HEALTH CARE AGENCY
The OC Health Care Agency (HCA) is a regional provider, charged with protecting and promoting individual, family and community health through coordination of public and private sector resources.
Medical Health Services coordinates and oversees emergency medical services and prehospital care, employee health for all County of Orange employees, health disaster preparedness and management, environmental health issues involving food safety, water quality and harmful conditions in our community, and the Medical Safety Net program that provides urgent, emergent medical services to low-income adults without an insurance home.
THE OPPORUNITY
Orange County Emergency Medical Services (OCEMS) plans, implements and regulates the county’s emergency medical services system and its participants. Established in 1978 by the Board of Supervisors, OCEMS was one of the first to be developed in the United States. The system is based on a solid foundation of collaboration between public Fire Departments, private Ambulance Providers, Base Hospitals, Emergency Departments, Specialty Centers and EMS personnel. A Board Certified Emergency Physician is complemented by strong leadership and program professionals with EMS expertise to medically direct and ensure that quality 9-1-1 care is provided on a 24/7 basis.
The primary duty of the Emergency Management Intern will be to provide technical and/or administrative assistance in emergency preparedness and planning projects. These projects may involve exercise design and development, exercise design and development, WebEOC design and use, Geographic Information Services (GIS) and technology management, and public information and outreach.
Additional Intern duties/responsibilities may include:
- Prepare documents and reports
- Complete sections of grant workplans
- Organize computer folders/sub-folders
- Create forms and spreadsheets
- Assist Senior Program Supervisors with various tasks
- Assist with disaster exercises and drills
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must currently be enrolled in an accredited college/university majoring in Emergency Management, Computer Science, Public Safety, Political Science, Public Administration, Law, Fire Science, Public Affairs, Communications, Public Relations, Public Policy, or related fields. Recent graduates who have completed their degree in one of the above fields are also eligible to apply.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Strong reading and writing skills
- Ability to do research
- Good organizational skills
- Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
- Some knowledge of grants is desirable but not required
TIME COMMITMENT
Immediate placement is available. Minimum 10 hours per week over one semester or quarter. Interns can extend their internship up to 12 months if needed/desired. Hours must be scheduled during regular business hours (Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.). Applicants able to schedule the maximum hours/duration listed for the internship typically gain a more in-depth experience.
BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO INTERNS
Although this is an unpaid internship that does not lead to permanent employment or include employee benefits, the position offers students or recent graduates experience in working within a large governmental entity. The Emergency Management Division provides exposure to many different aspects of legislative relations, as staff coordinate daily with local, state and federal governmental agencies as a part of routine operations.
The Emergency Medical Services is one of the few assignments within the County that the intern may be exposed to a multi-faceted government coordination. This assignment also provides an opportunity for students to explore career options, apply academic knowledge and skills to the workplace, gain career skills, build resumes and network with professionals in their fields of interest.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Applicants must attach a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts to their application.
The cover letter is an opportunity for students to describe career and academic goals, to elaborate upon personal and academic accomplishments, and to identify what type of internship experience they are seeking. Learn more about what to include in a cover letter on our website here.
REQUIRED BACKGROUND SCREENING/REFERENCE CHECK
Prior to placement, applicants may be asked to submit contact information for reference checks, and a background screening will be conducted that requires a state issued driver’s license or ID card and a U.S. Social Security number.
