Public Health Practicum Internship

Department: Public Health
Supervisor: Senior Public Health Policy Analyst

Basic Function: This position is a fixed term TMA Public Health Practicum Internship. The position was created to assist with implementation of TMA’s Vaccines Defend What Matters local impact grants campaign and the Texas Public Health Coalition’s Distinguished Speaker Series.

This internship is designed to support a half time (20 hours a week) student currently enrolled in a Master of Public Health, Health Promotion, Health Communication, Community Health, or equivalent program.

Under the supervision of the senior public health policy analyst who oversees the Vaccines Defend What Matters program, the practicum intern will be responsible for promoting, managing, and tracking the local health impact grants; reviewing and curating vaccination resources for physicians and the public; and identifying potential vaccine promotional opportunities. The position will develop progress reports of program accomplishments for the Texas Medical Association Foundation and associated TMA councils and committees. Additionally, the practicum intern may help with creation of infectious disease and vaccine-related resources during the 90th Texas Legislative Session.

Under the supervision of the senior public health policy analyst who coordinates the Texas Public Health Coalition, the practicum intern will be responsible for planning and coordinating the Distinguished Speaker Series to provide a platform for public health experts in collaboration with coalition partners; assist with event logistics and developing promotional materials; and identify and invite panelists and speakers. The position will develop an informational factsheet related to the topic(s) being covered in the series and/or related to the coalition’s legislative priority issues.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES/TASKS
Vaccines Defend What Matters
1. Promote availability of the Vaccines Defend What Matters Grant Program to local organizations through social media and other targeted communication efforts.
2. Network with grantees and identify physician champions to spotlight.
3. Provide day-to-day management and tracking of grantee progress and draft a mid-year report highlighting notable grantee achievements and progress towards identified goals.
4. Identify novel opportunities to expand pro-vaccine messaging and ways to maximize impact of communication efforts.
5. Make sure TMA webpages and other informational channels have up-to-date vaccine information.
6. Assist staff with Committee on Infectious Diseases vaccine priorities as necessary.
7. Assist with creation of infectious disease and vaccine resources during the 90th Texas Legislative Session.
8. Perform other related duties as necessary.

Texas Public Health Coalition Distinguished Speaker Series
1. Promote the Distinguished Speaker Series through targeted communication efforts.
2. Network with Texas Public Health Coalition members to identify potential panelists and speakers.
3. Provide day-to-day management of speaker series logistics and content coordination across stakeholders.
4. Develop informational factsheet related to the topic(s) covered during the speaker series events.
5. Develop meeting notes for coalition members during full coalition meetings.
6. Provide research assistance when developing legislative one-pagers.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

None

INDEPENDENCE/SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Position will work closely with the staff from the Department of Public Health.

GENERAL QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge and Experience

Requires current enrollment in a Masters program in Public Health, Health Promotion, Health Communication, Community Health, or equivalent program.

Skills and Abilities

Flexibility, teamwork, strong organizational skills, and respect for TMA members are essential. Excellent writing, communication, and comfort with working remotely are necessary. Must be self-motivated, take direction well, and be able to work well with scheduled remote check-ins with supervisory staff. Experience in grant management, social media marketing, and communications preferred.

The purpose of a job description is to describe the overall function and general responsibilities of a job. Job descriptions are used in hiring and training and to provide employees with a better understanding of employer expectations. Descriptions are revised as job responsibilities change.