California State University, Chico

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES                                                   

 

 

                                     INTERNSHIP APPLICATION PACKET

                                                     HCSV 489

                    

  I.        GOAL OF THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

 

            To offer the student a high quality professional experience which complements academic knowledge and skills.  This will be accomplished by utilizing the personnel, programs, and facilities of community organizations as learning laboratories.

 

 II.        MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR INTERNSHIP PLACEMENT SITES AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES

            The internship experience is an integral part of each of the options in the health science major.  It offers the student an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom, to learn to function in a professional setting, and to make professional contacts.

            The required internship placement (HCSV 489) must meet the following two criteria:

 

                 It must take place in an organization that provides the type of services that are the focus of the program option within the Health Science major.

                 The learning objectives and the activities to be accomplished during the internship must relate to the program focus.

 

           If one of both of these requirements are not met in the proposed internship placement, the student may not register for HCSV 489.

 

           The learning objectives and specific activities that interns perform vary widely based on the needs of the internship organization and the skills and interests of the intern.  While they are typical of the duties of an entry level employee, the level of responsibility will depend on the internship supervisor’s assessment of the intern’s skill level and work quality. The following outline describes the guidelines to be used to determine acceptable placements and learning objectives for each option. If the required objectives are not written in the contract and completed, the student will not receive internship credit.

            A.         Gerontology Option

            1.         Organization or Program

a.      Primary focus is to provide health services to elders

      (example: skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities)

b.      Primary focus is to provide social services to elders

      (example: adult day-care center)

c.   Primary focus is advocacy for elders

      (example: nursing home ombudsman)

d.   Primary focus is education for elders

      (example: stroke rehabilitation program)

e.   Primary focus is working with elders and their families

      (example: respite services)


 

2.                  Learning Objectives (must complete at least two of the following)

a.   Help elders and families meet their needs

            b.   Initiate positive change in community setting

            c.   Plan, implement or evaluate programs

            d.   Educate elders, families and agency providers (assess needs, organize, implement, evaluate or coordinate)

            e.   Administer programs (budget, personnel, establish linkages)

B.           Health Education Option

1.                  Organization or Program within an Organization      

a.   primary focus is to provide health education to the general public (example: voluntary health organization)

b.   Primary focus is to provide health education to specific population groups

                  (example: migrant farm worker education program)

            c.   Primary focus is to provide health education to specific individuals (example: diabetes education center)

 

            2.         Learning Objectives:  (All internships must include “d” and “f” and at least two of the remaining objectives below)

a.   Assessing individual and community needs for health education

b.   Planning effective health education programs

c.   Implementing health education programs

d.   Evaluating effectiveness of health education programs

e.   Coordinating provision of health education services

f.    Acting as a resource person in health education

g.   Communicating health and health education needs, concerns, and resources

C.           Health Services Administration Option

1.                  Organization or Department

a.   Provides healthcare services

      (example: hospital, long-term care facility)

b.      Oversees or regulates healthcare services

      (example: government regulatory agency

c.      Pays for health care services

      (example: HMO, PPO)

d.      Other health-related organization

 

2.                  Learning Objectives (must complete at least two of the following)

                                                                         a.      Program planning and implementation

b.   Development and execution of surveys

c.      Analysis and evaluation of programs and services

d.      Other day-to-day programmatic functions, as approved

 




 

III.        POLICY AND PROCEDURES

 

A.      An internship placement, HCSV 489, is a required course for both options of the Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science.  When enrolling in one of the HCSV 489 sections, the student must also concurrently enroll in the Internship Seminar, HCSV 490.  The internship includes a specified number of hours per week in the organization for fifteen (15) consecutive weeks.  All options require 5 unit internships. Students may enroll in up to a maximum of 11 units of internship credit.

 

                                    UNITS                                  HOURS PER WEEK

                                     3                                                         12               

                                     5                                                         20               

                                     8                                                         32               

                                     11                                                       40                

                                   

            B.     The final grade for HCSV 489 is Credit or No Credit based on the following criteria:

 

                    1.     the mid-semester evaluation by supervisor

                    2.     the final evaluation by supervisor

                    3.     all written assignments

                    4.     the student's compliance with required hours and adherence to the Agreement/Work Contract

                    5.     successful completion of HCSV 490

 

            C.    The Process of Finding a Placement

 

                    1.     Discussion regarding the practicum placement should be an ongoing process with the student's advisor and internship coordinator.  During the semester preceding the practicum placement and before contact with an organization, the internship coordinator will discuss with the student his/her personal preferences, strengths and weaknesses concerning the field practicum placement.  The student will make an appointment with the internship coordinator the semester preceding the internship placement.

 

                    2.     Potential internship settings will be identified by the student and the internship coordinator based upon: (a) the resume; (b) an interview with the student; (c) recommendations by faculty members; and, (d) opportunities of the specific setting.

 

                    3.     The student, with the approval of the internship coordinator, will make as many contacts as necessary to establish a suitable placement.  The student will not make any local contacts without prior approval of the advisor or intern coordinator.  The student will do the following:

 

                            a.     make an appointment for an interview

                            b.     provide a copy of your resume at each interview, whether or not one has been requested by the organization

                            c.     dress appropriately

                            d.     arrive early

                            e.     interview: if you feel unsure of presenting yourself or, if you have never been to a professional job interview, you are advised to attend an interview workshop at the Career Placement Center on campus to develop interview skills

                                    The final decision on the internship placement will be made by the organization supervisor, the student, and the internship coordinator.


                    4.      The student and organization supervisor will work together to complete the INTERNSHIP AGREEMENT/WORK CONTRACT (attached).  The completed, typed, and signed contract will be submitted to the internship coordinator at least one week before the placement begins. 

 

                    5.     All meetings between the internship coordinator, the student's organization supervisor, and the student, including on-site visitations, will be made at the discretion of the internship coordinator.  The student or organization supervisor may request a meeting at any time during the placement.

 

                    6.     Get an e-mail account because you are required to submit weekly logs to the faculty internship supervisor.

 

                    7.     IN SUMMARY, the process to be followed is:

 

                            a.     Develop a resume.

 

                            b.     Discuss your internship placement with the internship coordinator.

                                    See the HCSV Home Page for previous internship sites                              

                                    (http://www.csuchico.edu/hcsv).

 

                            c.     With approval from the internship coordinator, the student will contact one or more organizations to request an interview.  The internship coordinator, organization, and student will cooperate on final placement.

 

                            d.     Complete the Internship Agreement/Work Contract with the organization supervisor and submit to the internship coordinator at least one week prior to the placement starting date.

 

                            e.     Pre-register during TRACS for HCSV 489 (Internship) and HCSV 490 (Internship Seminar).

 


INFORMATION FOR AGENCY SUPERVISORS

 

 

 

            A.         FOR WHAT AMOUNT OF TIME IS THE STUDENT AVAILABLE TO YOU?

 

            The amount of time a student spends at the internship site or in meeting responsibilities assigned by the intern supervisor depends on the number of units being completed.

 

                        3 units:  student works 12 hours/week for 15 weeks (180 hours)

           

                        5 units:  student works 20 hours/week for 15 weeks (300 hours)

 

                        8 units:  student works 32 hours/week for 15 weeks (480 hours)

 

                        11 units:  student works 40 hours/week for 15 weeks (600 hours)

 

            B.        IN WHAT ACTIVITIES CAN INTERNS BE INVOLVED?

 

The internship should provide opportunities to engage in a variety of activities ultimately serving as a short apprenticeship allowing interns to determine their “fit” within the organization and providing the organization with a chance to assess the intern’s suitability for a professional position.

 

            The learning objectives for each option are as follows:

 

Gerontology (must complete at least two of the following)

a.   Help elders and families meet their needs

            b.   Initiate positive change in community setting

            c.   Plan, implement or evaluate programs

            d.   Educate elders, families and agency providers (assess needs, organize, implement, evaluate or coordinate)

            e.   Administer programs (budget, personnel, establish linkages)

 

            Health Education (All internships must include “d” and “f” and at least two of the remaining objectives below)

a.   Assessing individual and community needs for health education

b.   Planning effective health education programs

c.   Implementing health education programs

d.   Evaluating effectiveness of health education programs

e.   Coordinating provision of health education services

f.    Acting as a resource person in health education

g.   Communicating health and health education needs, concerns, and resources

 

Health Services Administration (must complete at least two of the following)

a.   Program planning and implementation

b.   Development and execution of surveys

c.   Analysis and evaluation of programs and services

d.   Other day-to-day programmatic functions, as approved

 


            C.        WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SUPERVISOR IN THE INTERNSHIP             EXPERIENCE?

 

                        1.         To guide the intern through a schedule of assigned activities, projects, etc.

                        2.         To complete a contract (typed) with the student specifying the intern’s responsibilities, learning objectives,  major project and work schedule.  BE SURE THAT OBJECTIVES TO BE ACHIEVED BY STUDENTS ARE SPECIFIC AND IN BEHAVIORAL TERMS!

                        3.         To communicate, when necessary, with the University Internship Coordinator.

                        4.         To complete a mid-semester and a final evaluation of the intern and to discuss the evaluation with the intern.

                        5.         To meet weekly with the intern to assess progress toward meeting goals and objectives.

 

            D.        WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND             COMMUNITY SERVICES?

 

                        1.         To assist in the selection and placement of the students.

                        2.         To conduct an on-site visit mid-semester when it is geographically feasible.  The purpose of the visit is to discuss ways to improve student learning and to clarify any concerns on departmental programs, policies, and procedures.

                        3.         To keep informed on student activities and progress via weekly logs submitted by the student to the University Internship Coordinator.

                        4.         To provide student evaluation forms to the supervisor.

                        5.         To meet with interns three times each semester during the internship seminar.

                        6.         To assist students and supervisors in solving problems associated with the internship.

 

            E.         WHAT ARE THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE INTERN?

 

                        1.         To complete all of the required steps in the “Internship Packet.”

                        2.         To meet formally once a week with the internship supervisor to check progress, competency, responsibilities, and to refine learning objectives.

                        3.         To meet at least three times each semester with the University Coordinator to report progress and discuss concerns.

                        4.         To submit weekly logs to the University Coordinator.

                        5.         To attend the internship seminar, HCSV 490, concurrently and complete all requirements.

                        6.         To submit mid-semester and final evaluation forms to the Internship Supervisor and to return the completed forms to the Internship Coordinator.

 

 

 

 

 

For further questions, contact

  Department of Health & Community Services

California State University, Chico

Chico, CA  95929-0505

530-898-6661

hcsv@csuchico.edu


California State University, Chico

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES                                                                        

 

                                       SUGGESTED FORM FOR RESUME

 

A copy of your resume is to be submitted during your internship interview.  This is a general format that the Department of Health and Community Services recommends for majors.  The department also recommends that you attend a resume workshop at the Career Placement Center on campus prior to completing the resume.  (Their suggested form may be different from ours.)

 

                                               NAME (FIRST  MIDDLE INITIAL  LAST)

 

Local Address                                                                                     Permanent Address

Local Telephone                                                                                 Permanent Telephone

 

EDUCATION      

            (Provide in reverse chronological order -- degree, major, date, school, location)

 

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL AND RELATED EXPERIENCES

            (In reverse chronological order include job title, name of institution, organization, etc., and include dates (years only), and a brief description of duties and responsibilities.  Include voluntary experience here.)

 

 

 

OTHER EMPLOYMENT

            (Do the same as above, but include jobs that are not professionally related.)

 

 

 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES

            (List all that apply such as bilingual, computer, journalistic, etc.)

 

 

 

 

 

AWARDS/ACHIEVEMENTS

            (List scholastic, organizations, extracurricular activities, etc.)

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER


California State University, Chico

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES