Appalachian District Health Department
Policy and Procedure Policy Name Health Promotion Policy Topic Health Promotion Internship Program
Section 600
Approved Date: 1-8-08
Chapter 612
Revision Date:
Purpose: To provide guidance for interviewing, accepting, and supervising student interns in the health promotion/health education program. Policy: It is the policy of the Appalachian District that mutually beneficial collaboration between HP/HE should prepare students to enter the workforce while strengthening the role of HP/HE in the community. Procedure: A. Intern Application 1. To be considered for an internship with the Appalachian District Health Department, students must complete an Internship Application Form. 2. Intern Applications must be accompanied by a resume, unofficial transcript, and faculty letter of recommendation. All materials should be submitted at least 8 weeks prior to the proposed internship start date. 3. Interns must be available to work on a pre-approved (by ADHD and faculty advisor) specified project independently or commit to a minimum of 25 hours per week, during agency business hours, 8am to 4:45pm. 4. Interns should be available to work during special events before or after normal working hours as requested. 5. Interns should have academic experience relative to public health promotion, health education, social work, or another related field. B. Intern Selection 1. Interns will be selected for an interview upon submission of the required materials. Interviews will be conducted with a minimum of two staff members present. 2. Interns will be interviewed at a mutually convenient time 3. References should be checked on interns. At least one must be of a professional nature (faculty member or job supervisor). 4. Interns will be selected based on their application materials submitted, reference information, and interview. Those offered an internship will receive notification no later that one week after the interview process. 5. Potential applicants not offered an internship will be notified by phone or letter within one week of interview. C. Internship 1. Prior to beginning internship experience, all interns must complete an Internship Agreement Form and agree to follow all policies/procedures
1|Health Promotion – Health Promotion Internship Program
Appalachian District Health Department
Policy and Procedure Policy Name Health Promotion Policy Topic Health Promotion Internship Program
Section 600
Approved Date: 1-8-08
Chapter 612
Revision Date:
set forth in the Appalachian District Health Department Policy & Procedure Manual. 2. Interns will complete an orientation checklist with the Health Promotion Supervisor or District Health Educator. Interns must sign the checklist acknowledging their understanding of material presented. This checklist will include emergency codes and action steps and policy manual locations. 3. Interns should be provided with a name badge for identification purposes. Name badges should be worn at all times. 4. Interns are expected to complete a timesheet just as a staff member would. They must check in and out with a staff member if they are working in the health department office and not independently. 5. Independent work requires weekly updates through email, with proof of work. 6. Interns must notify staff if they are to be late or miss a day. This is required. Habitual tardiness or absences will result in termination of the internship agreement. See performance evaluation. 7. Interns should have a job description developed and in place within one week of their starting date. They must receive an opportunity to discuss projects assigned with a staff member. 8. Staff members should be available by email or phone if an intern has a question and the staff member is out of the office working in another location. Provision should be made to ensure the intern has a point of contact while staff is on vacation. 9. Staff is expected to be understanding and communicate expectations clearly. Criticism should be provided in a constructive manner. 10. Interns may be asked or wish to travel to complete their assignments. Intern travel must be approved by the Health Promotion Supervisor and be in accordance with travel policies and budget constraints. Interns who choose to travel separately to meetings to leave early will not be reimbursed travel expenses. Additionally, interns will not be required to travel when travel cannot be reimbursed. 11. Regular meetings should be conducted with the intern to ensure he/she is on task and has the opportunity to discuss progress, work achievements, and questions. It is recommended that weekly meetings be conducted.
2|Health Promotion – Health Promotion Internship Program
Appalachian District Health Department
Policy and Procedure Policy Name Health Promotion Policy Topic Health Promotion Internship Program
Section 600
Approved Date: 1-8-08
Chapter 612
Revision Date:
D. Intern Performance Evaluation 1. Interns should be consistently and constantly evaluated based on the duties completed. Constructive criticism should be employed and an intern should be asked to make corrections or changes as necessary. 2. If there is concern about an intern’s overall dependability and/or performance, the intern faculty supervisor should be made aware by telephone or email. 3. Intern performance evaluation forms should be completed based on the format that is required by the academic institution. A copy of the performance evaluation should be given to the student and another copy should be maintained for the intern’s file at ADHD. The original should be forwarded to the appropriate faculty member at the academic institution. 4. Interns who do not demonstrate a commitment to their internship and tasks assigned must be disciplined. Staff members should report concerns about an intern’s overall performance to the Health Promotion Supervisor. This is not the same as giving constructive feedback on a project. 5. The Health Promotion Supervisor will conduct a meeting with the intern to discuss a written warning as indicated and develop a plan for improvement in performance. This meeting should be clearly documented and documentation should be maintained in the intern’s file and shared with faculty advisor. 6. If an intern’s performance does not improve or continues to decline, the Health Promotion Supervisor will meet with the intern individually to discuss the termination of the internship agreement. Immediately afterward, interns should turn in any materials belonging to the agency, notes should be documented, and faculty advisor should be notified. All attempts should be made to continue the internship, but in some cases, this is necessary.
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