Informatics Internship with the HHS/ONC Health Information Technology

[rninformatics, DNP, RN]

Bellow is an announcement for a summer internship with the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. This internship is located in Washington DC and will take place between May and August (dates are somewhat flexible).

Announcement:

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) is looking for six talented individuals for our 2011 summer internship.

ONC, part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is at the forefront of our nation's health information technology (health IT) efforts.

Our Mission Includes:

Implementing programs, developing policies and regulations, conducting outreach, and generating research and analysis to promote the development of a nationwide health IT infrastructure that allows for electronic use and exchange of information that:

Ensures secure and protected patient health information

Improves health care quality

Reduces health care costs

Informs medical decisions at the time/place of care

Includes meaningful public input in infrastructure development

Improves coordination of care and information among hospitals, labs, physicians, etc.

Improves public health activities and facilitates early identification/rapid response to public health emergencies

Facilitates health and clinical research

Promotes early detection, prevention, and management of chronic diseases

Promotes a more effective marketplace

Improves efforts to reduce health disparities

Providing leadership in the development, recognition, and implementation of standards and the certification of health IT products

Coordinating health IT policy throughout the federal government

Planning strategically for health IT adoption and health information exchange

Establishing governance for the Nationwide Health Information Network

Gain a Unique Perspective

It's an exciting time to work at ONC. Never before has the federal government invested so much in health IT. Your efforts will directly contribute to improving the quality of care for all citizens of the United States. As a summer student employee, you collaborate with pioneers in the field of health IT and see first-hand how new federal policy is successfully implemented.

Some of the duties may include: gathering and/or analyzing various types of data related to health IT adoption and use; conducting literature reviews; planning and coordinating meetings and events; drafting memos, policies, meeting notes, and other documents; assisting ONC staff with policy development; and conducting stakeholder outreach and engagement.

You will also have the opportunity to attend seminars and brownbag lunches that will give you in-depth knowledge of the issues and challenges of health IT Implementation.

Qualifications

ONC is seeking highly motivated individuals with a "can do" attitude who are able to work in a fast-paced and team-oriented environment. To qualify for this position, you must be a degree-seeking student in an accredited academic institution. You must be planning on returning to school at the end of the summer.

Student Temporary Employment Program: Applicants must be a student enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree seeking student (diploma, certificate, etc.) and at least the minimum age 16 required by Office of Personnel Management's regulations on Child Labor found at 5 CFR 551.601. Students must be taking at least a half-time academic or vocational and technical course load in an accredited high school, technical or vocational school, a two-year or four-year college or university, or graduate or professional school.

Ideal candidates for this position should will:

Have strong organizational skills and be able to prioritize and execute multiple tasks and projects

Be able work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds and across different departments, disciplines, and industries

Have prior work or academic experience that demonstrates their work ethic, commitment to high-quality work, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills

Have an excellent academic track record

Compensation

Compensation will range from $10.50 to $20.22 an hour depending on your experience and education level.

To apply, please e-mail a cover letter, a resume, copy of your unofficial transcripts, and a letter of good-standing from your academic institution indicating that you are a current student and are enrolled for 2011 fall classes to [email protected]. Please put "Summer Internship" in the subject line.

If you have any skills of particular note including those in the areas of information technology, clinical medicine, writing for diverse audiences, or data analysis, please highlight that in your cover letter.

Application Deadline is Friday, February 18th, 2011.

Please note that ONC also has a year-long fellowship program. For further information about that program, please contact .