INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS
VCBH is honored to be an awardee of The Mentored Internship Program grant - a component of the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Behavioral Health Workforce Development (BHWD) efforts. The “MIP’s overarching goal is to enhance the professional development of diverse talent to help meet California’s urgent need for BH workforce in the near-term, ... expand California’s future BH workforce, ... and develop ongoing partnerships ... between BH organizations and local educational institutions.”
The 2022-2023 Academic Year is focused on improving the Internship Program structure to establish standardized clinical experiences and strengthen a mentorship supervision model through the MIP grant process. VCBH will be working closely with Advocates for Human Potential, Inc (AHP), the grant Administrative Entity on behalf of DHCS, and our endorsing educational partners to create structures which will support future capacity.
VCBH sincerely appreciates the endorsement of our local educational partners and looks forward to ongoing collaborative partnerships: Ventura County Community College District: Oxnard College; California Lutheran University; California State University, Northridge; California State University, Channel Islands; and Antioch University, Santa Barbara.
2023-2024 OPPORTUNITIES
The focus and priority will remain on providing internship opportunities for students who attend local educational institutions and who are interested in pursuing careers in the field of public behavioral health.
Given current capacity, additional educational partnership opportunities are not available at this time.
* 2023-2024 educational experiences are currently open only to students enrolled in required coursework at universities with which there is an updated and current Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): Ventura County Community College District: Oxnard College; California Lutheran University; California State University, Northridge; California State University, Channel Islands; Antioch University, Santa Barbara; University of Southern California.
Should additional opportunities become available following Spring interviews, this website will be updated at that time. Questions regarding possible future opportunities and MOU status may be addressed to: VCBH.Internships@ventura.org
PSYCHOLOGY PRE-DOCTORAL INTERNSHIP
Currently, Ventura County Behavioral Health does not offer clinical training for Pre-doctoral Interns. Post-doctoral opportunities are provided within the department in the form of employment.
One would apply for these experiences through the Ventura County Human Resources website at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ventura. The job classification is: Staff Psychologist.
DOCTORAL PRACTICUM
Ventura County Behavioral Health provides doctoral-level practicum opportunities in an outpatient public mental health setting for PhD/PsyD students enrolled in a graduate PhD/PsyD program with which VCBH has an active MOU*.
Advanced students with previous mental health experience and/or previous practicum hours are given priority in the recruitment process given the Level of Care of services provided at VCBH.
A two-semester commitment is required, with a minimum of 11 months (16 hours/week). Internships begin in July.
Round 1: Applications for the 2023-2024 academic year are now available, with a deadline of March 22, 2023. Interviews will be scheduled in February and March with placement offers made by April 1, 2023. Note: Additional opportunities may be available following Round 1 placements.
PSYCHIATRIC MENTAL HEALTH NURSE PRACTITIONER CLINICAL TRAINING
Currently, there are no openings for PMHNP training positions. For any questions about possible future opportunities, you can contact vcbh.internships@ventura.org.
MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK INTERNSHIP
Ventura County Behavioral Health provides internship opportunities in a variety of outpatient mental health clinics and program located throughout the County of Ventura for MSW students enrolled in a graduate MSW program with which VCBH has an active MOU*. Students receive experience and training in public mental health services.
Internships begin in the Fall semester and require a two-semester commitment.
Applications will be posted by March 2023, with a deadline of April 15, 2023. Interviews will be offered in April 2023, with placement notification by May 1, 2023.
Associate (ACSW) opportunities are provided within the department in the form of employment. One would apply for these experiences through the Ventura County Human Resources website at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ventura. The job classification is: Behavioral Health Clinician I/II.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY OR PROFESSIONAL CLINICAL COUNSELING TRAINEESHIP
Ventura County Behavioral Health provides traineeship opportunities in outpatient public mental health for students enrolled in graduate MFT or PCC programs with which VCBH has an active MOU*. The department follows all state licensing regulations and educational requirements. Students receive experience and training in public mental health services.
AMFT or APCC Associate opportunities are provided within the department in the form of employment. One would apply for these experiences through the Ventura County Human Resources website at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ventura. The job classification is: Behavioral Health Clinician I/II.
Internships begin in the Fall semester with a two-semester commitment requirement (16 hours/week).
Applications will be posted by March 2023, with a deadline of April 15, 2023. Interviews will be offered in April 2023, with placement notification by May 1, 2023.
MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATE INTERNSHIP
The internship program, offered by VCBH, is dedicated to enhancing the learning experience for students currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program with which VCBH has an active MOU*. Students receive experience and training in public mental health services, comprehensive clinical experiences, excellent supervision and supplemental seminars and workshops. There are 2 learning tracks: 1) Direct service/case management 2) Community services coordination.
This internship opportunity is only available for students at the Junior or Senior level, majoring in Psychology, Sociology or other behavioral health field and are enrolled in university required coursework.
Applications will be posted in March 2023, with a deadline of April 24, 2023. Interviews will be scheduled in April/May 2023, with placement offers by May 15, 2023.
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKER PRACTICUM
The practicum program, offered by VCBH, is dedicated to providing comprehensive training opportunities for students enrolled in Addictive Disorders Studies programs. The practicum provides comprehensive clinical experiences, excellent supervision and supplemental seminars and workshops. In the first semester of the practicum experience, students are oriented to the County Behavioral Health System and observe services in the Substance Use Services programs to ensure exposure to the 13 Competency Domains for Addiction Counselors. In the second semester of their practicum, students are assigned to an out-patient mental health program as a Mental Health Associate Intern to strengthen case management and documentation skill.
A two-semester commitment is required, with a minimum of 300 hours (16 hours/week).
All students must have completed the minimum pre-requisite courses in an Addictive Disorders Studies/ Substance Abuse Counselling program and be currently enrolled in a field experience course in a school with which VCBH has an active MOU*.
For any questions regarding possible future opportunities you can contact vcbh.internships@ventura.org.
Applications for the Fall 2023 will be posted by April 1, 2023, with a deadline of May 1, 2023. Interviews will be scheduled in May, with placement offers made by June 1, 2023.
