Special Needs Health Intern

Description

This is an unpaid internship.

The International Rescue Committee of Baltimore is a non-profit, non-sectarian refugee resettlement agency dedicated to working together with legally admitted refugees to assist them in rebuilding lives and reuniting families in the greater Baltimore area. A committed staff of professionals and volunteers provide essential resettlement services to refugee families including basic necessities, education, employment, social services and advocacy.

PURPOSE: Refugees and asylees arrive with a wide range of health concerns including malnutrition, TB, parasitic infections, HIV/AIDS, and mental illness.  Upon arrival to the United States, they face a new set of challenges to effectively navigate the US healthcare system and access important community health resources.  Additionally, the stress of a new environment often exacerbates certain health conditions.  The IRC is committed to developing a public health program with the overall goal of maximizing public health awareness, access, and advocacy for all refugee and asylee clients of the BRC.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide support to the Special Needs Care Coordinator with providing consistent and follow-up care for medically vulnerable clients (i.e. serve as a patient advocate, accompany clients to medical appointments, report follow-up care and referrals from providers) 
• Assist clients to find health resources which best meet their needs
• Reinforce clients’ understanding of treatment instructions, medical service plan, and follow-up care
• Create and/or adapt culturally appropriate health education and resource guides

·         Research and identify potential partnerships with local health resources and services

·         Assist with developing and coordinating trainings for staff and volunteers

• Other duties, research and special projects as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Interest and experience in public health and displaced/immigrant populations
• Education and/or experience in public health, international development, social work, health administration, or nursing
• Effective interpersonal, organizational, and writing skills
• Creativity and initiative to follow through on projects
• Interest and flexibility in working in a fast-paced, multi-cultural setting
• High level of professionalism with attention to detail
• Proficiency in Nepali, Arabic, Amharic, or French desirable
• Position open immediately, minimum commitment until May 2011; Applicants interested in multiple semester internships are highly preferred

TIME COMMITMENT: 15-40 hours per week, during business hours, Mondays through Fridays, between 10:00am-5:00pm (in the Fall and Spring).  Summer interns are required to intern at least 25 hours or more per week.

Reports to:          Program Manager-Health

Position:               Unpaid Internship

Updated:             3/19/12

Please apply using our online system.  You can also prioritize your application by sending your resume, cover letter, and contact info for 2 references directly to kafiya.ismail@rescue.org with the following information listed in the cover letter:

-internship(s) for which you wish to be considered (please provide a ranking of desired internships if you wish to be considered for multiple opportunities) 

-projected start/end date (noting that we have a 3-month minimum for our internships)

-days and number of hours of availability during the work week (for example: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9am-5pm)

-whether or not you would have access to a car in which you would be willing to drive with the refugees and asylees we serve to access social services

We look forward to reviewing your application!

IRC leading the way from harm to home. 

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
 IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.