The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
SCOPE OF INTERN SERVICE:
The Spring 2025 Mental Health & Wellness Intern works in close coordination with the Health and Wellness Specialist, clients, and local healthcare providers to coordinate and advocate for clients’ healthcare and preventative health needs. The Mental Health & Wellness Intern will be responsible for checking on the mental and overall well-being of clients, providing comprehensive support as needed, and guiding clients towards self-sufficiency. This opportunity primarily seeks current graduate-level students in Public Health, Social Work, or related fields.
Please note this is an unpaid internship position.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Intern will develop skills in: problem solving, client services, intercultural social work, and logistics navigation.
- Intern will gain US resettlement agency experience in assessing program needs.
- Intern will learn how to communicate cross-culturally with a diverse population, including how to effectively utilize interpreters.
- Intern will acquire knowledge of programs and public benefits available to humanitarian immigrants.
- Intern will gain skills in strategic research and outreach strategies.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide equal treatment to all client groups in accordance with the agency’s commitment to the dignity of all persons.
- Ensure clients identified as in need of mental health services receive timely referrals and case management, including coordinating medical appointments and tracking follow-ups
- Support clients in need of mental health services through referrals to licensed clinicians, connection to relevant community resources, and regular check-ins
- Attend cross-agency refugee mental health initiative meetings and workshops
- Prepare and conduct mental health orientations and wellness groups for clients, enhancing curriculum with community partner involvement and updated materials
- Assist clients to become self-sufficient in navigating and utilizing transportation resources such as Medicaid taxi and TARC bus system
- Refer clients to any other internal/external organizational services they have eligibility/interest in receiving
- Perform data entry, analysis, and administrative tasks relevant to mental health services provided
- Other duties as assigned
REQUIREMENTS
- Must be a current undergraduate or graduate student, or less than 12 months past graduation, preferably in the fields of Public Health, Social Work, Nursing, or related.
- Access to a personal vehicle/reliable transportation; IRC Louisville cannot support securing transportation or housing for interns.
- Candidates must be a U.S. citizen or must have active and compliant visas and work authorization status in the United States (the IRC must not be represented as a sponsor or host in any application, filing, or other context for an intern).
- Ability to handle sensitive client information confidentially.
- Strong intercultural communication skills, including demonstrated ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and across language barriers.
- Ability to work independently and as a part of a team
- Comfortable with Microsoft Excel and willingness to learn to use new software for data entry.
- Adherence to IRC volunteer/intern and workplace policies
- Fluency/proficiency in English, both spoken and written, are required; proficiency in language(s) spoken by client group is desired, but not required.
TRAINING & GUIDANCE
- In-depth training will be provided for interns to understand IRC programming and the various needs of clients accessing IRC services. Interns will receive training on IRC’s federal R&P and APA service agreements and their programmatic requirements for resettlement services.
- Interns with client languages who could serve as an interpreter will receive guidance on policies when interpreting. Other activity specific training will be provided as needed.
- Flexibility, initiative, and a desire to collaborate are essential qualities for this intern opportunity. A high-level of confidentiality is required when working with IRC clients.
Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.