Behavioral Health Homes Internship - Biddeford & Portland

Description

INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES

The Behavioral Health Home (BHH) Care Coordinator Internship at Alternative Wellness Services (AWS) provides students and emerging professionals with hands-on experience in behavioral health case management. Interns will receive training, supervision, and mentorship while assisting individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental illness.

Under guidance from AWS professionals, interns will support clients through resource navigation, crisis intervention, and advocacy, ensuring access to essential health, social, and community services. This role emphasizes skill development in communication, documentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Interns will engage directly with clients to observe and assist with needs assessments, individualized treatment planning, and care coordination. The internship provides exposure to a multidisciplinary team, community resources, and trauma-informed care practices.

This internship is strictly educational and designed to complement an academic program with practical experience. It is unpaid, temporary, and does not guarantee a paid position upon completion.

PRIMARY LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Direct Client Work:

•  Shadow and assist in carrying a small caseload of individuals receiving BHH services.
•  Observe and participate in psychosocial assessments to identify client needs and strengths.
•  Support the development of individualized treatment plans with measurable goals and evidence-based interventions.
•  Assist with supportive counseling, crisis intervention, and care coordination under the guidance of licensed professionals.
•  Learn to advocate for clients and connect them with appropriate services to meet their health, housing, employment, and social support needs.
•  Practice goal setting and community resource referrals in collaboration with clients and supervisors.

Clinical Documentation and Assessment:

•  Assist with timely, accurate clinical documentation in accordance with state and agency standards.
•  Gain exposure to Medicaid, state regulations, and quality assurance measures.
•  Participate in case reviews, audits, and regulatory compliance monitoring as a learning opportunity.

Professional Development and Supervision:

•  Attend and participate in weekly individual supervision and biweekly group supervision sessions.
•  Engage in ongoing training in case management, crisis intervention, and behavioral health best practices.
•  Attend staff meetings and interdisciplinary team discussions to observe team-based care in practice.
•  Set internship learning goals focused on clinical decision-making, cultural competency, and ethical practice.

Resource Navigation and Community Engagement:

• Learn how to identify and access local, state, and federal resources for client referrals.
• Develop advocacy skills to assist clients with housing, healthcare, employment, and social services.
• Support clients in achieving independence through goal-setting and community integration

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES

This internship offers a structured, educational experience in behavioral health case management, bridging academic learning with hands-on practice in a supportive environment.

Key Learning Opportunities:

• Practical case management experience, developing skills in assessment, treatment planning, and client advocacy under supervision.
• Exposure to a multidisciplinary team, gaining insight into collaborative care for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.
• Training in electronic health record (EHR) documentation, compliance standards, and Medicaid billing processes.
• Ongoing supervision and mentorship, providing guidance and professional development for a future career in behavioral health.

SCHEDULE AND DURATION

• Minimum commitment of 16 hours per week, aligned with the intern’s academic calendar.
• Weekday business hours only (no evenings or weekends required).
• Reliable transportation is required; mileage reimbursement is provided for agency-related travel.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Academic Requirement: Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Bachelor’s or Master’s program in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field.

Background Check Requirement: Ability to successfully pass a criminal background check, Child Protective Services (CPS) check, and verification against state and federal suspension and debarment lists.

Certifications: Current or provisional MHRT/C certification is required to engage in direct client work. Interns without certification may shadow client interactions under supervision.

Preferred Experience: Prior experience in case management, behavioral health, or social services is preferred but not required. This internship is designed as a learning opportunity.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Strong advocacy skills and familiarity with community resources (housing, healthcare, social services).
• Exposure to or coursework in clinical documentation (assessments, treatment plans, progress notes).
• Ability to work independently while maintaining professional boundaries and applying trauma-informed care principles.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with proficiency in Google Workspace and
• Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems are preferred.
• Effective communication skills (verbal, written, and telehealth-based) to engage with clients and interdisciplinary teams.
• Willingness to learn and support crisis management efforts, including suicide risk assessment and intervention, under supervision.