Healthcare & Benefits Navigation Intern (Unpaid)

The Healthcare & Benefits Navigation Intern supports screening and enrollment activities for public benefit programs, assists clients with appointments, and helps develop educational materials to aid client access to benefits. This unpaid internship offers experience in refugee resettlement services and public benefits navigation in New York City.

Responsibilities

• Support screening and enrollment activities for benefit programs such as Medicaid, NYC Care, SNAP, WIC, FairFares, Child Care Vouchers, IDNYC, etc.
• Accompany clients to related public benefits appointments as needed for support.
• Sort and review public benefits related mail; contact clients to share relevant updates.
• Assist in scheduling client medical and dental appointments as needed.
• Develop relevant educational materials to support client access, knowledge and navigation of public benefits systems; deliver workshops to clients as needed.
• Collaborate with other Health & Wellness Department interns on the development/updating of a Community Resources Guide through desk review and outreach activities.
• Keep thorough and accurate case file documentation in Program folders and related excel spreadsheets.
• Keep all digital files up to date and create new digital client files as needed.
• Adhere to IRC policies, particularly those related to confidentiality and client privacy.
• Display sensitivity to cultural and personality differences of clients.
• Respect their beliefs and values.
• Provide translation and interpretation when necessary.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Interns must be based in US and must be enrolled in post-secondary institution or have graduated from a post-secondary institution within the last 2 years.
• Undergraduate level studies in social sciences, international relations or a related field.
• Languages desired but not required: Haitian Creole, Arabic, Spanish, French and Russian.
• Strong desire to help refugees and other migrant communities rebuild their lives in New York.
• Ability to work independently, exercise good judgement, and have high attention to detail.
• Competency in Microsoft Office, data tracking, and file management.
• Effective communication skills.
• Demonstrates ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Patience, understanding, flexibility, and an unceasingly positive attitude.
• Willing to learn about IRC history, philosophy, global work, and local efforts.
• Willing to adhere to IRC volunteer and workplace policies.

Skills

• Public Benefits Navigation
• Customer Screening
• Appointment Coordination
• Educational Material Development
• Data Tracking
• File Management
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Adaptability in Multicultural Environment
• Effective Communication
• Independent Work
• Attention to Detail
• Refugee Resettlement

Languages

English