Position Description:

Crisis Counselor Paid Intern

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Paid Internship Overview:

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Samaritans Southcoast is an internationally accredited emotional support and suicide prevention telephone hotline offering undergraduate and graduate-level internships for students studying psychology, psychiatry, social work, mental health counseling, nursing, pre-med, and public health. Students in general study programs or other majors are also encouraged to apply. 

 

Interns participate in a mandatory, intensive, 35-hour, remote training program.*  Training combines virtual classroom sessions, interactive online simulations, films and videos, and observation sessions with experienced helpline specialists on the phones.  It is designed to be both experiential and interactive and encompasses a spectrum of topics, including listening skills specific to Samaritans’ befriending techniques, depression, suicide and loss, general mental health issues, substance abuse disorder, problem callers, medical emergencies, data collection and using technology, and policies and procedures for hotline work.   

 

Paid internships are offered twice yearly:

 

July 1 - December 31, 2024 (Must complete training beginning in June*) - Application deadline April 15, 2024

January 1 – June 30, 2025 (Must complete training beginning in November*) - Application deadline October 31, 2024

 

Before applying, prospective interns must determine that they can meet the particular requirements of remote hotline work, including access to:

 

• High-speed internet

• Desktop computer or laptop

• Private cell phone

• Private, quiet room in which they can take confidential phone calls

• Some flexibility in working hours, including some evenings and weekends.

• Must complete 35 hours of Samaritans Southcoast training.*

• Must attend refresher training and staff meetings regularly.

• A background check is required as part of the application process.

• CORI check is required upon offer of internship.

 

Interns are responsible for:

 

• Securing prior approval from their institution, department, or professor before the start of an internship.

• Meeting institutional, departmental, and coursework requirements to receive credit for their internship.

• Providing practicum paperwork, timesheets, and evaluations to Samaritans Southcoast staff in a timely fashion.

• Maintaining confidentiality about calls, callers, and Samaritans Southcoast’s privacy requirements, policies, and procedures.

• Meeting the requirements of their practicum.

 

Relevant Position Information:

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• Job Title – Crisis Counselor Paid Intern

• Reports to: Program Director

• FLSA Designation: Non-exempt

• Job Type: Part-time, paid internship, 20 hours per week

• Hourly wage: $20.00

• No benefits

 

To apply:

 

To be considered for an internship with Samaritans Southcoast, please complete an online application at https://www.samaritanssoco.org/i-am-a-student.  If chosen to move forward in the application process, students can expect to be screened by phone, undergo a background check, and participate in a virtual face-to-face interview with Samaritans staff. 

• Submit a cover letter, resume, and three (3) letters of recommendation to Natalie Schrager, Human Resource Director, nschrager@samaritanssoco.org.

 

Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

 

Samaritans Southcoast is an equal-opportunity employer. No phone calls, please.

 

* Pay earned during the 35-hour training period will be deferred until successful completion of internship and will be disbursed at the regular pay rate of $20 per hour in the student’s final paycheck.