Social Work or Professional Counselor Intern
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Job Description
About Company
The Loudoun County Government is the employer, with the specific department offering the internship being the Department of Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Developmental Services (MHSADS). This department’s Forensic & Psychological Services team is the specific unit within which the intern will work. The organization is described as a trusted and reputable team with a history of success in connecting individuals and families with person-centered, recovery-oriented services and supports, particularly within Loudoun County, a diverse and fast-growing area.
Job Description, Detailed
Job Title: Master’s level Social Work or Professional Counselor Intern
Team: Forensic & Psychological Services team
Role Overview:
This is an unpaid internship position designed for master’s level students in Social Work or Professional Counseling. The intern will join a multidisciplinary team focused on providing mental health and substance abuse services within correctional and youth facilities.
Key Responsibilities:
• Mental Health Support: Provide general mental health support to incarcerated individuals.
• Risk Assessments: Conduct risk assessments for individuals.
• Treatment Services: Deliver individual and group mental health and substance abuse treatment services.
• Psychiatric Screening: Conduct psychiatric screenings.
• Crisis Intervention: Provide crisis intervention services as needed.
• Case Management: Offer case management services to individuals.
• Facility Locations: Services will primarily be provided to incarcerated individuals at the Adult Detention Center (ADC), the Juvenile Detention Center (JDC), and the Youth Shelter.
• Collaboration: Work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team, maintaining ongoing communication with correctional and medical staff to ensure safety and continuity of care.
• Documentation: Be responsible for meticulously maintaining all clinical records and documentation, adhering to federal, state, and agency policies and procedures.
Internship Program Overview:
• Supervision: Interns will receive primary supervision from a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). They may also participate in supervision groups within their team and a dedicated supervision group for interns.
• Training: Interns will receive training from staff on the evidence-based models used in the department’s programs.
• Hours: Program hours are completed on-site and in-person during normal business hours (8:30 am – 5:00 pm), with the possibility of some evening hours until 7:00 pm.
• Compensation: This is an unpaid internship, requiring a formal agreement between the intern’s academic institution and the MHSADS department.
Minimum Qualifications / Program Eligibility Requirements:
• Mental Health Counseling Students: Must be completing a Practicum/Internship.
• MSW Students: Must be a 2nd-year student.
Special Requirements:
• Mask Fitting: Must be fitted for an N-95 (or similar) mask to safely provide on-site services when necessary.
Post-Conditional Offer Contingencies:
• Background Checks: Placement is contingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment background check, which includes fingerprinting, credit check, NCIC (National Crime Information Center) check, and DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) check.
• Health Screening: Must pass a TB test.
• Driving Requirements: Must possess a good driving record and a valid driver’s license from Virginia or a regional state of residence.
