BACKGROUND:

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading, non-sectarian, nonprofit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. Domestically, our 28 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.

SCOPE OF VOLUNTEER WORK:

With oversight from the Health Access program, the Health Intern will provide direct support to the program. They will assist with responding to client health needs, care coordination efforts as well as the development of Health Access program by creating partnerships with service providers within the local community.

COMMITMENT: 15 hours/week minimum for 3 months, January 13th – April 25th

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate and track the medical appointments, transportation and interpreter needs for assigned clients, utilizing interdepartmental and system-wide databases.

• Assist clients with transportation for medical appointments as necessary.

• Advocate for client’s needs when accompanying them to medical appointments.

• Provide bus orientations and teach clients how to use Google Maps so that they can access clinics and pharmacies via public transportation.

• Assist with conducting Health intakes with new arrivals.

• Assist clients in ensuring medical bills have been billed to Medicaid.

• Support overall functioning of health program, projects and initiatives.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

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

 2. The intern will deepen understanding of 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 Healthcare 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 advocacy skills.