Health Promotion Intern

SCOPE OF WORK: IRC NJ's Health and Wellness team supports newcomers as they learn to navigate the U.S. health care system. We recognize that clients are the experts on their own lives, experiences, and beliefs. The Health and Wellness team uses client expertise to guide, encourage, and empower clients as they interact with various health systems. We teach clients how to set up appointments, find specialists, apply for health insurance, request interpretation, and access emotional support services, among many other skills and needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Health Promotion Interns will assist IRC NJ clients with a variety of support services, such as Medicaid/New Jersey Family Care follow up, appointment accompaniment, transportation orientations, supported health referrals, and developing health resources for IRC NJ clients. Health Promotion Interns will also provide other direct services to health and wellness clients as needed.

• Assist the Health and Wellness team in organizing and running regular meetings for clients, such as walk-in hours, health education sessions, and other group activities.
• Assist clients with Medicaid/New Jersey Family Care follow-up, including application and documentation submission, advocating for and with clients on NJFC hotline, and updating client information with NJFC.
• Facilitate health and wellness transportation orientations to empower clients to use public transit or other transportation options to attend medical appointments.
• Accompany clients to appointments to facilitate check-in, presumptive eligibility Medicaid coverage, and confirm interpretation services.
• Under the supervision of the Health and Wellness Supervisor, assess and monitor client needs and make appropriate community referrals.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. The student will learn about refugee and immigrant communities in NJ, with a key focus on IRC clients' physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.

2. The student will learn how to effectively navigate health systems that IRC NJ clients frequently use.

3. The student will develop outreach and advocacy skills.

REQUIREMENTS:

* Currently pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in public health, social work, or related field.

* Available at least 15 hours/week, minimum of 7.5 hours in-person.

* Experience working with diverse populations, ideally in the context of health and wellness.

* Experience working with refugee and/or immigrant populations is highly desirable.

* Fluency in Spanish, Haitian Creole, Arabic, Dari, or Pashto is preferred.

* Willingness to travel in Northern and Central NJ to meet with clients.

* Solid computer skills, including email, Microsoft Office, Box, among others.