MHDS Intern II / III

General Statement of Duties

Internships with Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services are open to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees relevant to the placement. Selection is based on applicant qualifications and agency needs. Students must be eligible to earn academic credit (required or elective). Those unable to receive credit are not eligible.Intern II/III: This internship is for current students (undergraduate or graduate level students)within Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services. This internship will be for the Spring 2027, and it is for academic credit.Interns will start on/around January 19, 2027 (depending on the student's program requirements/school schedule the internship could start later, end prior to the summer or continue into summer based on the selected students' program requirements for academic credit).

Essential Duties

Intern Job Title: MHDS Intern II/IIIHiring Department: Mental Health and Developmental Services (MH/DS)Internship Level: Current students who are eligible to earn academic credit for their programType of Student Eligible: Undergraduate or Graduate level studentPreferred Area(s) of Study: Human Services, Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, Nursing, Public Health, Sociology or other Social Sciences related behavioral health fieldsDesired GPA: 2.50 Semester of Internship: Spring 2027Start Date: January 19, 2027End Date: By the end of the spring semesterNote: Start and end dates may vary based on the student’s academic program requirements, required internship hours, and school calendar. Some placements may extend into the summer if required by the students’ program.Work Hours: Flexible; some evening hours may be required depending on placement and program requirements.Work Location: Interns will be assigned within Henrico Mental Health Prevention Services or other MHDS programs. Work locations vary based on placement.

Internship Placement Areas:

Prevention Services (Primarily undergraduate students)

Potential experiences include:

• Assisting with community-based prevention programming
• Supporting Henrico Too Smart 2 Start Coalition
• Conducting data collection and program support activities
• Participating in merchant education and store audits with Prevention Coordinators
• Working with youth in after-school or community-based settings

Traditional Adult Outpatient Services (Undergraduate and graduate students)

Potential experiences include:

• Observing individual and group therapy sessions
• Learning evidence-based treatment models
• Assisting with outcome tracking
• Completing documentation in the electronic health record (EHR)
• Providing supervised case management and therapy support

Services for Individuals with Serious Mental Illness (Undergraduate and graduate students)

• Potential experiences include:
• Participating in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings
• Case Management
• Assisting with service coordination
• Completing EHR documentation
• Observing or supporting clinical services under supervision

Lakeside Center

Potential experiences include:

• Assisting with milieu management
• Observing clinical assessments and psychoeducational groups
• Facilitating psychoeducational groups with supervision
• Completing EHR documentation

Vocational Services

• Potential experiences include:
• Observing assessments and service planning
• Supporting employment groups
• Assisting clients with job leads and applications
• Providing follow-along support services
• Completing EHR documentation

Youth and Family Services (Graduate students only)

• Potential experiences include:
• Observing therapy and case management sessions
• Participating in treatment team collaboration
• Completing EHR documentation
• Providing supervised case management and therapy services

Emergency Services (Graduate students only)

• Potential experiences include:
• Observing crisis assessments in hospitals, community settings, or on-site
• Assisting with psychiatric hospital bed searches
• Supporting crisis response efforts with clinical teams
• Completing EHR documentation

Jail and Jail Diversion Services (Undergraduate and graduate students)

Potential experiences include:

• Observing clinical assessments and crisis interventions in jail settings
• Assisting with community-based or correctional services under supervision
• Completing EHR documentation

Learning Opportunities: Depending on placement, interns may:

• Develop skills in community-based behavioral health services
• Learn prevention and intervention strategies
• Gain experience with evidence-based practices
• Build data collection and documentation skills
• Observe crisis response and interdisciplinary collaboration
• Learn professional standards for clinical documentation
• Gain experience working with youth, families, adults, and community stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• Successful candidates should demonstrate:
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Attention to detail and organizational ability
• Professionalism and willingness to accept feedback
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Comfort using technology and common software applications
• Interest in behavioral health and Public Service
• Reliable transportation
• Experience through previous employment, volunteer work, or internships is preferred but not required.

Internships are intended to provide the intern with basic experiential exposure to a field of interest. The intern must bring a strong interest in the assigned department's mission and operations and be prepared to work in a fast-paced environment. The intern will receive training relevant to the assigned responsibilities and finish the internship having gained basic experience in various aspects of the operations of the assigned department as well as basic skills and industry knowledge. Internships may include extensive public contact. Internships may be an integral part of a team or may require the intern to work more independently. The intern will also learn how to work in a professional environment and have opportunities to network with department leaders and other professionals in the internship field.

Additional Information

The application process requires you to include the following items:

1. Resume

2. Cover letter that includes the following:

• Identify the desired area of placement and why you are interested in this internship position
• Three learning goals related to the internship
• Program requirements for an internship with specifics related to the hours needed, supervision requirement, start/stop date and any other relevant information related to your program's requirements for academic credit.

3. Unofficial transcript

Interns are not entitled to a permanent position at the completion of an internship. The internship is designed to benefit the intern with the knowledge and skills gained through experiences provided during the internship.

Minimum Requirements

Education: Pursuing a graduate (master's) or undergraduate degree in a field relevant to internship; GPA of 2.50 or better;

Experience: Completion of college-level program in relevant degree program; relevant job, volunteer or previous internship experience;

Or: Any equivalent combination education and experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities relevant to the internship.

NOTE: Internships for academic credit are for current graduate and undergraduate students only who can earn academic credit for their program either as a requirement or as an elective.

Background Check Disclosure

Applicants considered for employment must successfully complete the following background investigations/tests:

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Criminal History Investigation
• State Police Criminal History Investigation
• Child Protective Services (CPS) Investigation (Dept. of Social Services, JRJDC, Juvenile Detention Home)

EEO Statement