Post-Undergraduate Administrative Internship

Job Descriptions

Each internship is linked to a particular AHP program. Most interns spend their time performing a mix of administrative and program-related tasks. These pages describe each of the types of internship available for the coming year.

All interns share some tasks and commitments. As noted above, internships begin in July and last for one year, and the internship work week is 32 hours. Representatives from each AHP program meet with new interns in a series of orientation meetings to introduce themselves and to discuss the work of their programs. In this way, interns develop a comprehensive understanding of the agency and how it functions. Once each month, interns gather to discuss career issues and meet with guest speakers to hear about experiences working in the HIV field.

Interns also gather as a group during the weekly mailing of agency publications and other items. While the folding, stuffing, and sealing may sound monotonous, it is actually the perfect opportunity for interns from all units to get together and socialize.

HIV Counseling and Testing Program

The HIV Counseling and Testing Program (HCAT) is a group of approximately 55 staff and volunteers who provide on-going HIV education, risk assessment and test results disclosure counseling, and referrals to clients at permanent and mobile test sites throughout San Francisco. HCAT is at the front lines of the epidemic, helping HIV-negative individuals understand and reduce their risks and helping those who test HIV-positive to connect with services which can help them develop strategies to cope with their status.

JOB DESCRIPTION: The interns working with this unit have some of the closest contact with the agency's clientele. They field calls from individuals wanting to make an appointment to take an HIV test or needing basic information about HIV. They also meet clients face to face at AHP test sites throughout San Francisco. Before they can participate as HIV Test Counselors with the agency, interns attend two extensive training sessions conducted by AHP's Training Unit. Following their successful completion of the training, interns are awarded California State Certification in HIV Counseling and Testing. HCAT interns record client data in a database, which is shared with the San Francisco Department of Public Health. The ability to do accurate data entry is a primary requirement of this position.

Research Program

The research unit is a small, tightly knit group responsible for designing and implementing all of the agency's research projects. Like the services provided by the AIDS Health Project (AHP), our research focuses on reducing and ultimately eliminating the spread of HIV/AIDS (prevention) and improving the health and wellbeing of those living with HIV/AIDS (care). Study findings are not only shared with the global research community, but are also used at AHP to improve intervention techniques employed by our own staff of mental health professionals.

JOB DESCRIPTION: The primary role of the research intern is to assist in the day-today implementation and operation of multiple research studies conducted by the unit. Interns are responsible for recruitment of research participants (e.g. eligibility screening, enrollment, scheduling) and administration of participant appointments (informed consent, collection of survey and biologic data, participant reimbursement). All research involves a good deal of administrative work (e.g. data entry, data cleaning, generation of reports) and thus the research intern should expect to wrangle a considerable amount of paperwork. As a member of an interdisciplinary research team, the intern participates in monthly meetings with collaborators from UCSF's Center for AIDS Prevention Studies and the San Francisco Department of Public Health. Research interns leave AHP with a solid background in HIV, the skills necessary to perform standard research procedures, and an appreciation for the field of public health.

Training Program

The UCSF AIDS Health Project's Training Program is looking for an intern to become an integral part of a dynamic group of trainers and administrators. The intern will have an opportunity to assist in the development, design, production, and delivery of HIV-related trainings to mental health, public health and HIV service providers throughout the state of California. The Training Program is composed of
an eclectic group of health educators, social workers, and therapists who are committed to making an impact on the lives of people living with HIV and those at risk, by educating, training, and supporting HIV-care providers in their work. Trainers provide five-day, two-day and one-day trainings for individuals who want to become HIV antibody test counselors, and for social service and medical providers working with HIV in a variety of settings.

JOB DESCRIPTION: The Training intern will have the possibility of assisting in a variety of ways depending on the skills and interests of the incumbent. The intern may research current information regarding HIV-related statistics, psychosocial issues, legal issues, and medication updates. The intern may also assist administrators in preparation for trainings, including organizing materials, contacting participants, and procuring training sites. The intern also has the opportunity to attend HIV trainings to observe the training process and to become a certified HIV test counselor conducting single session counseling one evening per week. Finally, the intern has the opportunity to learn interactive training techniques and deliver training modules under the guidance of the program's trainers.

Development Department

The Development Department designs and implements all the fundraising and donor cultivation events annually, in addition to two premier events each year: Art for AIDS and our Gala—Facing the Future Together. The department coordinates event production, solicitation of corporate and individual sponsors, public relations, and volunteer activities. We maximize event fundraising potential by securing the donation of goods and services for free when possible. Our team represents the best interests of AHP, enhancing our “good name” built upon the quality of our services and developing events that reflect our identity and image.

Client Services

The AHP Services Center sees a variety of clients through several different units that work together to provide excellent and efficient clinical services to our clients. These units are described below:

Psychosocial Support Services (PSS)

Staff, along with a substantial set of volunteers working under a variety of professional licenses and degrees, work with those living with HIV through support and problem solving. PSS is the primary provider of emotional support groups in San Francisco. Each week the agency runs more than 20 support groups that focus on a range of psychosocial issues that arise among groups of HIV positive people and people with AIDS. In addition to the variety of groups, people with HIV and AIDS receive individual counseling to address issues relating to their HIV positive status.

Risk Evaluation and Counseling for Health (REACH)

The REACH program serves HIV positive and HIV negative or untested gay and bisexual men with a wide variety of counseling services that include HIV prevention groups, individual and couples counseling, and other social services. The goal of the program is to reduce and eventually eliminate new HIV infections while working with HIV positive, HIV negative and untested individuals to prevent transmission of HIV to uninfected sex or needle sharing partners. Through the wide array of culturally sensitive peer based and professional services offered, clients are given the opportunity to talk about dating, sex, HIV testing, isolation, hope, disclosure, struggles with safe sex, negotiating, drugs, self-esteem, and other issues related to remaining HIV negative.

Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Services (CPSAS)

CPSAS providers work in conjunction with PSS to offer psychiatric care for our HIV positive clients where appropriate. Our psychiatrists and nurse practitioners offer treatment, consultation and medication monitoring. When needed, clients are assessed and followed at home for HIV related cognitive impairment. The CPSAS team manages client psychiatric crises in the services center and in the community. In addition, they offer consultation and training for other providers in the community. The CPSAS team offers individual and group counseling and case management services for those clients who are struggling with psychiatric and substance use issues as well as being HIV positive. The team works closely with other providers involved with a particular client to ensure comprehensive care.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Interns working at the Services Center provide the necessary daily administrative tasks of the various programs listed above. These tasks include, but are not limited to the following: data entry, maintaining client files, management of client data forms and surveys, preparing correspondence, transcribing psychiatric notes and client crisis information, and directly work with clients both while serving as receptionist at our front desk and through informing them of availability of services they are waiting to become a part of. Interns will work with one or more teams to design publicity for specialized workshops, forums and other community events. Interns are invited to sit in on various staff case consultations, psychiatric rounds, and unit meetings.