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 WORK:
The Therapeutic Services (TS) Intern will work closely with the TS staff to provide support and a positive experience to clients seeking external mental health services and facilitate client to overcome obstacle that prevent them from assessing services, advocating for themselves, and achieving their healing goals. This position will include screening clients for emotional distress, assisting clients establish care with other provider, providing ongoing support to clients to ensure their needs are met, as well as serving as an emergency navigator to assist clients access/obtain services for basic needs such as food, insurance, clothing, etc.
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
Minimum Qualifications:
RESPONSIBILITIES:
•Screen clients for emotional distress using Refugee Health Screener-15 (RHS15).
•Complete appropriate referrals for various services and provide care follow up and coordination.
•Assist clients with mental health services navigation and equip them with skills for self-advocacy.
•Teach clients skills (ex: appointment organization, scheduling interpretation, scheduling transportation, etc.) to access services on their own.
•Serve as an emergency resource navigator to assist clients obtain/apply for services for basic needs such as food, insurance, clothing, etc.
•Advocate for quality and culturally appropriate care in a systematic and strategic way.
•Complete administrative tasks (ex: survey, case note, date tracking, etc) on timely manners.
•Assist the TS program organize and recruit clients for monthly wellness or family strengthening events.
•Practice sensitivity to cultural and personality differences of clients by respecting their beliefs and values.
•Collaborate with community agencies to support clients receiving services.
•Other relevant program support duties, as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS:
•Must have a Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card
•Bachelor’s level focus on public health, counseling, social work, public health or related field is strongly encouraged but is not a limiting factor for candidates.
•Willingness to make initiative to achieve goals.
•Demonstrate cultural humility and an understanding of trauma-informed care.
•Ability to communicate effectively with clinical team, clients, and staff.
•Experience with vulnerable populations preferred, in particular psychological trauma due to war, displacement, violence, and persecution.
•Desire to work with an ethnically diverse international population in innovative ways.
•Ability to work effectively with partners, colleagues, and clients in a cross-cultural, team-based environment.
•Ability to present oneself in an appropriately personable and professional manner to clients and staff.
•Ability to be both consistent and flexible as circumstances warrant.
•Ability to receive and utilize constructive feedback regarding performance, presentation and relationships with others.
•Strong written and verbal communication skills.
•Strong computer skills.
•Proficiency in a second language spoken by the client base strongly preferred but not required.
•A positive attitude and a desire to learn and adapt traditional clinical skills to meet the needs of a diverse client base.
•A vehicle, current driver’s license and valid insurance.
•Must complete a HireRight Background Check
LEARNING OUTCOMES: This internship provides case management, care coordination, and advocacy experience in a community agency setting. Under direction of a supervisor, interns get practice in cross-cultural 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 cultural backgrounds, presenting problems and trauma.
•General principles of assessment and an understanding of symptoms to look for when conducting a mental health screening.
•Evaluate effectiveness of intervention(s) provided.
•Prepare and maintain records required.
•Learn to use individual supervision effectively.
•Learn critical thinking and organization skills.
•Learn problem solving and advocacy skills on behalf of clients.
•Demonstrate the ability to communicate and collaborate with various professionals and stakeholders.
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.