Intern - Behavioral Health in Chicago, Illinois at RINCON FAMILY SERVICES

Job Title: Intern – Behavioral Health

Job Type: Internship

Job Location: Chicagoland Area

Rincon - Building Spaces, Restoring Communities- Who we are:

What began as a small clinic established by young community leaders on the West Side of Chicago in 1972 has grown into one of the largest providers of high-quality and culturally competent services focusing on counseling and crisis intervention services, substance use prevention and treatment, violence prevention, education, case management, community and family services. We are dedicated to rendering compassionate and effective programs to promote the quality of life by catalyzing to advocate, educate and empower individuals and their families.

Position Description – What the Role Entails:

• The Intern will support Rincon Family Services through hands-on learning and meaningful participation in organizational activities, projects, and day-to-day operations. Interns may be placed within various departments based on organizational needs, educational background, interests, and available opportunities.
• This position is designed to provide students and emerging professionals with practical experience in a nonprofit community-based organization while developing professional, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills. Interns will work under the guidance and supervision of assigned staff and may assist with projects, research, administrative activities, community programs, client services, or other department-specific responsibilities.
• Internship assignments may be available across a variety of our locations.

Company Culture - Do Our Values Speak to You?

At Rincon, our commitment to mutual respect, inclusivity, and diversity is woven into the structure of all that we do. We value:

• Dedication- Embodying effective and transparent leadership and quality client care.
• Education – Preventative programming and clinical services based on industry standards, competence and outreach.
• Accountability – Consistent service delivery, measurable success, and sensible financial management.
• Advocacy – Empowerment, reduction of treatment stigma, and relationship building with partners.
• Compassion – Embracing culturally diverse communities and equality through sensitivity to individual needs.

With these values in mind, we promote a culture that fosters professional development and agency success. Many of our employees span an extended tenure, and we pride ourselves on developing dedicated and supported team members.

Areas of Accountability - What you will be doing:

• Departmental & Behavioral Health Support
• Assist assigned department with daily activities, programs, projects, and operational needs.
• Support staff with administrative, organizational, research, and program-related tasks.
• Assist with preparation, coordination, and implementation of behavioral health programs, groups, workshops, and client support activities as appropriate.
• Participate in department meetings, case discussions, trainings, and other team activities as appropriate and within the intern’s scope of practice.
• Complete assigned tasks and projects accurately, professionally, and within established timelines.
• Observe and support staff in providing client-centered, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed services.
• Projects & Special Assignments
• Assist with special projects that support Rincon’s behavioral health programs, services, and organizational goals.
• Gather and organize information to support program development, quality improvement, community outreach, and client services.
• Participate in projects that provide opportunities to apply academic knowledge in psychology, social work, counseling, public health, human services, or related fields to real-world behavioral health settings.
• Client, Community & Team Communication
• Communicate professionally, respectfully, and appropriately with clients, staff, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Support a welcoming, respectful, and nonjudgmental environment for clients and community members.
• Assist staff with client-facing activities and engagement opportunities as appropriate and within the intern’s training and scope of responsibilities.
• Work collaboratively with behavioral health staff, interdisciplinary team members, and other departments.
• Ask questions, seek supervision and guidance, and communicate progress, concerns, and barriers related to assigned responsibilities.
• Participate in opportunities to learn about Rincon’s behavioral health programs, services, populations served, and community partnerships.
• Documentation, Administrative & Organizational Support
• Assist with maintaining accurate and organized behavioral health records, documents, files, and program materials in accordance with organizational policies and applicable confidentiality requirements.
• Assist with data entry, scheduling, correspondence, resource coordination, preparation of materials, and other administrative activities related to behavioral health services.
• Support collection and organization of program data, outcome measures, and other information used to evaluate and improve behavioral health services.
• Follow established procedures, organizational policies, ethical standards, and applicable requirements related to behavioral health services.
• Maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle protected, sensitive, and client-related information.
• Demonstrate appropriate professional boundaries when interacting with clients, staff, and community partners.
• Behavioral Health Learning & Professional Development
• Develop practical behavioral health and workplace skills through hands-on experience, supervision, mentorship, and observation.
• Apply knowledge and skills gained through academic coursework, training, or previous experience to behavioral health programming and service delivery.
• Develop an understanding of behavioral health systems, community-based services, prevention and intervention strategies, and available community resources.
• Learn about the needs, strengths, and experiences of individuals and communities served by Rincon.
• Participate in trainings and learning opportunities related to behavioral health, trauma-informed care, cultural responsiveness, client engagement, confidentiality, and professional ethics as available.
• Seek and incorporate feedback to strengthen professional communication, teamwork, organization, and behavioral health-related skills.
• Participate in opportunities to learn about different functions within a community-based behavioral health nonprofit organization.
• All other duties as assigned.

Rincon Rewards & Benefits- How we value you:

• Professional Development Opportunities
• Mentorship and hands-on learning opportunities
• Exposure to nonprofit and community-based programs and services
• Opportunities to develop professional and transferable workplace skills

Rincon’s Work Environment – What to expect:

• Interns may work across various Rincon departments and office locations depending on the internship assignment. The work environment may include administrative offices, program areas, community settings, and other locations relevant to the assigned department. Interns will receive guidance and supervision from assigned staff and are expected to maintain a professional, respectful, and collaborative work environment.

Schedule:

• Schedule may vary depending on department and internship placement.

The Knowledge and Expertise that Matters Most - What you bring to the Role:

• Currently enrolled in a college, university, graduate program, or other relevant educational program, or recently graduated.
• Area of study may vary depending on the internship placement and department.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a diverse and professional environment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with organizational policies and procedures.
• Previous work, volunteer, academic, or community experience is a plus but not required.
• Specific qualifications may vary depending on the department and internship assignment.

Position Qualifications – What is required to Perform the Role:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Solid technical knowledge and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with various operating systems.
• Excellent understanding of network protocols and hardware components.
• Degree in computer science or a related field (recommended).
• Relevant certification in IT support or equivalent professional experience.