The Psychology Intern will work under general supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist at the doctoral level. The intern will provide comprehensive psychosocial consultation/assessment for identified patients/families and based on findings, facilitate interventions. Fosters positive and professional interpersonal relationships with patients/families, physicians, hospital staff, community agency representatives and visitors. Learn to effectively use interpersonal communication skills to resolve conflicts and to promote positive well-being.

Minimum Education
Vocational Education Enrolled in a CSWE-accredited Master of Social Work program (Required)

Required Skills/Knowledge
Strong communication skills.
Ability to relate to divergent patient populations.
Sensitivity to individuals from varied backgrounds and cultures.

Functional Accountabilities
Patient/Family Plan

• Provide comprehensive psychosocial assessment for identified patients and families; develop plan for intervention based on assessment.

• Uses range of communication skills to assist patients, families and staff to address care needs and complex issues.

• Facilitate interventions, based on assessment, family and staff requests, and timeframe.

• Facilitate the child protection process of assessment, referral, plan, and implementation, if appropriate.

• Provide follow-up services as appropriate and assess outcome of interventions.

• Document assessment and interventions in the patient’s medical record, in accordance with departmental standards.

Multidisciplinary Communication With Patient/Family

• Communicate with relevant hospital staff about patient care issues to insure continuity of care.

• Advocate for patient and family needs within the hospital system.

• Facilitate the discharge planning process by working with Case Management staff, nursing staff, and physicians.

• Participate in team meetings to address general and specific patient care issues.

• Help to organize patient care conferences when complex issues arise.

• Learn to educate staff about psychosocial issues impacting treatment plans.

External Resources

• Research appropriate resources to assist families to care for their children at home.

• Share information with relevant agencies, respect patient/family confidentiality.

• Maintain positive and effective referral relationships with community agencies and professional organizations.

• Maintains positive and effective referral relationships with community agencies and professional organizations.

• Advocate for patient/family needs within the community.

Patient/Family Outcome

• Intervene in complex situations involving patient care needs, communication problems, or systems issues.

• Research appropriate solutions within the hospital or in the community.

• Learn to mediate conflictual situations, collaborate with other staff as appropriate.

• Provide assistance to patients, families, and staff, while maintaining respect for boundaries; set appropriate limits.

Safety

• Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance

• Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation

• Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation

• Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication

• Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers

• Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance

Organizational Accountabilities
Professional Environment & Standards

• Meet with field instructor for regular supervision; prepare agenda and discuss areas of concern.

• Participate in student social work seminars and in Psychosocial Staff meetings.

• Meet all departmental requirements for chart recording, statistics, and other professional documentation and submit documents in a timely manner.

• Participate in departmental performance improvement activities as appropriate.

• Practice in accordance with the NASW Code of Ethics.

Organizational Commitment/Identification

• Partner in the mission and upholds the core principles of the organization

• Committed to diversity and recognizes value of cultural ethnic differences

• Demonstrate personal and professional integrity

• Maintain confidentiality at all times

Customer Service

• Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met

Teamwork/Communication

• Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior

• Partner with all team members to achieve goals

• Receptive to others’ ideas and opinions

Performance Improvement/Problem-solving

• Contribute to a positive work environment

• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change

• Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes

• Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment

Cost Management/Financial Responsibility

• Use resources efficiently

• Search for less costly ways of doing things