Internship Program Information for Businesses and Organizations
The Department of Health Sciences and Administration is excited to work with local healthcare organizations in order to create strong professionals in the field through an internship experience focused on administration.
Program Information
In the Department of Health Sciences and Administration, we strive to create talented future leaders in healthcare administration. As an intern's mentor, you and your organization would assist in this goal by providing interns with experiential learning in a healthcare administration environment. Mentoring an intern is a great way to prepare future healthcare professionals for success while also giving back to the community.
What is an Internship?
For a student, an internship is an invaluable learning experience that helps identify career goals, gain knowledge, and be a productive member of an organization. For you, an internship is a great opportunity to mentor young professionals, play a direct role in creating the leaders of tomorrow, and reinforce the values of your organization. Internship opportunities can be paid or unpaid, but organizations should comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Potential internship locations are encouraged to talk to their Human Resources department to determine how internships work within their organization.
Commitment, Requirements, and Tuition Waiver Incentive Program
Mentors are asked to provide a minimum number of hours onsite with your intern. Your intern must complete the required number of hours within one semester. A typical semester lasts roughly 15 weeks, but mentors can choose to work with their intern for less than 15 weeks so long as they provide the required number of hours. Most organizations work with interns roughly 8-10 hours a week. Summer semesters are shorter than Fall/Spring so mentors are encouraged to plan accordingly.
|
Undergraduate Requirements |
Graduate Requirements |
|---|---|
| 120 hours | 180 hours |
Organizations interested in hosting an intern are asked to provide the following:
- The required number of onsite hours (Outlined in the chart above)
- A direct supervisor/mentor to whom the intern will report
- Official start date and clear instructions on first-day expectations
- A clear description of the intern's role
- Any necessary onboarding required by your organization (application process, orientation, required trainings, etc.)
Affiliation Agreements
Before an organization can host an intern, they will be asked to complete an affiliation agreement with the University of West Florida. This agreement allows mentors/supervisors and faculty to work closely to ensure the success of each intern. The affiliation agreement processing time may differ from organization to organization, so it is important to begin working on the agreement early. This paperwork only needs to be established once and may be renewed according to the organization’s discretion. The Internship Coordinator is happy to answer any additional questions regarding affiliation agreements.
The Internship Curriculum
In addition to completing an internship with your organization, interns are required to complete an online companion course (HSA 4941 Internship in Healthcare Administration). The goal of this class is to develop and understand a certain set of skills that will increase professional competencies in the following areas:
- Networking and Relationship Building
- Understanding Healthcare Industry Sectors
- Adhering to Organizational Norms/Culture
- Professional Communication
- Interpersonal Communication
- Receiving Criticism in the Workplace
- Conflict in the Workplace
- Crafting Cover Letters
- Building Resumes
- LinkedIn Development
Mentors are not required to participate in the curriculum. However, as part of professional communication and development, mentors will be asked to complete a progress report on their intern.
Frequently Asked Questions for Organizations
If you or anyone in your organization is interested in being a mentor to an intern, please contact the Department of Health Sciences and Administration Internship Coordinator (Susan Fried: sfried1@uwf.edu). The Internship Coordinator will work closely with you to determine the best plan of action.
Interns report directly to their mentor, so it is your responsibility to ensure that the intern is aware of your expectations and their role within the organization. A mentor serves as a supervisor and guide for an intern while on site. Internships should be viewed as a learning experience, but it is also important for a mentor to require professionalism from their intern. You will not only expose interns to industry experience and knowledge but also help reinforce professional competencies. You will also be asked to complete a short progress report on your intern with constructive feedback.
The number of interns you host is up to you and your organization. The Internship Coordinator is happy to work with you to determine an appropriate number of interns for your location. Consider how many mentors you can provide and how many hours they have to dedicate to an intern. Our department strives to create quality internships that offer the intern the appropriate amount of support.
No. You are welcome to determine what schedule works best for you. Mentors can participate in the program on an ongoing basis or choose to take certain semesters off. We are dedicated to making this experience just as valuable to you as it is to our interns.
The level of student and the length of the semester in which you participate determine intern hours. Undergraduate-level students are required to complete 120 hours on site and graduate-level students are required to complete 180 hours. Working with an intern over a traditional 15-week semester (Spring/Fall) results in roughly 8-10 hours a week for undergraduate-level and 12-14 hours a week for graduate-level. However, if you choose to work with a student during a summer semester, please note that the semester can last 8-13 weeks. Summer semester hours are 10-15 for undergraduate-level and 13-22 for graduate-level.
Hours met is the most important requirement of our department. If an organization wants to host an intern for shorter term than a semester, they must provide the required number of hours within their allotted timeframe. If considering this option, you are encouraged to discuss this with the Internship Coordinator.
You are only responsible for determining what the intern will do while on site. The Department of Health Sciences and Administration is responsible for any supporting curriculum that will take place outside of your organization. Please see the Internship Curriculum section above for more information.
