What are the responsibilities and job description for the Summer 2025: Health Navigation Intern *Unpaid position at International Rescue Committee?
IRC BACKGROUND: Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading organization providing relief, protection, and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression throughout the U.S. IRC in San Diego has resettled over 31,000 refugees to San Diego County over the past 50 years and provides numerous program services. In San Diego, the IRC opened its doors in 1975 and has grown to serve approximately 7,000 refugee and immigrant individuals from 115 countries of origin each year through 5 different departments.
SCOPE OF HEALTH NAVIGATION PROGRAM INTERN WORK: In this internship, students will have the opportunity to contribute to the Health Navigation program through direct client support services.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Based on intern skills and experience, responsibilities may include a combination of program support, administrative/data support, and direct service:
Support health navigation for Haitian and Cuban entrants
Drive and accompany clients to appointments such as refugee health assessments, health check-ups, etc
Accompany clients on bus/metro trips to help them learn routes on the San Diego public transit system
Conduct outreach, including development of materials and presentations
Network for and develop community partnerships and collaborations
Contribute to monitoring and evaluation of Safety & Wellness Department
Conducting screening calls for potential clients, working with interpreters and determining eligibility for the program
Assist with clients' public benefit and insurance enrollment
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Interns will gain exposure to health navigation for newly arrived populations
Interns will learn about the local healthcare system and Medi-Cal enrollment process
Interns will expand their experience providing culturally humble services and resources
Interns will gain familiarity in cross-cultural communication
REQUIREMENTS:
Education: Must be currently enrolled in an Associate's, Bachelor's or Master's program focused on social work, women's/gender studies, public health, business, communication, economics, finance, public policy, public administration, social sciences or a related field.
Work Experience (Preferred): Prior experience in case work, working with clients with a variety of immigration statuses, familiarity with refugee and asylee populations helpful, but not required. Demonstrated success working and communicating with people of varied English-speaking abilities strongly preferred.
Demonstrated Skills and Competencies: Strong communication and interpersonal skills, desire to learn and contribute, excellent organization and time-management skills, proactive, motivated, and flexible; ability to take direction (written and oral) and to complete tasks independently
Language Skills: Fluent in written and spoken English. Proficiency in Haitian Creole, Spanish or French preferred.
Certificates or Licenses: Current driver license and insurance required.
Transportation: access to a vehicle and willingness to drive clients to appointments preferred.
This position reports to the Casework Supervisor.
Compensation: This is an unpaid internship opportunity.
Working Environment:
The Health Navigation Internship is majority in-person, and remote as needed.
San Diego Office hours are scheduled Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm PST. Selected interns can choose their hours based on this window of availability.
