Fieldwork Course Syllabus COMHE 737-Hunter College CUNY

Hunter College

School of Health Sciences

Program in Community Health Education

COMHE 737.01

Field Work I

Professor: Lynn Roberts, PhD

Class Time: N/A

Class Room: N/A

Office: 1015 West Building

Phone: 481-5110 (faculty office)

481-5111 (COMHE office)

Office Hours: Thursdays, 3:00 - 4:00 PM, 8:00 - 9:00 PM and by appointment

e-mail: lroberts@hunter.cuny.edu

The Internship Process

1. All matriculated COMHE students entering the Urban Public Health program as of September 1998 must complete 6 credit hours of supervised internship, consisting of 420 hours of field work.

2. Students may register for Field Work I (COMHE 737.01) during the fall, spring or summer semesters, however, the Capstone seminar (COMHE 737.01 or Field Work II) is only offered during the Spring or Fall semesters.

3. Students planning to register for the internship should schedule a meeting with the Internship Coordinator for their track at least one semester prior to beginning their internship. Students should not register for the internship without prior approval of an internship by their Track Coordinator.

4. Upon meeting with the Internship Coordinator, students will be asked to submit the following:

a. A current resume

b. A completed Internship Assessment Form (attached) – designed to evaluate the student’s academic and professional skills and experiences; identify the general competency areas the student wishes to address through the Internship; and identify appropriate placement settings.

c. A proposed timetable for completing the internship

5. The content and scope of an Internship should be similar to work performed by an entry level public health professional.

6. Typical Internship job duties may include (but are not limited to):

a. COMHE

1. Developing and implementing a community health education or nutrition curriculum for a specific population.

2. Designing, implementing and evaluating a community health intervention or nutrition program in a health care or community-based setting.

3. Conducting research (e.g. designing and implementing studies, gathering, analyzing and interpreting data) in COMHE.

4. Conducting policy analysis or advocacy related to a public health issue.

5. Contributing to the development of funding of a community health or nutrition agency or program.

7. The Internship Coordinator is responsible for assisting students in selecting and for approving field placements. Approval of a proposed field placement will be based on students having successfully completed the following:

a. Submission of a UPH Internship Field Work Data Form (attached) that includes contact information for the student and the preceptor.

b. Submission of a mutually agreed upon Contract on the letterhead of the internship site, signed by the preceptor and which includes the following information:

1. learning objectives the student seeks to accomplish. Select at least 2-3 UPH competencies and 2-3 track-specific competencies (see list attached).

2. a brief description of work activities to be performed by the student

3. a brief description of any special project to be completed

4. the total number of hours the student will contribute

5. the expected start and completion dates

c. Meeting with an Internship Coordinator to review the proposed plan.

8. The student will prepare and submit a Professional Portfolio. See guidelines for organizing the portfolio below. The portfolio should be submitted at the end of the internship.

9. The preceptor will hold an evaluation meeting with student and submit the Field Placement Supervisor Evaluation Form to the Internship Coordinator no later than the end of the semester or whenever the student completes agreed upon hours of field work.

10. Student must submit all of the documents listed above in order to receive a “P”, passing grade for Field Work I.

UPH Internship Assessment Form

1. Last Name:____________________ First Name:______________________________

2. SSN:__ __ __ - __ __ - __ __ __ __

3. Home Address:_________________________________ Apt. #:__________________

City:_____________________ State:_______________ Zip:______________

4. Employer: (Company name):________________________________________________

Work Address:________________________________ Floor/suite:______________

City:____________________ State:_______________ Zip:______________

Job title:__________________ How long at present position?___ months ___ years

How long with your present employer?___ months ___ years

5. Daytime telephone #:(__ __ __)- __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ Hours:_____________________

Evening telephone #:(__ __ __)- __ __ __ - __ __ __ __ Hours:_____________________

Mobile telephone #:(__ __ __)- __ __ __ - __ __ __ __

6. Most frequently checked e-mail address:______________________________________________

7. What program are you currently enrolled in? (circle one)

a. MPH

b. MS

c. Not sure

8. Which track are you enrolled in?

a. COMHE

b. EOHS

c. NUTR

9. When are you planning to complete your graduate degree?__ __/__ __

10. During which Academic Semester are you planning to start and complete your Internship?

(Indicate semester and year)

Start date: Anticipated date of completion:

Fall__ __ __ __ Fall__ __ __ __

Spring __ __ __ __ Spring __ __ __ __

Summer __ __ __ __ Summer __ __ __ __

Not sure Not sure

11. Describe what steps, if any, have you taken toward setting up an Internship? (e.g., contacted someone within the organization where you’d like to work; haven’t contacted anyone yet but know whom to contact, not sure who to contact, etc.)

________________________________________________________________________

12. Have you already selected a site for your internship?

a. Yes

b. No (Got to Question #14)

13. Please complete the following information about your internship site and skip to Question #15

Name of organization:_____________________________________________________

Street address:___________________________________________________________

City:_____________________________ State:____ ____ Zip:____ ____ ____ ____ ____

Name of preceptor: ________________________ Preceptor’s job title:________________________

Preceptors telephone:______________________ Preceptor’s e-mail address:_________________________

14. What ideas do you have regarding the (type of) organization you’d like to be involved with for your internship?

a. Consulting firm

b. Health care institution

c. Government agency

d. School

e. Private employer

f. Labor union

g. Community based organization

h. Other:_____________________

i. Not sure

15. What ideas do you have regarding the specific organizations and types of project activities you would like to be involved in for your Internship?

Organization Activities/Project(s)

__________________________ ________________________________________________

16. Professional experience (paid and unpaid) in the field of public health: (Attach current resume)

Position Employer Job Duties Dates

_______________________________________________________________________________

Attach current resume!

Assessment form (cont’d.)

Please indicate2-3 UPH competencies and 2-3 track specific competencies which you would like to enhance through the Internship. If you do not see a particular competency on the list, feel free to add it

UPH Competencies	Enhance thru Internship
Describe various populations in terms of characteristics that deter or facilitate health improvement.
Describe the impact of religious belief, language and culture on health and disease.
Describe how health and health needs change through the life cycle.
Describe the health status and needs of specific urban populations, such as the homeless, recent immigrants and those living in extreme poverty.
Analyze the impact of class, race, ethnicity, gender and sexual preference on the health status and needs of urban populations.
Identify and analyze appropriate data sources for understanding the health of communities and populations.
Use vital statistics to describe population health.
Use epidemiologic methods to describe the occurrence of health problems in populations and identify determinants of specified health problems.
Use basic computerized statistical software to undertake quantitative analyses that explains relationships among variables of interest.
Understand and critically analyze published reports on urban health issues.
Conduct literature reviews and Internet searches on selected health issues.
Use the Internet and other forms of electronic communication to gather information on urban public health issues.
Identify and evaluate hazards that endanger the health of populations, select priorities for action and choose appropriate control measures.
Evaluate the implementation and outcomes of public health interventions.
Identify organizations that play a role in health promotion and disease prevention.
Recognize factors that influence organizations' ability to support public health.
Recognize ways that public health programs are managed within multipurpose organizations.
Describe the roles of city, state, and federal government in promoting health and preventing disease.
Describe the roles of various systems in promoting health and preventing disease.
Describe the history of public health and urban development in the United States and explain their impact on the health of urban populations.
Identify roles for public health professions to influence institutional and public policies that affect the well-being of populations.
Advocate for policies and programs that will promote health and prevent disease within communities.
Assist community residents and organizations to try to change systems that impede health.
Present health information clearly and effectively in written and oral formats.
Lead groups effectively to achieve health goals.
Respond to clients’/publics’ concerns about public health issues and describe approaches to dealing with the issue
Develop, deliver and evaluate training on public health issues.
Interact productively with professional and lay personnel within an organization or community.
Understand the steps involved in planning, carrying out and evaluating public health projects, studies, assessments and programs.
Plan and oversee budgets and prepare grant for public health programs and organizations
Identify and access the relevant regulatory and other agencies that can play a role in public health risk assessment and control.
Critically evaluate public health programs.
Other:
Other:

Community Health Education Competencies	Enhance thru Internship
Identify theories from psychology, sociology and health education that apply to behavior change and maintenance.
Identify models for health program planning.
Develop theory driven health education programs.
Write goals and measurable objectives consistent with needs assessment outcomes.
Plan and write proposals for program funding.
Select goals and objectives for public health programs.
Develop objectives consistent with available financial resources and personnel competency.
Develop objectives that focus on the cognitive, affective and skills learning domains.
Plan budgets for public health programs.
Plan and implement interventions to promote health and prevent disease within multiethnic populations.
Use group dynamic strategies for problem-solving.
Design interventions based on ethical principles.
Design and manage the application of group processes for change.
Develop strategies to support organizations to play a stronger role in health promotion and disease prevention.
Involve communities in the design of appropriate intervention strategies.
Develop and train peer education and train-the-trainer strategies.
Develop and/ or incorporate culturally sensitive and age appropriate health education materials.
Prepare written reports for individuals, community members and leaders, health care providers and the media.
Develop, produce and evaluate media campaigns to create health consciousness.
Incorporate process, impact and outcome evaluation into program development.

FIELD WORK DATA FORM

(Once site is approved, submit to Internship Coordinator w/ contract)

REGISTRATION DATA

check course # (√) circle semester enter year

EOHS 760 ( ) 770.61 ( ) Fall/Spring/Summer Year_____

COMHE 737.01 ( ) 737.02 ( ) Fall/Spring/Summer Year_____

NUTR 737.01 ( ) 737.01 ( ) Fall/Spring/Summer Year_____

PERSONAL DATA

Student Name: ____________________________ SS#: ____________________

Address: __________________________________________________________

Street City Zip code

Phone (home): __________________________ e-mail: _____________________

Phone (work): __________________________

How many credits have you completed towards your degree? _________________

FIELD PLACEMENT DATA

Beginning date: ____/____/_____ Total hours to be completed: ____________

Expected completion date: _____/____/____ Expected weekly hours:___________

Site Supervisor Name: ________________________________________________

Supervisor Job Title: ________________________Degree: __________________

Organization: _______________________________________________________

Address:___________________________________________________________

Street City Zip Code

E-Mail: ______________________________________

Phone: ________________________ Fax:__________________________

Portfolio Requirements

Main Page

This page will contain general information for each student.

Minimum requirements include:

Professional mission statement and goals

Contact information (address, phone, email)

Resume

This page will contain a professional resume.

Minimum requirements include:

Contact information

Education completed

Public health and other relevant work experience (in chronological order)

Honors and Awards

Special skills

Documentation and Evidence in Public Health

This section will provide documentation and evidence of commitment and experience in the field of public health.

Minimum requirements include:

2 documents of sample work related to UPH competencies (must specify)

1 written documentation providing evidence of interaction with other public health professionals in internship site (e.g., memo, e-mail, meeting summary)

1 certification of IRB training

Documentation and Evidence in UPH track (COMHE, EOHS or NUTR)

This section will provide documentation and evidence of commitment and experience in specific UPH track.

Minimum requirements include:

1 document indicating membership in at least one professional organization related to track

2 documents of sample work related to track specific competencies (must specify)

Documentation and Evidence of Community Service

This section will provide documentation and evidence of community involvement and service outside of the academic environment.

Minimum requirements include:

2 examples of community involvement

Professional Reflections

This section will provide documentation and evidence of the student as a reflective public health practitioner.

Minimum requirements include:

1 reflection on the extent to which your course work at Hunter prepared you for the internship.

1 reflection on the quality of on-site supervision you received during your Internship. Was someone generally available to answer your questions and provide feedback (even if you didn’t seek it)? Was the feedback you received useful?

1 reflection on any challenges or problems encountered and how they were addressed; What technical or human obstacles did you encounter? Were there any deviations from your original plan or expectations for the Internship (for better or worse)! Were there things you hoped to get out of the Internship experience but didn’t?

1 reflection on the overall quality of the internship; Were there particular skills, knowledge or lessons that you acquired unexpectedly? Was the internship a good educational experience – why or why not? How did it provide you with a better sense of the skills needed for employment in the profession? Would you recommend that other students intern with the same department or agency? Do you have any recommendations for improving your Internship experience?

Please write letter grade in each appropriate box	NO OPPORTUNITY TO OBSERVE	EXCEPTIONAL (A+, A, A-)	ABOVE AVERAGE (B+,B,B-)	NEEDS IMPROVEMENT (AVERAGE) (C+,C,C-)	WORKING TO IMPROVE (BELOW AVERAGE)
A. PROFESSIONAL QUALITIES 1. Appreciation and knowledge of: technical and political climate within which agency works.
health education principles and concepts
2. Skills In: Planning
Implementation
Organizing
Program analysis and evaluation
Consultation
Writing
Verbal communication
Teaching
Health Counseling

Please write letter grade in each appropriate box	NO OPPORTUNITY TO OBSERVE	EXCEPTIONAL (A+, A, A-)	ABOVE AVERAGE (B+,B,B-)	NEEDS IMPROVEMENT (AVERAGE) (C+,C,C-)	WORKING TO IMPROVE (BELOW AVERAGE)
B. OVERALL PERFORMANCE 1. Establishes friendly relationship with co-workers.
2. Considers and incorporates the ideas of others.
3. Organizes and uses time effectively.
4. Is able to facilitate work of committees and other groups.
5. Submits accurate, well documented work and reports.
6. Accepts responsibility and completes work assignments.
7. Raises innovative ideas and brings out creative and innovative ideas in others.