ACADEMIC CREDIT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

ABOUT

The Michigan Association for Healthcare Quality (MAHQ) is a Michigan Non-profit Corporation and offers virtual, unpaid* undergraduate, graduate, and professional academic institution internships starting three times per year (fall, winter/spring/summer semesters). Academic credit for internship hours and work to be completed through the MAHQ Internship Program is determined by the applicant’s academic institution. Applicants may intern with MAHQ for a single semester, or two (2) consecutive semesters as long as all internship semesters are completed prior to graduation.

GOALS

The MAHQ Internship Program is administered by the MAHQ Student Development & Education Committee. The goals of the program are to:

● Provide students with access to valuable, real work-product opportunities and training

● Provide opportunities for accomplishments and achievements that can be included on a resume

● Provide professional and “soft” skills training

● Augment academic learning

● Provide additional learning opportunities not generally taught in academic programs

● Assist students in understanding/internalizing the interplay of quality and quality improvement across all disciplines and operations in healthcare

● Assist students in understanding/internalizing the importance of volunteering for nonprofit professional support organizations in healthcare once employed in the discipline

● Provide networking, presentation, and publication opportunities

ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES SUPPORTED

MAHQ can support interns from the following academic disciplines:

● Quality improvement science

● Healthcare administration

● Public health

● Health law and policy

● Nonprofit law

● Healthcare education

● Tech – social media, marketing, public relations, website administration/design, video/audio editing, communications

● Journalism – editing and operations

● Compliance

● Significant quality improvement project proposed for any healthcare-related discipline

QUALIFICATIONS

● Attending a recognized and accredited academic institution (four-year undergraduate, graduate, or professional institution) anywhere in the world (proof of enrollment required)

● Within three (3) terms/semesters of graduating and be classified as a senior if an undergraduate, or within two (2) semesters of graduating if a graduate or professional student

● Minimum 3.0 GPA (unofficial transcript required)

● Professional level writing skills and English proficiency

● Commit to a minimum of ten (10) documented hours of work per week (generally, on the intern’s own schedule)

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

● MAHQ is an organization operated primarily by its members and volunteers, the majority of whom have full-time jobs. It is not a 9-to-5 organization, therefore MAHQ work often takes place via email and group-text communications, and via Zoom meetings in the evenings and occasionally on a weekend. Interns, like others working on behalf of MAHQ, have to be available for such evening and

weekend meetings, although are not required to be at every meeting. An intern’s hours can accommodate the intern’s personal and academic schedule with the possible exception of some meetings

● Interns must document hours and work completed and submit to their Internship Mentor weekly

● Required number of hours will be established by the intern’s academic institution (beyond the MAHQ required ten (10) minimum hours per week)

● Tech use:

o Good internet access

o Word

o Zoom

o Google Docs

o Other software as may be required: social media platforms, Canva, Later, Monday, Excel, WPS/website, YouTube, PowerPoint, Prezi, editing software, research software

● As MAHQ is an organization that promotes quality healthcare and patient safety, all interns will be required to complete the Basic Certificate in Quality and Patient Safety from the Institute for Healthcare Quality (IHI) Open School before completing the internship. This is a globally recognized quality improvement and education organization, and the short “courses” (really, small modules) are

on-demand and free. This is a resume-worthy credential, and ensures that the intern understands the basis of what MAHQ does and supports.

● Interns must keep a brief reflection journal that is submitted to their Internship Mentor with their timesheets each week

● Interns may be required to prepare a written report(s), and verbally report on the status of projects or assignments at committee or Board of Directors’ meetings

● Meet or communicate with Project Supervisor(s) at least once a week to check-in and ensure the intern is on track with their project assignment(s)

● Meet or communicate with the intern’s Internship Mentor at least once every two (2) weeks

● Dress Code is casual attire for everything except public-facing events at which the intern will be presenting or recording a presentation, training, or other educational offering

INTERNS WILL RECEIVE

● Orientation to the organization, structure, goals, time-keeping, expectations, internal communications, personnel, reporting structures, facilitate access to software or other programs as required by the project assignments (and supporting documents where required), ensure they know and can contact at least two MAHQ leaders, their Internship Mentor, and their first Project Supervisor, and answer questions

● An Internship Mentor who will guide their internship, coordinate projects, ensure the intern is finding value and achieving personal goals regarding the internship, and be available for assistance and questions. Internship Mentors are MAHQ Board Members, and they will be responsible for collecting timesheets and reflection reports, completing performance reviews (with significant input from the

Project Supervisor(s)), as well as ensuring interns are complying with all of their academic institution’s requirements

● Project Supervisor(s) who will guide the majority of the intern’s day-to-day assignments and learning

● Free access to all MAHQ educational events for the term of their internship

● An announcement of their acceptance to the internship program on MAHQ social media platforms

● A certificate of completion at the end of a successfully completed internship

● Announcement of their successful completion of the internship program on MAHQ social media platforms

● Upon successful completion of the internship, letters of recommendation if requested

*Because MAHQ is a non-profit corporation it is not required to pay interns as determined by the U.S. Dept. of Labor.

12/20