Internships
Eligibility
Internship opportunities are available for students majoring or interested in fields such as (but not limited to): Public Health, Health Promotion & Management, Health Administration, Communications, Exercise Science, Data Management, Education, Sociology, Biology, Nursing, Medicine, Public Policy, or Spanish.
Areas of Focus
Our goal for the SHDHD intern training program is for students to gain a foundation and basic knowledge of Public Health. Students will also gain understanding of the functions and services that are offered by SHDHD. Internship opportunities may include but are not limited to activities and projects in the following areas:
Health/Wellness Education
Interns will work closely with the Wellness Coordinator to develop, implement, and evaluate programs that promote healthy lifestyles among the residents in the four-county District. Topics could include: worksite wellness, Scrubby Bear, physical activity, healthy eating, distracted driving, fall prevention, substance abuse, mental health and more… and could target a range of ages from elementary children to older adults. Potential projects may include developing physical activity or nutrition programs, health education presentations or health promotion videos, health literacy projects, brochures or other resources, or program evaluation tools and surveys. Public Health Environmental Risk and Emergency Preparedness Interns will work closely with the Public Health Risk Coordinator on public health emergency preparedness and environmental risk activities. Potential projects may include preparing risk communication kits, assisting with emergency exercise planning and implementation, assisting with environmental risk projects involving smoke-free environments; radon, lead, and water safety; and developing public education programs in the areas environmental risk and emergency preparedness.
Chronic Disease Prevention (Prevention Connection Program)
Interns will work closely with the Chronic Disease Prevention or Wellness Coordinator on strategies to prevent hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity and focusing on health care settings or community settings. Potential projects may include working with SHDHD team and pharmacists on blood pressure education, helping identify and promote community physical activity venues in target communities, or assisting in implementing healthy grocery/convenience store and vending policies.
Disease Control & Prevention and Health Surveillance
Interns will work closely with the Surveillance Coordinator or the Immunization Clinic Coordinator on disease prevention with Vaccine for Children program, or surveillance and reporting for hospital influenza-like illness admissions and school surveillance programs. Potential projects may include working with or preparing health literate disease fact sheets, developing public education disease programs, developing and conducting surveys, and data management and statistical analyses.
Cancer Prevention
Interns will work closely with the Every Woman Matters Coordinator and the South Heartland Cancer Coalition on prevention activities for breast, prostate, colon, lung, cervical or skin cancer. Potential projects may include developing health literate educational videos, presentations, or other educational materials to promote cancer screening; or assisting with planning and delivery of cancer screening events.
Minority Health Education & Outreach
Interns will work closely with a Community Health Worker or Minority Health Educator on writing and designing educational programs and tools directly targeting ethnic minority populations (Hispanic, Asian). Projects may include developing informational resources and health education presentations to provide to minority populations.
Accounting or Business Administration; Policies and Planning
Interns will work with the Finance and Operations Manager or the Standards and Performance Manager to learn about public sector business and accounting practices and/or performance management systems. Intern projects might involve data and information management, quality improvement or performance improvement, or policy and plan development and implementation.
In Addition
All intern positions will also have opportunities to work with and/or observe the Executive Director, Standards and Performance Manager, and other staff in order to gain knowledge about various SHDHD programs/activities.
Expectations
Students are expected to follow conditions of employment at SHDHD and meet expectations placed on them during the orientation, where intern and supervisor will develop a work plan. This work plan will include the project descriptions and expectations, hours on project, and a timeline to meet established benchmarks of the project(s).
Work Schedule
Work schedules will be determined by the Executive Director and the student. Minimum hour requirements will be determined based on number of credit hours expected.
Compensation
Internships offered by SHDHD are unpaid. We will work with the student and his/her school to assist the individual in receiving college credit. Internships may be arranged for 1 or more semesters. SHDHD offers many opportunities to increase your knowledge of public health as well as foster personal development. This will not only benefit your growth at our department but will provide an opportunity to build skills that will impact your future career opportunities.
Application
If interested, please complete an application.