Refugee Health Empowerment Intern

Please note: This is an unpaid internship position. No financial compensation, including compensation for relocation, is available.

In addition to completing this application, interested applicants should email a resume, cover letter, and two letters of recommendation to VolunteerSLC@Rescue.org with “Health Empowerment Intern” in the subject line.

BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading nonsectarian, voluntary organization providing relief, protection and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. In the U.S., the IRC resettles approximately 11,000 refugees per year and provides numerous program services to assist the refugee from their arrival through citizenship. The IRC in Salt Lake City opened it office in 1994, and provides resettlement services through extended case management to newly arrived refugees for up to 24-months as well as over twenty different programs to educate and empower refugees.

SCOPE OF INTERN WORK: The IRC in Salt Lake City 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 internship 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.

The IRC SLC office is partially reopened. Intern should be available to work one day per week in the office as well as remotely. Must be able to work independently and be flexible to a changing work environment.

COMMITMENT: 10-12 weeks starting in January 2022, 10-15 hours per week, requires both in-person and remote work.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Participate in weekly health program meeting and weekly supervision.

• Conduct RHEP Assessments with clients.

• Teach Health Promotion Classes to clients.

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

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

• Provide transportation and/or public transit orientations to clients.

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

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. The intern will expand experience communicating, educating, and working with diverse populations.

2. The intern will gain hands on understanding of the U.S. healthcare system as accessed by immigrants in the community, including provide adult education opportunities for refugee community members.

3. The intern will improve professional skills, working as a team member in a cross-cultural environment.