The Community Health Practicum

In accordance with its commitment to train the next generation of health professionals in providing high quality, family-oriented care to people in underserved communities, The Institute for Family Health has established the Community Health Practicum (CHP).

This program is designed for recent college graduates interested in gaining clinical hands-on experience while exploring career paths in healthcare.

At the Institute for Family Health, CHP members will engage in a variety of projects that promote access to health care and health information in medically underserved communities while gaining experience and participating in professional development and training.

About the Program

Personal and Professional Development

  • The Community Health Practicum provides professional development to people interested in pursuing a health or social services career in underserved communities by placing them in roles that require direct and meaningful patient contact.
  • CHP members are assigned supervisors who will foster a mentorship with participants by offering constructive feedback on the participant’s current work as well as guidance regarding future career goals.
  • Participants will be trained in topics critical to their roles. Examples include motivational interviewing, health literacy, group facilitation, and use of electronic medical records.
  • The program will provide opportunities for participants to explore careers of interest. This could include guest speakers from various departments, or shadowing staff in various roles.
  • CHP members will be exposed to patient-centered care, health disparities, and advocacy with the goal of developing leaders in the field of health and social services for underserved communities.

Service

  • Participants play a key role in providing critical support for essential programs and services to medically underserved populations served at the Institute.
  • CHP members deliver health education, outreach and facilitate group medical visits, and contribute to quality improvement measures.

Benefits

As a Community Health Practicum participant, you are expected to work 3 days a week for an eleven-month term, from September through July. As a member, you are eligible to receive the following benefits:

  • Compensation of $11/hour
  • Health insurance coverage available through the Institute for Family Health (if needed)
  • Extensive opportunities for professional development and networking

Minimum Requirements

Our program is very competitive and we receive many applications for similar positions each year. The following are the minimum requirements for consideration:

  • You must be at least 18 years of age
  • You must be a United States citizen, United States national, or lawful permanent resident
  • You must have a college degree
  • You must have a respect for and interest in working in medically underserved communities
  • You must commit to completing the entire CHP program (3 days a week, September through mid-July)

Typical Positions

The following positions are usually available but are subject to change.

  • Developing educational interventions and coordinating groups for patients with diabetes or at risk of diabetes as a Diabetes Education and Prevention Coach in Manhattan, the Bronx, Kingston, or New Paltz NY.
  • Working as a Prenatal/Postpartum Coordinator coordinating CenteringPregnancy or CenteringParenting prenatal and postpartum care groups and offering prenatal health education and care navigation services in Manhattan, the Bronx, or Kingston NY.
  • Assisting high risk patients in identifying behavior change goals and accessing services as a Health Risk Management Coach in Kingston, NY.
  • Working as an Adolescent Health Educator for students in two school based health centers in Manhattan.
  • Enrolling patients in services and providing access to care as a Homeless Sites Case Manager in Manhattan.