Social Work Intern Job Description
Accountability and Review:
Reports to: Director of the Intern/Ambassador Program
Performance review: Twice a year
Qualifications: The ideal candidate will be personable, enthusiastic, and flexible; good interpersonal skills; able to work independently and collaboratively; excellent writing skills; a quick learner who easily adapts to changing priorities and can manage multiple tasks at a time.
Job description (Community Intervention Services):
Prevention and Outreach: The community worker dives into underserved neighborhoods as a link between valuable resources and services to an individual who may otherwise go unnoticed. Often, those services include treatment for mental and emotional health issues, physical ailments, and/or addiction. Another component of this program is our series of psychoeducational groups that we facilitate throughout the Lehigh Valley that are hosted by our community partners.
Note, Our Internships are unpaid, but may also be part of an educational program in which students can earn academic credits from their college or internships may be arranged independently from the curriculum in which students would gain work experience only.
Case management: Our case managers provide effective recovery-focused support for individuals in the Lehigh Valley area who have a substance abuse disorder or are exhibiting co-occurring disorders across a continuum of services. The program works with the existing human services systems to prevent and/or avoid potentially unnecessary incarceration, aid in successful re-entry from prison to decrease recidivism while providing trauma-informed care, and a seamless continuum of care.
Trauma Focused Therapy: (Master’s Level Interns) to provide Specialized Trauma-Focused and Person-Centered Therapy to individuals who are being trafficked, have been trafficked in the past, or are at high risk of becoming trafficked.
Due to the unique needs of our clients, this therapy interns will not only meet the needs of clients in ASPIRE’s safe house program but too will bring therapy services and mental health support to the clients that we support through our community partnerships that will host therapists.
Therapy will include individual as well as group sessions
Job description (Safehouse):
The social work intern at the Safehouse serves clients who have a history of human trafficking. Our Safehouse programming includes case management, individual and group therapy, psychoeducational groups, life skills workshops, and mentorship. The social work intern professionally assesses the client and through consultation, individual or group action, develops a plan to assist the client. The intern supports the client in meeting their emotional, spiritual, and physical needs through case management.
Duties:
Provide therapy and life skills groups to residents
Complete intake assessments for new clients
Complete discharge planning upon discharge from the program
Collaborate with other interns and agencies to meet the needs of the client
Provide conflict resolution by encouraging positive methods for problem solving
Provide accurate and thorough communication about all incidents
Answer incoming calls and respond to program and resident inquiries
Provide on-site crisis intervention
Scheduling residents to meet with their case managers
Additional tasks, projects, and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor
Skills needed:
Advocacy and case management skills
Knowledge of local social service resources/providers
Ability to manage multiple needs efficiently and effectively
Effective problem-solving skills
Interpersonal skills
Motivated to take on new initiatives
Ability to work well both independently and with others
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Proficient in written and oral communication
Show strong leadership abilities
Good organizational skills and ability to follow through from beginning to end on tasks and projects
Must be able to work a flexible schedule to include evenings, weekends and holidays
Maintain and execute confidential information according to HIPAA standards
Must have and maintain a valid PA Driver’s License and insurance
Desired experience:
Any experience with case management or working with vulnerable populations is a plus