Health Access 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.

The Health Access Program facilitates access to health care for newly resettled refugees while supporting client acute and long-term health needs. The Health Promotion Program is designed to teach newly arrived refugees how to navigate the U.S. Healthcare system while also supporting client’s health needs by developing their knowledge and understanding of the system and overcoming system wide barriers.

SCOPE OF INTERN WORK: With oversight from the Health Access Specialist the position will provide direct support to the Health Access program both virtually and with providing direct service to clients. They will assist with responding to client health needs, care coordination efforts, and helping client’s access health care in the U.S.

COMMITMENT: August 30^th 2021 – December 17^th 2021, 15-20 hours a week, requires both in-person and remote work.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct bus orientations to Primary Care Clinics with Clients (direct service)

• Provide transportation to/from medical and health appointments for Clients (direct service)

• Deliver prescriptions to Clients and support medication management and adherence as necessary (direct service)

• Schedule and Coordinate medical and health appointments for clients (virtually)

• Schedule and Coordinate Access to Lyft rides for client medical appointments (virtually)

• Assist clients in ensuring medical bills have been billed to Medicaid (virtually)

• Assist with conducting Health Intakes with new arrivals (virtually)

• Attend organizational meetings (virtually)

• Case Note/Document Client services in various databases (virtually)

• Support overall functioning of Health Program, projects and initiatives (virtually)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. The intern will gain professional experience in medical case management and care coordination efforts.

2. The intern will deepen understanding of the refugee resettlement process, refugee health topics, the social determinants of health and the public health significance.

3. The intern will gain experience with navigating the U.S. Health Care System and the Medicaid Health Insurance System.

4. The intern will gain direct experience with working with people from different background than their own and will develop inter-personal and professional development skills.