BACKGROUND: International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in more than 40 countries and over 20 U.S. cities, the IRC provides resettlement, education and empowerment support to refugees and displaced people.

SCOPE OF WORK (INTERN): 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, access emotional support services, among many other skills and needs. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: Health and Wellness 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 and Wellness Interns will also provide other direct services to health and wellness clients as needed. 

·      Assist clients with Medicaid/New Jersey Family Care follow-up, which includes but is not limited to application submission, documentation submission and confirmation, advocate for and with clients on NJFC hotline, and updating contact information.

·      Facilitate health and wellness transportation orientations to empower clients to use public transportation or other transportation options to attend medical appointments. 

·      Accompany clients to appointments to facilitate check-in, presumptive eligibility Medicaid coverage (if needed), and confirm interpretation services for client. 

·      Under the supervision of the Health and Wellness Coordinator, assess and monitor client needs and make appropriate referrals.

·      Assist the health and wellness team with monthly community meetings for clients, such as health and wellness walk-in hours and small groups.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1.     The student will learn about refugee resettlement issues and processes as they relate to client’s physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. 

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

3.     The student will develop outreach and advocacy skills.