Psychosocial Support Intern

SCOPE OF WORK:The Psychosocial Support Intern provides culturally and linguistically appropriate supportive therapeutic and psychoeducational services utilizing trauma-informed care. The client population served through this program includes refugees, asylees, and asylum seekers, who may be survivors of torture, victims of human trafficking, gender-based violence survivors, victims of domestic violence or other crimes, and those experiencing mental and emotional distress. This population represents numerous nationalities and ethnic backgrounds, many of whom do not speak English.

The Psychosocial Support Intern is responsible for building resilience of people forcibly displaced. This position will be engaging with individuals and families from the diverse communities who are experiencing adjustment difficulties to offer encouragement, practical assistance, guidance, and emotional support. The role will include conducting client-centered needs assessments and skill-building workshops to enhance problem solving and promote positive interactions. Depending on community need, the psychosocial support intern may also co-facilitate support groups, provide educational workshops, and develop community activities that foster healthy connections. The Psychosocial Support Intern will also assist with client care coordination and program coordination for other TS services activities. The nature of this work is dynamic and requires some flexibility and willingness to adapt to adverse situations as they arise.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Meet with individuals and families in the community or virtually to conduct needs assessments
• Assist with support group session planning and arrangement as well as co-facilitation.
• Prepare an appropriate plan of action with clearly identified goals and activities
• Under supervision,engageinevidencedbasedpsychoeducationandskillbuilding activities
• Refer clients to community resources or to specialists as necessary and other case management duties.
• Provides follow up with clients for continued care coordination.
• Document activities through case notes and data entry
• Collaborate with supervisor or TS staff to provide crisis assessment
• Assist with evaluation of current program services and explore ways to introduce new service opportunities
• Attend IRC trainings and conference calls addressing mental health program development and other refugee mental health and psychosocial support related topics
• Maintain confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
• Attend individual supervision.
• Drive clients using your own vehicle when needed (if school allows).
• Work in both a standard office environment and community-based environment.
• Other duties, as required

LEARNING OUTCOMES:This internship provides psychosocial support, group facilitation, case management and care coordination experience in a community agency setting. Under direction of a supervisor, interns get practice in cross-cultural group facilitation, psychosocial support, assessment, outreach, resource provision, documentation, in-service training, and data collection.

• Knowledge of the role of racial, ethnic, and cultural heritage; nationality; socioeconomic status; family structure; age; gender; sexual orientation; religious and spiritual beliefs, occupation, physical and mental status and equity issues in a community social work setting.
• Understand the roles of community social workers and the relationship between social workers and other professionals in a community agency setting.
• Demonstrate an understanding of ethical and legal considerations specifically related to the practice of community social work and engage in appropriate ethical behavior.
• Understand and demonstrate basic and advanced helping skills with a variety of clients with diverse presenting problems and trauma.
• Understanding of how to apply appropriate individual and group facilitation skills for initiating, maintaining, and terminating services.
• General principles of assessment and an understanding of symptoms to look for when conducting an intake for psychosocial support.
• Evaluate effectiveness of intervention(s) provided.
• Prepare and maintain records required.
• Learn to use individual supervision effectively.