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Spring 2025: Health Navigation Intern (Unpaid)

San Diego CA

  • Organization: IRC - International Rescue Committee
  • Location: San Diego CA
  • Grade: Internship - Internship
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Public Health and Health Service
  • Closing Date:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

*Please note: this is an unpaid internship*

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 48 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 OFHEALTH 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.


Minimum Qualifications:

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 sciencesor 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.

This position reports to the Casework Supervisor.

Compensation: This is an unpaid internship opportunity.

Working Environment:

  • The Health Navigator Internship is in-person at the San Diego office.

  • Hours Required Per Week: 20-25 hours

  • The San Diego office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM PST. Selected interns for the Health Navigator Internship can choose their working hours within this timeframe, Tuesday through Thursday.


Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.
We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.