American Red Cross

http://www.thejobpyramid.com/2011/03/14/recruiting-for-helping-hands/

Mission:

The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, will provide relief to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.
 

Internship Reflection

My Biggest Challenge:
 
     The most difficult part of my internship experience with the American Red Cross was learning how to adjust to a professional work setting. It took a while to get used to the new level of professionalism at the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Red Cross because it was completely different from any of the jobs or work experiences I’ve had in the past. It was exciting to collaborate with health professionals at a highly recognized health organization, but it was also very intimidating. At first, I was very shy with my colleagues and I even stressed about how to dress professionally because I was so worried about being accepted as a working member of their organization. Luckily, most of the staff and students at the Red Cross were very understanding and accepted me through this process of trial and error, but it was without a doubt one of the most stressful parts of my internship experience. I realized that my coursework at UMD could only prepare me so much and in order to succeed in the real world I would need to jump right in and gain real experience. I’m really grateful for this experience because now I feel like the adjustment to a professional work environment will be much smoother when I pursue other jobs in the future.

If I Could Change One Thing: 

     If I could change one thing about my internship, I would have changed the time it took for me to complete it. It would have been really great to have had more hours over a (much) shorter period of time. Although I’m glad I had the opportunity to get to know and grow within the organization over time, I think working full time would have helped me feel like I was a true member of the staff rather than an intern they have on the side.

How This has Impacted My Career: 

     My internship experience with the Red Cross really helped give me a better idea of what it means to truly work within a professional health organization. I learned a lot of things while working with the Red Cross that I never would have learned from a book or in a classroom of UMD. I think the opportunity to work hands-on with community health professionals was extremely eye-opening and gave me a much better perspective as to what the expectations are for emerging health professionals.

     Not only did I gain the hands-on experience of what it’s like to work as a health professional, I also had the opportunity to earn several certifications during my internship with the Red Cross. I became certified to teach CPR/AED for the professional rescuer and I used this certification to gain experience with teaching. This was a very exciting part of my internship experience because I’ve realized I really enjoy teaching and I think this certification will be helpful if I decide to pursue a career related to teaching. I was also able to get re-certified as a First Responder and I had the opportunity to work as a first responder at several Red Cross events. Although I’m not sure I will pursue a career in emergency medicine, I think this was a great learning experience for me and helped me meet and network with people working in different health disciplines. Overall I’m very glad I had this internship experience with the American Red Cross and I feel like I am better prepared for whatever comes next in my career as a community health professional.

Internship Accomplishments

Responsibility III: Implement Health Education 

Competency 3.1: Implement a Plan of Action

• Sub-Competency 3.1.3: Use strategies to ensure cultural competence in implementing health education plans

• Sub-Competency 3.1.7: Launch plan of action 

When teaching classes, I used a variety of instructional methods and techniques (oral, electronic, etc.) for communicating CPR/AED course and First Responder course content. Before and after class I also assisted with set-up and take-down of First Responder course (Set-up manikins, stethoscopes, oxygen tanks, blood pressure cuffs, etc). I responded to requests for health related information by answering questions, supplying health-related materials and handouts, and constructing study-aids for students in the First Responder course. I assisted with hands-on skills practice and helped develop emergency scenarios in First Responder Course. Outside of the classroom, I was responsible for set-up and inventory for multiple Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team events. I stocked jump-kits to be used by Emergency Medical Professionals and ensured adequate supplies would be sent to EMS team events.

Responsibility IV: Conduct Evaluation and Research Related to Health Education

Competency 4.3: Collect and Analyze Evaluation/Research Data

• Sub-Competency: 4.3.1: Collect data based on the evaluation/research plan 

• Sub-Competency 4.3.6: Apply ethical standards in collecting and analyzing data

I collected and recorded a variety of data related to American Red Cross EMS team events. I input monthly EMS Team event statistics, including number of patients seen and transported per event. I tracked this information in order to assist with/improve EMS event planning in the future. I also input and tracked Emergency Medical System (EMS) team Continuing Education Unit (CEU) hours into excel spreadsheet. Lastly, I tracked staff hours for the Red Cross EMS department and created spreadsheets to help determine whether contract agreements with the EMS department and outside agencies are still cost-effective 

Responsibility V: Administer & Manage Health Education Strategies, Interventions, & Programs

Competency 5.2: Obtain Acceptance and support for Programs

• Sub-Competency 5.2.1: Use communication strategies to obtain program support

I was responsible for coordinating an EMS team event from start to finish. First, I corresponded with representatives from the Otto Bock Healthcare organization, in order to enlist their cooperation with the Red Cross and support for the upcoming EMS event (TODD Field day). I also designed a contract for an EMS event which outlined Red Cross responsibilities, as well as the responsibilities of the organization requesting Red Cross services. This contract was used to obtain support for their upcoming program with Otto Bock Healthcare.

Competency 5.4: Manage Human Resources 

• Sub-Competency 5.4.2: Demonstrate leadership skill in managing human resources

• Sub-Competency 5.4.5: Recruit volunteers and staff

I utilized the Red Cross database to post an online request for volunteer participation in upcoming event with Otto Bock Healthcare. Corresponded with members of organization participating in TODD Field Day EMS event to impart information that was used in assisting EMS team volunteers in locating/parking at the event, setting-up, and staffing the event.

Responsibility VI: Serve as a Health Education Resource Person

Competency 6.1: Obtain and Disseminate Health-Related Information

• Sub-competency 6.1.4: Convey health-related information to priority populations.

I Developed and implemented lesson plans pertaining to a variety of subjects in Emergency Medicine (AED’s, CPR, rescue breathing, etc.). I also developed several hypothetical emergency scenarios for use in skills practice during First Responder course. I also volunteered as a First Responder with the Red Cross EMS team. As a volunteer, I provided care to a variety of patients, provided patients and patients family members with relevant health information and wrote patient reports for incidents related to event environment and equipment.

Responsibility VII: Communicate 7 Advocate for Health and Health Education

Competency 7.6: Promote the Health Education Profession

• Sub-competency 7.6.6: Facilitate professional growth of self and others

• Sub-competency 7.6.9: Engage in professional development activities

I earned and used my First Responder Certification, as well as my CPR/AED for professional rescuer instructor certification.

Internship Objectives

 Objectives:

• Objective 1: By the end of my internship experience with The American Red Cross I will have successfully taught 1 or more First Responder Courses.       

                                       

• Objective 2: While interning with the American Red Cross I will serve as a First Responder at 2 or more EMS team events.

              

•  Objective 3: During my internship experience with the American Red Cross I will successfully input and track EMS Team volunteer hours. 

• Objective 4: During my internship experience with the American Red Cross I will successfully input and track EMS Team event statistics. 

• Objective 5: During my internship experience with the American Red Cross, I will assist with the implementation of at least 3 health-related events put on by the EMS Team.

• Objective 6: While interning with the American Red Cross I will successfully coordinate an EMS event from start to finish.