Internship Opportunities

Unpaid Internship Opportunities

MISSION/VISION Healthcare Alternative Systems (H.A.S.) provides a continuum of multicultural and bilingual (English/Spanish) behavioral care and social services that empower individuals, families, and communities. H.A.S. seeks to implement sustainable programs that benefit society by improving the well-being and recovery efforts of those individuals, families, and communities impacted by behavioral health problems. With eleven locations across the Chicagoland area, H.A.S. provides services and resources to individuals at every stage in their behavioral/recovery journey so that they can be successful and become contributing members of their communities.

Internship Areas Include:

Clinical & Behavioral Health Services (Mental health counseling, substance use treatment)

Community Outreach & Prevention (Public health initiatives, harm reduction, gambling prevention)

Marketing & Communications (Social media, public relations, content creation)

Administrative & Program Support (Grant writing, Human Resources, data analysis, nonprofit management)

Who Should Apply?

We’re looking for dedicated, service-driven students pursuing degrees in social work, psychology, public health, communications, business administration, or related fields. If you’re passionate about helping others, learning from experts, and growing your career, HAS is the place for you!

Ready to make a difference? Apply now and start your journey with HAS!

Internship Opportunities:

Peer Recovery Support Specialist Trainees.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities and hours will vary based on location:

Case Management

The Case Manager is responsible for the ongoing development of recovery plans of action, accessing community resources, monitoring clinical engagement of treatment and ensuring recovery activities and responsibilities are completed by participants. Reviews assessed case management needs as expressed by participants and as indicated on the participant treatment plan. Assists with monitoring participant engagement and communicates with the treatment team regarding participant attendance, participation, and any barriers or needs to support treatment involvement. Facilitates Orientation with participants to review new participant handbook and tracks all newly admitted participants to ensure orientation is completed within 21 days of admission

Locations Available:

4734 W. Chicago Ave.

2621-5 W. Harrison St., Suite 100

Community Intervention:

The community intervention specialist focuses on participant outreach and crisis response services for all HAS locations. Engages in outreach (mostly via telehealth) to individuals’ no longer in treatment, including no show for admissions, to encourage re-engagement into treatment as well as determine and assist with any needs. Provides crisis response services, mostly through telehealth, to individuals who have left HAS to help resolve crisis situations.

Coordinate with various HAS team members to schedule an individual’s admission process as well as other team members from all HAS locations. Provide participants or family members with information about addiction issues and about available services or programs, making appropriate referrals when necessary.

Locations Available:

4734 W. Chicago Ave.

2755 W. Armitage Ave

2621-5 W. Harrison St., Suite 100

Community Outreach:

Community Outreach workers will directly engage with individuals experiencing substance use problems through street outreach and outreach/engagement services provided on-site at homeless shelters and encampments to ensure connection to substance use and mental health treatment. As part of the community outreach team, the outreach team specialist provides information about treatment options, including medication- assisted recovery (MAR) services available in the community. Communicates daily with HAS Outreach Program Manager or lead.

Develops formal relationships with the area behavioral healthcare providers, hospitals, clinics, and other social service agencies (i.e. DCFS providers, DHS local offices) to establish referral relationships and to effective process.

Locations Available:

4734 W. Chicago Ave.

2755 W. Armitage Ave

2621-5 W. Harrison St., Suite 100

Crisis Services:

The primary responsibility is to engage, guide, and assist individuals in crisis services which is inclusive of pre-initiation, during treatment, and post treatment. The PSS acts as a liaison and coordinates services and resources beyond clinical treatment such as education, employment, healthcare, and social engagement to support services. The individual operating in Crisis Services would need an understanding of different philosophies and approaches to mental illness, substance use treatment, and harm reduction. The Understanding of different philosophies and approaches to mental illness, substance use treatment, and harm reduction. Have the ability to assess and provide support for information and appropriate referrals; internal and external. Provide brief resource and service navigation for participants who may be experiencing homelessness, income insecurity, domestic violence, or other social service needs. Participate in regular outreach activities, including canvassing the community, tabling at community events, and collaborating with other HAS outreach teams. Assess and provide support for information and appropriate referrals; internal and external. Provide brief resource and service navigation for participants who may be experiencing homelessness, income insecurity, domestic violence, or other social service needs. Participate in regular outreach activities, including canvassing the community, tabling at community events, and collaborating with other HAS outreach teams

Locations Available:

1915-17 W. Roosevelt

4734 W. Chicago Ave.

5001-5 W. Fullerton

CADC Intern Trainees

Essential Duties and Responsibilities and hours will vary based on location:

Provides individual and group counseling to participants, which includes presenting educational lectures, leading process groups, formulating and reviewing individualized treatment plans, and maintains progress notes. The Addiction Counselor must be able to communicate effectively with participants and maintain linkage with related organizations. Assists staff in clinical matters and responsibilities. Conducts didactic groups and provides individual counseling. Conducts services off-site, in homes and the community, if applicable. Performs intakes and assessments, as needed. Assists with conducting weekly staffing. Responsible for an assigned caseload, documents including discharge plans and monitor progress and response of participant to treatment. Provide an initial individual orientation for each new participant. Completes assessments of participants substance abuse history, develops treatment plans. Contacts participant’s case worker/referral source within the first week of treatment.

Locations Available:

4534 S. Western Ave. Chicago

4734 W. Chicago Ave. Chicago

1949 N. Humboldt Blvd. Chicago - Bilingual

2755 W. Armitage Ave. Chicago - Bilingual

1915-17 W. Roosevelt Rd. Broadview

1115 N. 23rd Ave Melrose Park-Bilingual

373 S. County Farm Rd.

Mental Health Internships – 1st year or 2nd year placements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities and hours will vary based on location:

(MH) Therapist intern 1st year placement would work in collaboration with the mental health intake team and case management team to performs community outreach & advocacy work with the goal of increasing the visibility & understanding of Perinatal Mood Disorders and Mental Illness, and to promote community treatment options. Identifies and provides referrals for additional services, as needed. Focuses on participant outreach and crisis response services for all HAS locations. Engages in outreach (mostly via telehealth) to individuals’ no longer in treatment, including no show for admissions, to encourage re-engagement into treatment as well as determine and assist with any needs. Provides crisis response services, mostly through telehealth, to individuals who have left HAS to help resolve crisis situations. Coordinate with various HAS team members to schedule an individual’s admission process as well as other team members from all HAS locations. Provide participants or family members with information about mental health or substance use issues and about available services or programs, making appropriate referrals when necessary.

(MH) Therapist intern 2nd year placements would conduct mental health assessments & treatment plans (via the IM+CANS), and provides individual, family, and couples psychotherapy – versed in Trauma, as well as other supportive services – to individuals suffering from a wide range of mental health disorders. 1. Interviews participants with a trauma-informed approach to obtain information concerning social history, treatment and other pertinent information that would be necessary to complete an Integrated Assessment & Treatment Plan (IATP) using the State mandated IM+CANS tool with all new clients. Conducts primarily individual MH therapy sessions, with family and couples therapy sessions being provided, as deemed necessary & appropriate to the client’s treatment protocol. Maintains case files (i.e., clinical documentation) for all clients assigned to caseload, with all files being subject to regular internal quality assurance audits. Engages in regular clinical peer review of cases, particularly those involving the potential risk for self-harm or harm to others (particularly in cases where an infant or child could potentially be at risk). Plan and administer therapeutic treatment, behavior modification, stress management therapy to assist participants in developing/displaying appropriate behaviors. Clinically evaluate patients to detect indications of abnormal physical or mental behavior. Review results of psychological evaluation and community documentation to support participants in best assessing needs.

Locations Available:

4734 W. Chicago Ave.

5001-5 W. Fullerton Ave.

2755 W. Armitage Ave.

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