Health Access 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 Access 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 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. 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.

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: 15-20 weeks starting in January 2022, 10-15 hours per 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).

• Other duties as assigned.

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.