Internships and Involvement

Student Health Advisory Committee

The Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) is an advisory committee made up of diverse, caring and energetic students who serve to promote and ensure the quality of health care at UW-Whitewater. Because of the diversity of the student population, SHAC helps to represent an equal range of members from various backgrounds and interests. For information about how to become a member of SHAC, please call 262-472-1300. 

SHAC Meetings are held on Thursday, 3:30pm - 4:30pm at Ambrose Health Center, 1st Floor Conference Room, on the following dates for Fall 2022: September 29, October 20, November 10 and December 1. 

Mission

To provide a link between students and those providing health services to students on the UWW Campus.

Vision

We are committed to the following:

• Creating and maintaining a partnership between UHCS and the students it serves
• Informing students of the value of good health practices
• Encouraging students to practice good life-long health habits so they can obtain maximum benefit from their college education
• Making students aware of the services available at UHCS
• Advising UHCS on areas in which its services can be made more useful to students
• Advising UHCS on the effectiveness of printed and internet-based health education material
• Annually review the Health Services proposed budget and provide comment on the budget. Comments provided will be forwarded in writing to the Division of Student Affairs.
• Discuss insurance questions with health service administrators, with an emphasis on selecting a policy that offers the best benefits within the established premium range.

Values

• We value student involvement in making recommendations on practices that affect them
• We value accessibility of services to all students
• We value confidentiality and professionalism in health service delivery

Benefits

• Firsthand experience with a health care organization
• Meet people with similar interests
• Involvement with a prestigious organization
• Personal and Professional development
• Learn up-to-date information about important health issues and career opportunities
• Direct involvement with planning and program decisions involving UHCS

Direct Care Internship

University Health and Counseling Services (UHCS) is accepting applications for internships as described below. Please review all information, guidelines & links if interested in applying.

• Work experience opportunities in Health Promotion
• List of Medical and Nursing Schools
• Description of Health Care Specialties
• Careers in Medical Technology
• Physical Therapy Careers

Guidelines and Deadlines for Applications:

• Fall Semester: April 30
• Spring Semester: October 15
• No late applications accepted.
• Meeting the deadline does NOT guarantee placement.Candidates will be contacted in order to schedule an interview prior to the close of the priority registration deadline.
• Students are encouraged to begin assembling their application materials the semester prior to their desired semester for the internship.
• A final decision for an internship will be made only after the application is completely submitted, including student's references.
• Internship is open for 2 credits only, which equates to approximately 6 hours/week spent in clinic during the hours of 8:00am - Noon and 1:00pm - 4:30pm. You must be available for 3-4 hour blocks of time during these clinic hours in order to meet the requirements of this internship.
• A mandatory orientation for all new interns takes place the week prior to the start of the semester

Application materials include:

• A brief cover letter explaining your interest in an internship and what you hope to learn/accomplish from the experience
• Your Resume
• Two completed reference check forms sent directly from your reference to Michelle Larson (UW-Whitewater, UHCS, 800 W. Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190 or email to larsonm@uww.edu), with contact information. One reference should be from on campus, and one from off campus.
• A completed Biology Intern Application, found at the site listed below, along with further information from the biology department
  https://www.uww.edu/documents/colleges/cls/Departments/Biology/New%20internship%20application.pdf
• Candidates will be contacted following the submission deadline
• Preferred method of application is electronically to Michelle Larson at larsonm@uww.edu.

Description of Internship:
The intern will assist direct care staff in providing health care services to students at University Health and Counseling Services (UHCS). UHCS provides confidential outpatient care of minor illnesses and injuries, preventive medicine, health education, and reproductive care. Interns will receive class credit for their internship.

An internship is an excellent way of gaining experience that will:

• Allow you to become a part of and assist in streamlining the healthcare delivery process.
• Help you make an informed choice among the potential career opportunities available in biology.
• Teach you how to create educational materials for displays, brochures, or programs.
• Make you a more attractive candidate for professional programs, graduate programs, and future job opportunities.
• Allow you to gain knowledge about basic skills that will be helpful in future careers. You will learn:
  • to take vital signs - such as blood pressure, pulse, and respirations.
  • how to obtain brief medical histories.
  • how to access the resources available at the UHCS.
  • the roles of medical practitioners such as Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Medical Assistants, Physical Therapist, and Laboratory Personnel.

Goals of Internship at UHCS

1. Interact with patients as part of the health care team.
2. Experience with the health care system's confidentiality and privacy requirements.
3. Become familiar with the roles of different health care professionals.
4. Gain primary care lab experience.
5. Learn to obtain vital signs such as temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, and blood pressure.
6. Learn to perform and document initial screening procedures, obtaining presenting symptoms.
7. Become familiar with the use of the health care record and with basic documentation.
8. Become involved in patient education for specific topics to be determined by the intern's interest and experience.
9. Work cooperatively with your assigned clinical preceptor in choosing and progressing with your project (within time constraints and quality requirements).

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Last Updated: 8/4/2020