POSITION TITLE: Human Rights Clinic^® ASSIST Intern
LOCATION: New York, NY
REPORTING TO: Program Associate (ASSIST), Human Rights Clinic
COMPENSATION: Unpaid
TIME COMMITMENT: 24-32 hours per week (or more) with commitment of a minimum of 4 months (more preferred)

START DATE: February 25, 2013

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
HealthRight International is a global health and human rights organization working where health is diminished or endangered by violations of human rights and civil liberties. Reaching out to the most vulnerable and marginalized populations, HealthRight works with local partners to build sustainable access to health care for excluded populations.

PROJECT OBJECTIVE
HealthRight’s Human Rights Clinic (HRC) provides torture survivors seeking asylum and other forms of immigration relief in the United States with clinical examinations, legal (medical and psychological) affidavits addressing the consistency of claims and medical evidence, and oral testimony for asylum hearings. The HRC trains and maintains a network of health professional to achieve this objective.

Through the Access to Support and Services for Survivors of Torture (ASSIST) program, HRC also connects individuals who receive a clinical evaluation to needed medical, mental health, and social services. ASSIST serves as a bridge between clients, legal representatives, HRC volunteer clinicians, and service providers in the community, enabling clients to overcome the lasting effects of torture and the daily challenges of building new lives in the United States.

OUTLINE OF ROLE
The HRC ASSIST intern assesses clients’ needs, provides appropriate referrals, and maintains ongoing contact with clients and partner organizations. The intern also provides program support to three HRC program staff members by performing other supportive tasks as outlined below.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Assist HRC program staff by

1.      Conducting needs assessments with ASSIST clients in person or over the phone to determine need for referral to health and social services.

2.      Researching available community health and social services resources and making appropriate referrals for clients. 

3.      Documenting all referral information and case contact notes in MS Access database.

4.      Following up with clients to ensure access to services and suitability of referrals.

5.      Informing clients’ attorneys and referring clinicians of case progress.

6.      Developing and maintaining Community Resource Guides for all HRC sites nationwide.

7.      Meeting regularly with the ASSIST Program Associate to discuss case progress.

8.      Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in social work, social sciences or other related field; experience working with immigrants, refugees or torture survivors preferred; cultural competency; demonstrated interest in human rights and/or refugee issues, immigration law, social work, or international studies; must be comfortable working directly with clients of various ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds and with limited English proficiency; fluency in a second language preferred (e.g. Spanish, French, Arabic); strong organizational and communication skills; proficiency in MS Office applications; and ability to take ownership over job tasks and work independently as well as with a team.

Email resume with cover letter to humanresources@healthright.org.with the position title in the subject line. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. No calls please.