Post-Graduate Behavioral Health Fellowship Program
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Thank you for your interest in our exciting Post-Graduate Behavioral Health Fellowship Program!
The Post-Graduate Behavioral Health Fellowship at Unity Health Care offers a unique opportunity to extend your clinical Social Work experience with hands-on training supporting the behavioral health needs of adults, children, adolescents, families, and more through the largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in the Nation’s Capital.
Our program is grounded in foundational principles of Social Work while providing clinical support via an Integrated Behavioral Health model to diverse, underserved populations in a community health-based setting. We aim to increase access and improve health equity by providing high-quality, culturally competent behavioral health services to our surrounding communities.
The two-year (24-month) program provides Licensed Graduate Social Workers with free clinical and general supervision to meet the requirements for independent clinical licensure in the District of Columbia. (Depending on local regulations, these requirements may also be reciprocal when applying for licensing in other states.)
Fellows will receive guidance and mentorship around career identity, direct practice in a clinical community-based healthcare setting, and didactics focused on clinical social work and mental health. Additionally, fellows will join the Behavioral Health team in operating on a hybrid model of remote and on-site care and will have access to unique specialty training opportunities, including substance use disorder treatment and care in correctional facilities, during their second year.
Fellows will have a dedicated clinical and training location within the Unity Health Care system and receive a competitive full-time employee salary and benefits as they work alongside more than 920 compassionate, multicultural, multilingual professionals from both primary care and specialty service fields.
Following completion of this fellowship, there is a 2-year work commitment with Unity Health Care.
This fellowship is generously supported by a grant from the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation.
Fellowship Program Requirements
What are the program requirements?
Eligible applicants have completed a Master of Social Work from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the Licensed Graduate Social Work (LGSW) licensing requirements for the District of Columbia, and criminal background checks by the start of training program for the year in which you are applying.
- Two academic years or more of supervised direct service, typically received during field placements/clinical internships is required (Work experience will be considered).
- At least one year of clinical experience with a mental health focus is required.
- Applicants should demonstrate an interest in providing behavioral health services in underserved communities with diverse populations.
- Preference for candidates with training in multiple modalities of psychotherapy interventions including Integrated Behavioral Health and previous direct clinical experience.
- The program is seeking candidates from diverse backgrounds reflecting the communities they serve.
- Applicants should possess a strong desire to provide clinical behavioral health services to promote our mission of reaching people wherever they are to provide compassionate, comprehensive, high-quality health care that is accessible to all and advances health equity in Washington, D.C.
Application Materials
- Transcript from CSWE accredited MSW program
- Copy of social work license (LGSW) from District of Columbia
- Resume and/or CV
- Three letters of recommendation (Personal, professional/Clinical, and educational)
- 1-2-page essay describing your current experience working in underserved communities with diverse populations providing clinical behavioral health services, how this program will support your journey in social work, and what you would like to gain from this experience
- Completed clinical case example
- Identify preferred specialty track (second year)
Proposed Specialty Tracks for Second Year
Case Example:
MB is a 59-year-old adult female whose last medical visit with her Primary Care Physician (PCP) was in 2020. She has uncontrolled diabetes and high blood pressure. At her visit today, she reported struggling with "feeling down" most days. She specifically reported a sad and depressed mood, eating and sleeping less, difficulty concentrating, and isolating herself from friends and family. Her PCP has requested that you provide a brief 20-minute mental health consultation with the patient.
- How would you engage this patient and/or prioritize this patient's concerns during this brief 20-minute visit?
- Please describe the steps you would take to support the patient as well as any interventions and future treatment plans (if needed).
Application materials should be submitted to: