Intern, Childhelp Hotline

Position Summary: Provide crisis counseling and resources to help-seekers contacting the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline.  Assists Clinical Program Manager and other Hotline Leaders in special projects.  This is a minimum 2-semester commitment.  

This is an unpaid Intern position. 

Essential Functions: 

Program Overview

• Students will complete a minimum of 40 hours of training in their first month of internship. Additionally, students will participate in monthly ongoing training and/or meetings. 
• Be exposed to best counseling skills & practices used by our professionals to support help-seekers' mental health, safety and wellness.    
• Receive training in the child welfare system, evidence and trauma-informed crisis counseling skills and vicarious trauma.  

Research and Strategy

• Students will be assigned a topic area or geographic region of the US to research local resources relevant to the hotline. Intern will contact resources, gather pertinent information about service delivery and coordinate with Field Instructor to include in the National Hotline Database.
• Help identify opportunities for program promotion and enhancement
• Opportunity to organize and co-facilitate crisis counselor education and groups to educate about and mitigate the effects of vicarious trauma. 

Hotline Services

• Provide crisis counseling, encompassing rapid rapport building, intervention through psychoeducation and emotional support.  
• Answer calls and assess/screen for needs  
• Identify and connect callers with appropriate resources/services in the help seeker’s community 

Requirements

Education/Experience/Knowledge/Understanding

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program (social work, counseling, clinical mental health, or related field), at an accredited academic college or university.
• Must be 21 years of age. 
• Clear fingerprint and background screening. 

Skills

• Strong verbal, written and listening communication skills.  
• Strong interpersonal skills and positive professional demeanor appropriate to a child-friendly and family friendly atmosphere in a trauma-informed manner. 
• Proficient in the use of the internet, Windows environment, and in the use of Microsoft Office applications such as Outlook, Word, and Teams. 
• Bilingual (Spanish) a plus but not required.

Abilities

• Ability to perform effectively on an interpersonal team.
• Ability to build rapport and garner trust with others.
• Ability to work cooperatively and professionally within a multidisciplinary environment. 
• Able to adapt to potential situations of crisis and respond with appropriate interventions.
• Able to maintain confidentiality of the children and families we serve.
• Able to handle a variety of tasks, effectively prioritize and ensure follow-through. 
• Willingness and ability to embody Childhelp’s core values of Acting with Honor and Character, Being Open and Receptive, Caring About and Relating to Others; Nurturing Diverse Relationships; Performance Excellence; and Inspirational Leading & Managing