Counseling Intern/Trainee

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Position Title: Counseling Intern/Trainee

Program Area: Healing Center

Accountable to: Clinical Supervisor

Classification: Term Internship/Practicum Part-Time (Maximum of 20 clinical hours + participation in clinical supervision, professional development, training, orientation, and team meetings)

Compensation: Volunteer/unpaid

Accountability Framework:

Responsible for being in compliance with corporate policies and procedures, and recommends improvements/changes to existing corporate policies to supervisor. Follows operational procedures within area of work, and provides feedback on same to supervisor. Receives support and supervision from supervise to ensure achievement of work in area of responsibility.

Purpose of Position:

To ensure YWCA Silicon Valley delivers a high quality school based and clinical counseling program through the delivery of high quality, culturally competent, trauma informed services. Must not fail to deliver ethically, legally, and clinically appropriate counseling services. Must not fail to participate in all training and orientation sessions, collect and remit fees in accordance with policies and procedures, enter client data within monthly deadlines, follow program and agency procedures and policies, and comply with information management and confidentiality standards.

Competencies:

Integrity & Accountability

Communication

Cultural Awareness

Team Work

Self-Awareness & Emotional Intelligence

Client-Centered Service

Flexibility

Commitment to Learning

Relationship Building

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

Client Service:

• Adhere to service schedule set with management: Deliver service to a maximum of 20 hours weekly, in addition to team meetings and training

• Actively participate in and attend supervision on a weekly basis, and participate in two performance evaluations within a 10 month period

• Attend all professional development, orientation, and training sessions, and demonstrate application of knowledge in service delivery

• Deliver, and be able to demonstrate delivery of services in clinically, ethically, legally, and professionally appropriate manner, and in supporting the overall program to meet and exceeding these standards

Standards of Performance:

• Self-evaluation and performance appraisal is completed on time within a 10 month period

• Adheres to service schedule

• Attends all related training, orientation and professional development delivered by the YWCA. If interns/trainees are unable to attend due to unforeseeable and/or unpreventable reasons, ensures permission granted by the Clinical Supervisor. Can demonstrate compliance with and application of information delivered at training and orientation sessions.

• Attendance at all individual/group supervisory meetings

• Ensures all services are delivered and documented in a legally and ethically appropriate manner

Program Administration:

• Ensures the compliance with agency and program standards, policies, and procedures, including but not limited to information management, confidentiality, and fee collection/remittance
• Ensures entry of all ETO data within 10 calendar days of prior month end, except in June when all data updating is due on or before the last day of school
• Ensures accurate tracking of client fees, balances, and pro-actively works with clients to achieve payment of all balances
• Reads and responds to all program related e-mail
• Ensure effective management of program related resources and supplies

Standards of Performance:

• Responds to e-mails within two business days (YWCA assigned e-mail account)
• Completes monthly report on deadline (if applicable)
• Ensures client information management, confidentiality protocols, and agency and program standards, policies and procedures are followed without fail
• Ensures effective close to the school year end (e.g. file and inventory management), and must not fail to ensure all case files are properly filed at the YWCA after sign off from supervisor
• Must not fail to ensure all client balances are 'zero’ by end of term

Additional Duties:

• Advance the mission, vision and values of YWCA Silicon Valley
• Identify and pursue opportunities for personal and professional development
• Additional duties as assigned by Clinical Supervisor

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the theoretical, clinical, ethical and legal aspects of mental health counseling
• Experience in providing therapy to individuals, couples, groups, and/or families preferred
• Effective and professional communication skills, both verbal and written
• Cultural competency and respect with individuals from different ethnic, racial, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds and sexual orientations
• Ability to work both independently as well as in a cooperative group setting
• Ability to interface with other service providers and agencies
• A Master’s Degree in the counseling, social work or mental health disciplines (degree must be completed by anticipated start date). Registration with the Board of Behavioral Sciences as a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern or Associate Social Worker within 6 months of graduation

Desirable Qualifications:

• Demonstrated commitment to and passion for YWCA Silicon Valley mission
• Solutions-based, strengths based leadership
• Demonstrated understanding of capacity building principles
• Demonstrated understanding of trauma-informed care, client-centric practices, anti-oppression and feminist-based approaches and cultural humility

Working Conditions:

• Prolonged periods of sitting may be required
• Lifting equipment up to 30 pounds
• Complex problem solving

Special Conditions of Employment - Employee must have:

• Valid CPR/First Aid Certification
• Valid TB Test
• Fingerprint and have cleared background check
• A Master’s Degree in the counseling, social work or mental health disciplines or currently in Practicum preparing for graduation. Registration with the Board of Behavioral Sciences as a Marriage and Family Therapist Intern or Associate Social Worker within 6 months of graduation.

YWCA Silicon Valley is an equal opportunity provider and does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender/gender identity/gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, immigration status, socio-economic status, familial/marital status, veteran status, medical status, being differently-able, or any other basis prohibited by law.