Patient and Community Outreach Internship – Bronx County – LLS Metro NY Region
Patient and Community Outreach Internship – Bronx County – LLS Metro NY Region
Why LLS:
How many people can answer the question, "What do you do for a living?" with the answer, "I help find cures for cancer." At LLS, employees take our mission seriously. Whether you work in one of our local regions, are an accountant at the national office or a specialist in our Information Resource Center, you work each day on making our mission a reality: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Join us and gain the opportunity to do meaningful work with collaborative colleagues.
Overview:
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is seeking an energetic, personable, and detail-oriented intern to assist in the area of Patient and Community Outreach. As the leading source of free blood cancer information, education and support for patients, survivors, families and healthcare professionals, LLS helps patients navigate their cancer treatment and ensures they have access to quality, affordable and coordinated care. Research will help us achieve an end to cancer. In the meantime, patients need help before, during and after their diagnosis and treatment.
LLS is the leading nonprofit that does just that and this position will implement strategies in support of our goals including: connecting more patients with LLS, providing ongoing support, offering educational resources, directing patients to quality care, and building stronger relationships with healthcare providers and community members.
LLS also strives to tackle healthcare disparities, including in regards to those related to blood cancer. Myeloma Link is an education and outreach program that directly connects Black patients and caregivers to trusted, free blood cancer information and support and enhances access to care to:
Ø Raise awareness among Black Americans about the disparities in myeloma incidence and treatment, signs and symptoms of the disease, and the resources that LLS offers;
Ø Provide information and resources that will equip Black American myeloma patients with the knowledge and tools needed to seek novel, state of the art treatments, including clinical trials, in a timely manner.
The person(s) in this position will play a key role in supporting the work of the Patient and Community Outreach Managers of the Metro NY Region of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; this includes supporting the growth and implementation of the work within the Myeloma Link Initiative.
While this position will be based remotely, there will be an expectation to travel throughout Bronx County for outreach and tabling purposes (e.g. health fairs, drop offs at medical centers, community events). The person(s) in this role will gain experience interacting with and supporting those impacted by blood cancer and the healthcare providers that treat them, as well as the various administrative aspects required for success.
The Patient and Community Outreach internship is an ideal opportunity for a candidate interested in pursuing a career in non-profit management, community outreach, healthcare education, volunteer management, public health, human services (or other similar fields) while making a difference in the lives of people affected by blood cancers. Selected interns will gain valuable experience in building interpersonal skills, database and volunteer management, patient advocacy, community relations and educational event planning.
Students currently enrolled towards a degree in the following areas are strongly encouraged to apply**: Public Relations/Health, Healthcare, Communications, Public Administration, Human Behavior, Sociology, Psychology, or other related areas of study.
**We are unable to accept Social Work students due to the specific supervision requirements needed.
Position: Patient and Community Outreach (PCO) Intern
Dates: LLS Metro NY can accept interns throughout the year
*dates/times may be flexible upon offer and acceptance
Time Commitment: Minimum commitment of 12 hours, 2-3 days/week
Compensation: Unpaid internship; may be eligible for college/class credit
Responsibilities:
- Welcome newly diagnosed patients and their family members to LLS and provide them with local chapter resources.
- Assist with the planning, marketing, implementation and follow-up for educational events and other patient support opportunities.
- Prepare and mail patient information packets to individuals in need.
- Connect with local healthcare professionals to update and maintain local hospital/clinic resource libraries with LLS materials.
- Develop the volunteer capacity for Myeloma Link.
- Propose strategies to identify stakeholders and build coalition & partnerships for influencing public health outcomes within Bronx County.
- Engage in nontraditional methods of healthcare outreach, including activities at Places of Worship, food pantries, community events, barber shops, and more! Increased community partners in Bronx County who are willing to share LLS information with their constituents and collaborate with LLS staff. Potential partners could include church leadership, health ministries, community organizations, local chapters of national advocacy or other organizations, Federally Qualified Health Center staff, nonprofit and health organizations serving needs of target communities, political figures with role in community health, etc.
- Support the development of marketing & educational strategies to raise awareness in Bronx County of LLS services. Examples could include enhanced flyers, social media posts, podcast episodes, and/or a video/visual presentation (prezi) advertising LLS programs and services, and relevant blood cancer content, that can used for outreach (e.g. church “Ministry Moments”; public notices; education to community members or healthcare providers).
- Support the creation of a system that can help track impact of outreach and engagement activities, including in regards to communication strategies (e.g. social media).
- Represent LLS at health fairs or other community health events to spread the LLS mission and services to the public.
- Support campaign staff and participate in region events as needed (such as Light The Night Walks, Visionaries of the Year Gala, etc.).
- Complete a pre-decided upon project throughout the length of the internship. Topic/content of the project will be mutually beneficial to student and LLS.
- Performing other related duties as assigned by Manager of Patient and Community Outreach.
Qualifications:
- High-level of professionalism
- Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred
- Embraces diversity, strives to create engaging and mutually supportive relationships
- High level of empathy, compassion and active listening skills
- Strong verbal and written skills
- Attention to detail and highly organized
- Ability to create a plan, execute, and meet deadlines
- High degree of flexibility and ability to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities
- Strong work ethic and ability to work independently, as well as a part of a team
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel
- Experience working in community-based outreach and/or healthcare setting a plus
- Maintains a working knowledge of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's mission, campaigns and other programs of the Society
Application and Screening:
Patient and Community Outreach Manager will review application and set up an interview with applicant to determine if the position is a good fit for both the intern and the organization. Background check and references may be requested at the discretion of LLS.