Orientation prepares interns for work at the University of San Diego Counseling Center by addressing the following training needs:
- To become familiar with the roles of MHBH staff, establish professional relationships with MHBH staff, and become a member of the Counseling Center team.
- The need to build relationships with members of the intern group
- The need to learn about and adjust to the USD campus community
- The need to know campus resources
- The need to learn didactic information and skills relevant to employment as a professional psychologist.
Didactic seminars, meetings, and administrative time set aside for adjustment prepare interns for their learning experience. Thus, orientation enhances interns’ ability to perform their duties and meet internship requirements.
A series of meetings teach interns about the internship structure and the internal workings of the USDCC and the internship program. Interns are fully informed of their rights and responsibilities. USDCC policies and procedures are discussed, and interns are directed to written copies of relevant documents on the USDCC shared drive. Interns are instructed in the use of our Electronic Health Records system, as well as guidelines for its ethical use. We also provide instruction on the testing instruments used as part of our intake and clinical services, including the AUDIT, CCAPS, and the CUDIT.
Interns are also introduced to members of the campus community in a series of campus tours designed to provide a thorough knowledge of campus resources and to assist interns in making connections that will be useful to them. Interns tour various offices and meet with other Wellness staff and campus partners. In addition, the USDCC staff as a whole usually has a beginning-of-the-year kick-off meeting with the staff of the University Ministry.
Ample time is allowed for the intern group to bond with one another and with staff, complete assigned readings, decorate offices, and set up schedules.
A few didactic seminars take place during orientation month. These seminars prioritize information deemed most necessary for interns to successfully begin professional duties at the USDCC.
Though seminar topics generally remain consistent, they may be revised according to emerging staffing, clinical, or training needs.