Behavioral Health Homes Internship 2026-2027 - Biddeford
Alternative Wellness Services, Inc·Biddeford, Maine
Alternative Wellness Services, Inc·Biddeford, Maine
Interns will assist in managing a small caseload of individuals with severe mental illness through resource navigation, crisis intervention, and advocacy. They are responsible for supporting psychosocial assessments, developing treatment plans, and maintaining accurate clinical documentation.
Description INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES The Behavioral Health Home (BHH) Care Coordinator Internship at Alternative Wellness Services (AWS) provides students and emerging professionals with hands-on experience in behavioral health case management. Interns will receive training, supervision, and mentorship while assisting individuals experiencing severe and persistent mental illness.
Under guidance from AWS professionals, interns will support clients through resource navigation, crisis intervention, and advocacy, ensuring access to essential health, social, and community services. This role emphasizes skill development in communication, documentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Interns will engage directly with clients to observe and assist with needs assessments, individualized treatment planning, and care coordination. The internship provides exposure to a multidisciplinary team, community resources, and trauma-informed care practices.
This internship is strictly educational and designed to complement an academic program with practical experience. It is unpaid, temporary, and does not guarantee a paid position upon completion.
Practical case management experience, developing skills in assessment, treatment planning, and client advocacy under supervision. Exposure to a multidisciplinary team, gaining insight into collaborative care for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Training in electronic health record (EHR) documentation, compliance standards, and Medicaid billing processes. Ongoing supervision and mentorship, providing guidance and professional development for a future career in behavioral health. SCHEDULE AND DURATION Minimum commitment of 16 hours per week, aligned with the intern’s academic calendar. Weekday business hours only (no evenings or weekends required). Reliable transportation is required; mileage reimbursement is provided for agency-related travel.
Academic Requirement: Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Bachelor’s or Master’s program in Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field. Background Check Requirement: Ability to successfully pass a criminal background check, Child Protective Services (CPS) check, and verification against state and federal suspension and debarment lists.
Current or provisional MHRT/C certification is required to engage in direct client work. Interns without certification may shadow client interactions under supervision.
Preferred
Experience: Prior experience in case management, behavioral health, or social services is preferred but not required. This internship is designed as a learning opportunity.
Skills and
Knowledge: Strong advocacy skills and familiarity with community resources (housing, healthcare, social services). Exposure to or coursework in clinical documentation (assessments, treatment plans, progress notes). Ability to work independently while maintaining professional boundaries and applying trauma-informed care principles. Strong organizational and time management skills, with proficiency in Google Workspace and Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems are preferred. Effective communication skills (verbal, written, and telehealth-based) to engage with clients and interdisciplinary teams. Willingness to learn and support crisis management efforts, including suicide risk assessment and intervention, under supervision.
Market context
Behavioral-health roles in Maine often reflect steady demand from community programs, outpatient providers, and recovery-focused services. These positions are competitive because employers value lived experience, reliable transportation, and readiness to complete CIPSS training; this listing’s requirements and benefits are AI-summarized from the original job description, saving you research time. Before applying, confirm your driver’s license status and whether you can meet the certification timeline.