Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services Intern (Unpaid)

SCOPE OF WORK (INTERN): IRC NJ’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services is part of the Health and Wellness program. The Team supports newcomers as they learn to navigate the U.S. health care system. We recognize that clients are the experts on their own lives, experiences, and beliefs. The Health and Wellness team uses client expertise to guide, encourage, and empower clients as they interact with various health systems. We teach clients how to set up appointments, find specialists, apply for health insurance, request interpretation, access emotional support services, among many other skills and needs. Additionally, the MHPSS intern serves a specialized role in helping facilitate and coordinate mental health care for our clients, working with the MHPSS Clinical Supervisor and the doctoral level psychology externs.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Health and Wellness Interns will assist IRC NJ clients with a variety of support services, such as Medicaid/New Jersey Family Care follow up, appointment accompaniment, transportation orientations, supported health referrals, and developing health resources for IRC NJ clients. The MHPSS intern will also provide other direct services to clients as needed, under the supervision of the MHPSS Clinical Supervisor and the Health and Wellness Supervisor. These responsibilities will include:

- Assist with scheduling screening appointments and initial assessments for clients assigned to Psychology Externs

- With the MHPSS Clinical Supervisor, develop and maintain an excel summary sheet of referrals and clients served

- Assist with development of additional databases as needed

- Assist clients with learning the NJ public transportation system so clients can come to the IRC for MHPSS appointments

- Accompany Clinical Supervisor and Psychology Extern on client home visits as requested and as schedule permits

- Following an introductory training, participate in co-facilitating client psychoeducational groups with Psychology Extern

- Assist with interpretation if needed by Psychology Externs

- Develop and maintain an update to date list of mental health resources in the state, focusing primarily on northern and central NJ

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. The student will learn about refugee resettlement issues and processes as they relate to client’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.

2. The student will learn how to effectively navigate health systems that IRC NJ clients frequently need and access.

3. The student will develop basic psychosocial support skills in facilitating MHPSS work with clients, guided by assigned Psychology Externs

Qualifications REQUIREMENTS:

- Currently pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in public health, social work, or related field.

- Available at least 15 hours each week, combination of in person and remote

- Experience working with diverse populations, ideally in the context of psychosocial support, health and wellness.

- Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations is highly desirable.

- Fluency in a second language is preferred (e.g., Spanish, Arabic, French, Haitian Creole, Kiswahili, Dari or Pashto)

- Solid computer skills, including email, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, among others.

- Strong research skills.

- Willingness to travel in Northern and Central NJ to meet with clients.

IRC leading the way From Harm to Home.

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Added 30 days ago - Updated 1 hour ago - Source: rescue.org