EXTERNSHIP OR Internship Program

Future Options of Arizona Internship Program is a partnership between the school, the student, and our agency, with each role being interdependently important for overall success. All interns are supervised by a staff member and the student may receive hourly pay or school credit for work performed. The duration for an internship with the company may be one semester, one year, or an agreed-upon length of time between the student, the company and the school. An internship with the company will introduce a student to the Arizona Department of Health Services system and in general will learn about the juvenile, long term care and other related systems in Arizona with programs for undergraduate level students in Behavioral health and Human sciences , Health Sciences, Psychology, Social Work, Business or Counseling. An internship with the company is based on five overarching premises:

1. To provide meaningful work experience for the students and give them a structured experience where they can apply knowledge gained in the classroom.

2. To guide students' educational development through mentoring.

3. To strengthen relationships with community schools and universities.

4. To treat interns as professionals and valuable members of our agency.

5. To foster an environment for learning and growth which can produce experienced professionals for our field.

INTERNSHIP GUIDELINES

The following requirements are necessary to pursue an internship with the company:

• An agreement between the company and the student’s academic department (as needed).

• Must be 21 years of age or older.

• Must have completed and cleared a formal background check, including fingerprinting, before beginning an internship or interacting with company's participant on a regular and direct basis.

• All cleared workers must attend orientation and training prior to beginning the internship.

• Interns will respect the function of department staff and contribute fully to maintaining a professional relationship between staff and interns.

• Interns will carry out assignments in a professional manner and will seek the assistance of the coordinator or manager when necessary and follow guidance of clinical supervisor.

• Interns will respect and accept the department’s right to dismiss any intern for such reasons as poor performance, poor attendance, unwillingness to accept direction, etc.

• Appropriate casual dress attire is required.

• Additional security issues will be discussed in training.

WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY?

We are an agency committed to rehabilitate youth and adults by providing appropriate and effective treatment plans which will lead them to become productive members of society. We strongly believe that staff and interns place a crucial part in each person turning their lives around for the better. If you are interested in a career related to  behavioral health sciences, clinical psychology, social work, or counseling, then consider the company as a place to explore those possibilities.

HOW DO YOU APPLY?

If you are interested in becoming an intern with the company, please contact our Internship Coordinator at FutreOptionsAZ@GMAIL.COM  for more information.

 Eligibility:

• Age 21+ with GED/HS diploma

• Required to hold Az fingerprint card & First aid /CPR card.

• Attending a college/university in the state of Arizona.

• Have legal right to work documentation in the U.S.

• Must be available to work entire length of working program. (See your academic program for details)

• Must be able to attend a job shadowing or related training as necessary

• Must have own transportation & insurance, to work site regardless of proximity to residence and access to internet for virtual assignments. Work site locations will vary by availability and location. Work sites located within Maricopa or Pinal counties

• Worker(s) will be selected to participate as space is limited.

• TB test and COVID19 vax (as needed).

Pay starts at $15/hr

Student at Maricopa CoBehavioral, Mental & Social Health Services externship program

Future Options of Arizona (FOAz) prepares students for a career in behavioral and social health. Behavioral, Mental & Social Health Services program prepares students to earn the Arizona Article 9 certification which allows the certificate holder to obtain employment as direct support personnel for group homes, as well as potentially being a job coach for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Looking for ways to gain experience before graduation? Opportunities to begin your career with us include:

• Peer Support & Recovery Specialist

• Behavioral Health Technician

• Community Behavioral Health Specialist

• ALTCS assistant

Externship Opportunities (non paid)

This is a paid training program that helps you gain experience in:

• Recovery based approach to client care

• Screening, assessment, treatment planning, and case management

• Individual and group counseling services

• Application of clinical methods and procedures

• Scheduled activities of daily living

To qualify for our externship program, you must:

• Good academic standing in an accredited educational institution ex. Maricopa Colleges or other colleges in Arizona

• Updated Resume

• Az Fingerprint card

• First Aid/CPR card

• COVID19 vaccination

• Be currently enrolled in a behavioral health related degree program

• Enthusiastic and dedicated to helping others

• Reliable and able to commit to a consistent work schedule

• 18 years of age and 3 consecutive years with a valid driver’s license

FAQ (Frequently Answered Questions)

• • Students should anticipate up to a 30 minute drive to their work site.

  • The externship length can be up to 130+ hours. Externships will run weekly during academic semester(s).  When not at the externship site students are to be in class during regularly scheduled hours. Student will complete a timesheet and have this signed by FOAz site supervisor to verify hours.

NOTE: DATES OF EXTERNSHIP SUBJECT TO CHANGE

• • Students are required to complete a minimum of 10 hours at their clinical externship site each week

  • NO CELL PHONES DURING THE SHIFT! (Except for emergencies)

  • You may not miss more than a set amount of days while out on externships. 

  • You are to always maintain a professional appearance. Piercings should be minimal, tattoos should not be visible, and hair color should be natural. You are to follow the policies of the FOAz agency. If you are concerned about this, ask about our policy.

Externs—students who participate in job shadowing offered by sponsoring employers—are not employees covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), according to a wage and opinion letter released by the Department of Labor (DOL) 

• The training is similar to what would be given in a vocational school or academic educational instruction.

• The training is for the benefit of the trainees or students.

• The trainees or students do not displace regular employees, but work under their close observation.

• The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the trainees or students, and the employer’s operations may be impeded.

• The trainees or students are not entitled to a job at the end of the training period.

• The employer and the trainees or students understand that the time spent in training will not entitle the program participants to wages.