Trained interns can give the professional sta of health departments the freedom to pursue more high-level projects. And as NEPHIP provides a stipend for interns to cover salary and moving expenses, health departments have a cost-eective way to host interns. Outside of NEPHIP internships, health departments can develop their own intern- ship programs. The University of Findlay (n.d.) oers a guide to developing a qual- ity internship program. Furthermore, the process of internship development for health departments new to hosting interns can be facilitated through the use of the logic model and process in Figure 1. First, health departments need to determine what they would like to gain from an internship program, then begin to develop real-work assignments or projects for the intern. After those tasks, a person should be designated to be responsible for the intern and act as a mentor. Health departments should con- sult with their internal human resources department regarding pay unless the intern- ship is voluntary. Wages vary widely from field to field and health departments should strive to oer competitive wages and incen- tives (e.g., housing, parking). Finally, a job description should be created that clearly explains the duties and expectations of the internship. Once finalized, health depart- ments can share their internship oppor- tunities with AEHAP or program directors of EHAC-accredited programs to advertise their internships. Health department can also submit an application through NEPHIP to host an intern (NEHA, 2023b). Modern internships can be in person, fully online, or hybrid (both in person and online). After the COVID-19 pandemic, the field of environmental health began to use its practitioners in remote capacities for numer- ous job duties. Online activities can include but are not limited to writing handbooks or manuals, designing posters, evaluating data to produce charts and graphs, generating financial forecast and cost recovery reports, performing software and hardware modi- fications, conducting studies and surveys, developing presentations, compiling techni- cal reports, creating academic lesson plans, conducting research, generating marketing plans, conducting training packages, prepar- ing budgets and financial reports, and com- pleting hands-on projects as needed.
TABLE 1
Examples of Internship Projects From Health Departments That Have Part-Time or Full-Time Online Components
Internship Example Assist in the coordination of outreach messaging, public advisory postings, and stakeholder actions if conditions are found to be a potential threat to public health (e.g., recreational waters). Study of the peak activity times of different species of mosquitoes in Central Ohio, as well as assist with other aspects of integrated mosquito management. The results of this project will help inform control activities for adult mosquitoes and improve the control of species that pose a vectorborne disease concern. Work on the National Environment Policy Act and Endangered Species Act through valuating maps, databases, interviews, and historical analysis for the determination of new construction and industry in public health districts. Content development, design, and outreach material for a public health newsletter. Content creator and designer for health department social media. Environmental law literature search to support evidence for personal injury due to environmental exposures.
FIGURE 1
Internship Logic Model Depicting Relationships Among Internship Factors and a Resulting High Impact Internship
Facilitated Reflections
Academic Supervision
Clear Expectations
Goal Setting
Corequisite Academic Support Structures for Internships
HighImSact InternshiSs
Projected Outcomes of Academic Internships
Vocational Education
Professional Development
Application in the Classroom
Sense of Responsibility
Source: Recreated from Elon University, Center for Engaged Learning, 2023.
The National Environmental Public Health Internship Program (NEPHIP) is a guided internship program that provides students with stipends and placement at qualified state, tribal, local, and territorial environmen- tal public health agencies (National Environ- mental Health Association [NEHA], 2023a). Benefits of the NEPHIP program—aside from providing financial support to students and providing health departments with quali-
fied students who have skills that match the internship—include providing health depart- ments with students who can be taught to work independently and who can assist and support sta and projects. Furthermore, this internship period can be used as a trial period prior to a permanent position. NEPHIP internships provide a year-round source of highly motivated students who can bring new perspectives to old problems.
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September 2023 • Journal of Environmental Health
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