Health & Wellness Intern (Unpaid)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster.

Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.

S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions.

If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

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.

Minimum Qualifications :

REQUIREMENTS :

• Currently pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in public health, social work, or related field.
• Available 15 - 20 hours each week, 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 a second language is preferred (e.g., Arabic, Dari, French, Haitian Creole, Kiswahili, Pashto, or Spanish)
• Solid computer skills, including email, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Teams, among other
• Strong research skills.
• Willingness to travel in Northern and Central NJ to meet with clients.

IRC leading the way From Harm to Home

Standard of Professional Conduct : The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - our Code of Conduct.

These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion : The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect.

The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting.

We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.