Clinical Public Health InternAt — Mission Hospital Mission Viejo

As a Public Health Intern in our Internal Medicine office, you will gain hands-on experience in a clinical setting, bridging the gap between public health and direct patient care. This role involves shadowing Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and a Medical Doctor (MD) to observe patient consultations, medical examinations, and clinical decision-making. You will also assist in reviewing diagnostic results, including lab work, imaging reports, and other medical assessments, to understand disease prevention and management. Additionally, you will gain exposure to healthcare operations, patient communication strategies, and public health initiatives within a medical practice. This internship provides a comprehensive learning experience for those interested in clinical medicine, health education, and healthcare administration.

Tasks:

1. Clinical Observation: Shadow Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and a Medical Doctor (MD) during patient consultations, physical examinations, and medical procedures to understand clinical decision-making and patient care strategies.
2. Patient Communication & Education: Observe and support healthcare providers in educating patients about preventive health measures, medication adherence, and lifestyle modifications.
3. Quality Improvement & Research: Participate in discussions on evidence-based practices, review medical and public health literature, and contribute to minor research tasks related to internal medicine and patient care.

Training:

Students participating in this internship will receive structured training to support their learning and professional development. The program begins with a mandatory general orientation covering workplace policies, HIPAA compliance, safety protocols, and an overview of the internal medicine practice. Throughout the internship, students will engage in job shadowing, observing Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and a Medical Doctor (MD) during patient consultations, examinations, and clinical decision-making. To further enhance their learning, interns will have scheduled one-on-one mentorship meetings to discuss progress, ask questions, and receive professional guidance. They will also review medical documentation, lab reports, and imaging results with explanations from healthcare professionals to understand diagnostic processes. Additionally, interns will have access to relevant training literature, clinical guidelines, and public health resources to reinforce their knowledge. Supervisors will provide context for assigned tasks, ensuring interns understand their role in patient care and public health initiatives. This structured training approach allows interns to gain valuable hands-on experience while receiving the support necessary to meet their learning objectives.

Learning outcome:

1.Clinical Observation & Patient Care: Gain firsthand experience by shadowing Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and a Medical Doctor (MD), observing patient examinations, consultations, and treatment planning.
2.Medical Documentation & Diagnostic Review: Develop an understanding of medical records, lab results, imaging reports, and other diagnostic assessments to analyze patient health trends.
3.Public Health Integration in Clinical Medicine: Learn how preventive health strategies and public health principles are applied in an internal medicine setting to improve patient outcomes.
4.Healthcare Communication & Professionalism: Enhance communication skills by observing patient-provider interactions and learning how to educate patients on health conditions and preventive care.
5.Healthcare Operations & Administration: Gain insight into the workflow of a medical practice, including scheduling, medical documentation, and interdisciplinary collaboration.