Refugee Health Empowerment Intern

BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading, non-sectarian, non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict.Domestically, our 26 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.

IRC-SLC Health Programs promote physical and psychosocial wellbeing by ensuring access to healthcare services and providing culturally appropriate, strength-based, educational programming.

The Refugee Health Empowerment Program will provide individual(s) with an opportunity to gain experience in implementing public health programming by conducting individual health assessments, programmatic data collection and tracking, and following internal and external referral protocols. The individual(s) will provide direct support to the Refugee Health Empowerment Program Coordinator in assessing clients health needs, helping clients to identity their own health goals and supporting clients health plans and access to health care as well as community programs and resources. They will also engage in program development and improvement to support refugee health empowerment initiatives.

SCOPE OF INTERN WORK: The intern will assist in implementing the Refugee Health Empowerment Program (RHEP) by conducting individualized assessments, supporting health promotion classes and groups and facilitating access to health care for newly arrived refugees.

COMMITMENT: 3-4 months starting in August/September 2021, 15-20 hours per week

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate in weekly health program meeting and weekly supervision

• Conduct RHEP Assessments with clients

• Provide support to client’s in identifying their own induvial health goals and plans

• Assist clients in accessing health services, and gaining self-sufficiency in access to health care and other relevant community resources

• Strengthen relationships with partner organizations and identify improved avenues for collaboration to further the improvement in quality of health care for refugees

• Provide transportation and/or public transit orientations to clients

• Support psychosocial support and health/wellness groups as needed

• Other, as assigned and/or determined by the Health Empowerment Coordinator

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. The intern will gain professional experience in public health program implementation

2. The intern will gain a deeper understanding of systems relevant to reporting and understanding programmatic data collection and evaluation

3. The intern will learn skills and knowledge related to refugee health and working with populations from diverse backgrounds