Valley Oaks Health does conduct background checks on interns prior to orientation. This site is contracted with DCS of Indiana and DCS requires background checks for all counties and states the intern has lived in for the past 5 years. Please note that having a criminal history does not always have a negative impact on the applicant’s eligibility for an internship. However, if an applicant has a CPS substantiation in any state they have lived in then they are not eligible for internship and that would cause the site to release the intern from a match. A substantiation is when the State’s DCS/CPS feel the person in question has knowingly put a child at risk, such as a DUI with a minor in the car, having altercations in front of child, charges or suspicion of child abuse/neglect, etc. If the applicant feels the substantiation is invalid they can follow up and attempt to clear the substantiation from their record.

DCS also requires a fingerprint and drug screen on each matched intern. A positive drug screen would also cause the site to release the intern from a match.

If the prints come back Conditionally Disqualified, the intern will need to contact DCS and supply them with any additional info or documents they need to make the prints “Qualified” (this info could also prove them to be Disqualified). If the intern does not take care of this, they would also be released from the match. DCS typically allows up to 3 misdemeanors but will disqualify anyone with a felony.

As of January 15, 2022 all staff at Valley Oaks will be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. All new hires (including interns) will be required to be fully vaccinated or at least have the first vaccine dose completed prior to their start date unless granted an approved medical or religious accommodation.

Applicants will be screened, interviewed, and selected by the training director and primary supervisors. Interviews will be via zoom. Candidates selected for interviews will have the opportunity to attend a virtual “Meet the Supervisors” event as well as connect with current and/or past interns to help make their ranking decision.

We are looking for candidates from strong clinical or counseling programs and with an interest or experience in community mental health center settings; a long-term career goal of working with underserved or rural populations is a plus. Interns are expected to work with clients from diverse backgrounds and with a wide range of presenting concerns and will graduate with strong generalist training. Supervision follows a supportive, developmental model, and because our system requires a thorough, detail-oriented approach to documentation, self-motivated candidates typically do well in our program. Although assessment is a core competency of the internship program, it should be noted that psychological testing is not a major focus for these internship positions.

Applicants will be screened, interviewed, and selected by the training director and primary supervisors. Interviews will be via zoom. A master’s degree (rather than educational equivalent) is required at this site. Preference will be given to students who envision practicing in Indiana long-term. We hope interns will consider employment with Valley Oaks Health upon graduation.

Valley Oaks follows CDC guidelines for COVID-19 safety protocols. As of January 15, 2022 all staff at Valley Oaks will be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine unless granted an approved medical or religious accommodation.  Interns with Valley Oaks provide primarily in-person services with some limited options for audiovisual telehealth services on an as-needed basis. All safety protocols are reviewed and updated as needed based on test positivity rates increasing or decreasing in the service area and any updated guidance from the CDC and local health departments.