Internships

As part of our commitment to supporting community-centered behavioral healthcare, we offer a limited number of internships and practicums.

Interns work with a diverse client population as members of multidisciplinary teams in outpatient, inpatient, crisis, substance use recovery and school-based programs.

Under the supervision of a qualified professional, you will gain hands-on experience:

  • Managing a caseload
  • Developing and implementing treatment goals
  • Assessing and diagnosing clients
  • Documenting and recordkeeping
  • Building your identity as a therapist
  • Facilitating groups
Duties

As members of a care team, interns are expected to demonstrate the clinical skill and experience to plan, develop, coordinate, and provide treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to program clients.

Possible placements (You Choose Top Three):

  • Outpatient Services – Adult or Child & Family
  • Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) for adults with severe chronic mental illnesses that interfere with daily functioning
  • School-based Programs
  • Substance Use Treatment
  • 24/7 programs – Adult Inpatient Unit, Youth Inpatient Unit, Crisis Triage Center, Mobile Crisis Outreach Team
Requirements
  • Be within one year of completing a master’s degree in psychology, social services or behavioral health
  • Have the capacity to work well with vulnerable populations
  • Register as a Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor
Timing

Placements are for one calendar year and can start any time

Application Process
  • Openings are determined by the availability of licensed staff members to supervise interns
  • Available internships are posted on our Open Positions page; this can happen year-round
  • Apply at least three months before you need your placement to begin
  • KMHS staff interested in internships should speak to their supervisor
Placement Decision
  • Interview – If you’re selected for an interview, we’ll contact you within two weeks.
  • Application Status – We’ll notify all applicants of their status within four weeks.
  • Reference and Background Check – People Experience will check references and complete a background check
  • Orientation – Interns must complete our two-week New Employee Orientation

Questions? Email [email protected]

Stipend

$400 per week, excluding academic breaks

Open to Olympic College Behavioral Healthcare Students Only
Duties

As members of a care team, interns are expected to demonstrate the clinical skill and experience to plan, develop, coordinate, and provide treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to program clients.

Possible placements (You Choose Top Three):

  • Outpatient Services – Adult or Child & Family
  • Wraparound Intensive Services (WISe)
  • Flexible Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) for adults with severe chronic mental illnesses that interfere with daily functioning
  • School-based Programs
  • Substance Use Treatment
  • 24/7 programs – Adult Inpatient Unit, Youth Inpatient Unit, Crisis Triage Center, Mobile Crisis Outreach Team
Requirements
  • Be within one year of completing a degree in psychology, social services or behavioral health at Olympic College
  • Possess and maintain a valid Washington State driver’s license and have reliable, insured transportation
  • Have the capacity to work well with vulnerable populations
  • Register as a Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor
Timing

Placements are for winter and spring academic quarters, January to mid-June

Application and Placement Process
  • Internship Placement – Olympic College program advisor assigns students to the internship program.
  • KMHS Application – Assigned students complete KMHS application in December preceding their placement.
  • Reference and Background Check – People Experience will check references and complete a background check
  • Orientation – Interns must complete our two-week New Employee Orientation

Questions? Email [email protected]

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Clinical Hours

An opportunity to gain necessary behavioral health experience in a community mental health agency while working one-on-one with an experienced DNP. Students will be working with adults involved in Medical Services for outpatients, or with adolescents in an inpatient setting.

Application and Placement
  • Placement is available for DNP students from the University of Washington through the UW School of Nursing placement coordinator.
  • No direct applications will be accepted.
Requirements
  • Pass UW and KMHS background checks
  • Complete CPR training
  • Have all recommended immunizations and be tested for TB
Timing

Placements are quarterly following the UW class schedule

Other Clinical Placements

All arranged through participants’ college or university

  • Clinical rotations for 100+ Olympic College RN and LPN students each year, two to three days of job shadowing
  • Preceptorship for up to three OC RN students per year, 160 hours
  • Practicums for Olympic College Medical Assistant students, approximately 160 hours
  • Psychiatric residency through UW Medicine, one resident working year round in the TMS clinic
  • Residency rotations for approximately 12 family medicine residents through five or six KMHS departments each year through the Northwest Washington Family Medicine Residency Training Program