Additionally, trainees often participate in team meetings and collaborative projects, allowing them to learn from colleagues and build valuable professional relationships. This supportive environment is designed to help trainees gain confidence and transition smoothly into their chosen field.

Can I get paid for my practicum?

Practicum trainees are often unpaid, especially in educational or volunteer settings, but some programs offer stipends or hourly wages depending on the organization and location. Paid practicum opportunities are more common in certain industries or with specific funding, and they may require specific skills or certifications. It is important to check the specific practicum program's policies regarding compensation.
What are the most commonly searched types of Practicum jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Practicum jobs in Chicago, IL are:
Infographic showing various Practicum Trainee job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,843 per year, or $21.6 per hour.
Director of Behavioral Health Services and Training - IllinoisCOM

Director of Behavioral Health Services and Training - IllinoisCOM

TCS Education System

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

Job Description:
ABOUT THE POSITION
The Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine at The Chicago School is seeking a licensed clinical psychologist to serve as Director of Behavioral Health Services and Training. This role will serve as the primary provider of behavioral health services for IllinoisCOM students while building the foundation for a future behavioral health training program.
The position will initially focus on direct clinical care, including individual assessment, counseling, group support, wellness programming, crisis intervention, and coordination of care and referrals as needed. The Director will play a central role in supporting students as they navigate the academic, emotional, and personal demands of medical education, ensuring alignment with COCA requirements and expectations.
Once care aligned with COCA requirements and expectations is established, the Director will then work to develop the systems, processes, and standards needed to support a sustainable behavioral health function, including documentation practices, assessment processes, and service delivery models. Over time, the role will help develop a formal behavioral health training program that supports practicum and internship opportunities and expands services across the Chicago campus as capacity grows.
This role is being created from the ground up and is fully in-person at The Chicago School's Chicago campus. The position reports to the Associate Dean of Student Affairs for IllinoisCOM.
ABOUT US
The Chicago School educates the next generation of change-makers in innovative theory and culturally competent practice to strengthen the integrated health of individuals, organizations, and communities. We enroll over 6,000 students across 40+ academic programs and have served as a leading nonprofit university for over 40 years.
The University is building the Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine (IllinoisCOM), enrolling its first class of students in July 2026. The College's mission is to train exceptional physicians who understand the interconnection of physical and mental health and deliver compassionate, patient-centered care.
PRINCIPAL DUTIES
Behavioral Health Services and Student Care
  • Provide individual behavioral health services to medical students as the primary behavioral health resource for IllinoisCOM students, including assessment, short-term counseling, and care coordination
  • Provide group counseling and workshops that address student well-being and common areas of need
  • Monitor student progress and continuity of care, including follow-up as appropriate and coordination with external providers when needed
  • Establish and maintain regular availability for student appointments and consultations, including walk-in access as appropriate
  • Develop and deliver programming that supports student well-being, including stress management, test anxiety, coping tools, academic stress, and the transition into a rigorous medical education environment
  • Identify students in need of additional support and coordinate referrals to external providers as appropriate
  • Provide crisis intervention during business hours as needed and ensure students are connected to 24/7 crisis support through the University's Student Solutions resource, with appropriate follow-up
  • Serve as a resource to college and university leadership on student wellness and behavioral health concerns

Operations, Systems, and Compliance
  • Establish behavioral health services, initially for the IllinoisCOM, expanding to the full campus student body over time, in alignment with accreditation requirements and institutional priorities
  • Develop policies, procedures, and service models to support consistent, high-quality care
  • Design, implement, and manage documentation standards, record-keeping systems, and scheduling processes in compliance with applicable privacy and regulatory requirements, including FERPA and HIPAA
  • Implement assessment processes to evaluate service utilization, effectiveness, and student outcomes, including tracking strengths, gaps, and areas for improvement, and maintaining records to support internal review and external audit requirements
  • Prepare reports and recommendations to inform service improvement and resource planning

Future Training Program Development
  • Work with academic programs across the campus to plan for a formal behavioral health training program that will support practicum and internship placements over time
  • Help define the structure, policies, and supervision approach needed to support trainees
  • Coordinate with academic programs to align training opportunities with program requirements and standards
  • Supervise trainees as the program is established and grows
  • Ensure training activities meet applicable professional, ethical, and regulatory standards

Collaboration and Integration
  • Partner with relevant college and university departments to support student care, well-being, and success
  • Develop external partnerships with community providers as needed to support referrals and service continuity
  • Contribute to committees or working groups related to student care and wellness as appropriate

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
  • Licensed clinical psychologist, with eligibility to practice in Illinois at time of hire
  • Demonstrated experience providing direct clinical services

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience in a medical school or graduate/professional student environment
  • Experience developing or expanding behavioral health services or programs
  • Experience supervising graduate-level trainees in behavioral health settings
  • Familiarity with accreditation expectations related to student support services in medical education
  • Experience establishing clinical documentation systems and operational workflows
  • Ability to work across disciplines and partner effectively with academic and administrative units
  • Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a developing environment

COMPENSATION
  • The position is budgeted at $80,000 to $110,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

The Chicago School offers a generous compensation and benefits package, as well as the opportunity to work for a leader in the field of education. Some of our key benefits include: generous paid time-off, medical and dental coverage, company-paid life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts (FSA), tuition reimbursement, professional development, and regular employee appreciation events.
The Chicago School is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Apply Link:
Company:
The Chicago School