TITLE: Dental Hygiene Program Intern

LOCATION: Des Moines, IA                   

START DATE: June 2024

DURATION: 3-4 Months, Minimum of 10 hours per week.

 

BACKGROUND:

The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disasterto survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading, non-sectarian, non-profit organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict.  Domestically, our 29 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.

 

The Des Moines, IA office was opened in July of 2022 serving more than 200 refugees in its first year. The Health and Wellness Coordinator supports clients in navigating complex medical and benefits systems, and designs and connects clients to programs and resources that improve their quality of life.

 

SCOPE OF INTERN WORK:

Under the supervision of the Health & Wellness Coordinator, the intern will work on bridging the oral health resources gap with refugee populations by identifying resources and building relationships with oral hygiene organizations and educators in the community. They will also work to collaborate with interdisciplinary individuals such as dentists, oral hygienists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, doctors, nutritionists, or social workers to support the implementation of dental and oral hygiene initiatives.

 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Networking with dental professionals to assist in scheduling clients with dental needs.
  • Assist with transporting and registering clients with clinics.
  •  Provide oral hygiene education and assessment to clients.
  • Distribute and identify emerging needs amongst incoming populations and how providers can
    better serve refugee populations.
  • Create databases or lists of found resources and activities that can be easily disseminated with clients and direct service professionals.
  • Identify communication methods and practices for assessing interests and priorities among youth and families.
  • Create relationships with school affiliates to disseminate lists and create intentional processes for referrals to programs.
  • Opportunity to work with other caseworkers and learn different programs at the IRC

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

  • Gain exposure to interacting with diverse communities, cultures, and backgrounds.
  • Deepen understanding of the unique barriers, challenges, and assets of the refugee and immigrant communities.
  • Develop skills related to building a community network of connections and resources.
  • Identifying ways to consolidate information and disseminate it to broad audiences.
  • Learning to create and implement processes intended for client impact

 

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Pursuing a degree in: Pre-Dental, Medicine, Pre-PA, Global Health, Nutrition, and Dietetics
  • Experience and moderate efficiency with Microsoft products.
  • Ability to work efficiently and accurately under multiple demands and frequent interruptions.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills.
  • Interpersonal skills.

 

This is an unpaid internship position. No financial compensation, including compensation for relocation, is available. There is a daily reimbursement stipend for costs associated with the internship. Scholarship opportunities are available to apply for upon acceptance of the position.

 

How to apply 

Interested applicants should visit https://irc-global.my.salesforce-sites.com/volunteer to apply. Be sure to attach a current resume and cover letter.  Email [email protected] for assistance or more information. Once your application is received, a staff member may contact you for a brief interview.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.