Social Work Internship

Social Work Internship 

KSB Hospital is non-profit, independent healthcare provider located in Dixon, Illinois. We are an 80 bed acute-care facility with primary care and multi-specialty clinics in our surrounding communities. KSB employs multiple social workers in diverse settings. The Social Work Internship program offers three tracks; Pediatric, Inpatient and Outpatient, and allows for interns to shadow in various areas of the organization in addition to their chosen track (i.e. Palliative Care, Medical Social Work, Integrated Primary Care Pediatrics, Inpatient Psychiatric Unit, Outpatient Care Coordination, Outpatient Adult & Child Therapy). Interns will be provided with weekly one-hour supervision with their credentialed social work field supervisor as well as monthly group didactic learning opportunities.  Interns will be provided with learning opportunities to apply the core competencies of The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and gain experience in a multitude of settings. 

Prerequisites:

MSW or advanced standing BSW at an accredited university.  Must be a student in good standing with your university.  Flexible, motivated students who enjoy a challenging environment have found this practicum to be a good fit for them.

Experience, Essential Skills and Personal Characteristics:

• Must be able to maintain confidentiality and work in a professional manner
• Must be able to maintain appropriate client boundaries
• Must be comfortable working with diverse clients and children
• Must be comfortable working collectively on group projects, workshops, and other assignments

Pediatric Primary Care Behavioral Health Integration Internship

The Student Intern will work as part of an interdisciplinary team in a primary care pediatrics clinic that is recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance as a Patient Centered Medical Home.  The Intern will gain experience with casework services, limited crisis intervention, psychosocial histories, basic needs assessment, staff consultation and education as well as patient advocacy.

Inpatient Social Work Internship 

The Student Intern will work closely with an interdisciplinary team including; nursing staff, doctors, activity therapists, among other healthcare professionals in Med/Surg, ICU, OB, Surgical Services and Emergency. The Intern will gain experience working with adults with a variety of mental health issues including; Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Depression, Anxiety, among others in an adult (18+) psychiatric 14 bed Behavioral Healthcare unit.

This is a crisis-type setting and candidates should be prepared to work with individuals struggling with suicidal thoughts, plans, or attempts; agitated patients, and individuals experiencing psychotic symptoms such as delusions and hallucinations.

Outpatient Behavioral Health Internship

The Outpatient Intern will work closely with outpatient staff in coordinating new patient appointments and running outpatient groups. The intern will network with community resources and will meet one on one with new patients to perform needs assessments and connect them with appropriate resources. The intern must be able to work independently, be organized, and self-motivated. The intern will gain experience in limited crisis intervention, case management, coordination and running groups, basic needs assessments, community networking, and patient advocacy.

The following section contains standards of behavior for which all employees/students are responsible. Standards of behavior that are noted as “Needs Improvement” require an action plan for improvement.

1. Communication – Uses the best method of communication for the issue at hand. Is a good communicator both orally and written. Responds in a timely manner to telephone calls, emails, etc. Does not speak unkindly in regards to coworkers or other departments. Keeps supervisor informed of situations within the department and the organization.
2. Professionalism - Consistently has a positive attitude and is upbeat and positive, greets others, smiles and makes eye contact. Shows a sense of ownership in all they do. Accepts change well and adapts to new situations. Goes beyond patient/customer expectations.
3. Customer Service – Consistently provides competent care being efficient in tasks/resources. Focuses on improving results. Demonstrates an ongoing commitment to serving the customer as the most important part of the health care chain, providing prompt care and apologizing for delays.
4. Privacy /Confidentiality – Has received training, knows and meets all job-relevant standards related to HIPAA and Security. Respects the privacy of patients and their families, coworkers, and KSB Hospital. Follows the policy for release of information.
5. Safety – Has received training, know and meets all job relevant standards related to OSHA, Fire, Safety and Utilities, Security, Emergency Preparedness, etc. Complies with all safety policies using proper tools in order to provide a safe work environment. Wears ID Badge at all times. When lifting heavy items always use proper lifting techniques. Addresses Employee/Patient incidents promptly, identifies and mitigates risks, follows Hand Hygiene guidelines, medication reconciliation (if applicable), and ventilator use (if applicable) all in accordance with KSB policies.
6. Teamwork – Works well with other members of his/her department to promote a team effort for the good of the department’s functions. Recognizes and rewards success.
7. Required In-Services – all applicable required in-services have been completed for the evaluation year.