Internship Position for Building Climate-ready - Vancouver, Canada - PHSA

PHSA

Verified Company

Vancouver, Canada

3 days ago

Posted by:

Sophia Lee

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Description

Internship Position for Building Climate-Ready Health Systems
Health Emergency Management BC

Vancouver, BC

Post-secondary students, if you're seeking a summer internship opportunity to support climate change initiatives, this incredible role with Health Emergency Management British Columbia (HEMBC) is for you Immersed in a season readiness project, you'll cultivate in-depth knowledge of climate resilience strategies within the health care sector as you work across multiple Health Authorities in British Columbia.

This role offers hands-on work to develop project management and analytical skills through managing projects, using relevant project management tools and resources.

As project intern, you'll have multiple opportunities to enhance communication and presentation skills by interacting with a diverse range of professionals and partners.

Who we are

HEMBC is an integrated program of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) dedicated to providing essential emergency management leadership to the health system.

We provide expertise, education, tools, and support for the BC health authorities to effectively mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from the impacts of emergency events, ensuring the continuity of health services.

Working directly with these facilities and programs, we support a range of activities, including development of emergency plans, training and education, emergency exercises, emergency response, recovery, and after action and lessons learned processes.

The Lower Mainland team supports a region that is home to 65% of the province's population that is served by three health authorities, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), Providence Health (PHC), and Fraser Health (FH), as well as PHSA and First Nations Health Authority, responding to the unique challenges, needs, and collaboration of the Lower Mainland Health Authorities (LMHAs) and the populations they serve.

Project

Our seasonal readiness initiative, in collaboration with VCH, PHC, and FH, focuses on enhancing the resilience of health care systems against climate-related challenges.

By working closely with groups from Public Health, Long-term Care/Assisted Living, Acute, Home Health/Home Support, Mental Health & Substance Use, Indigenous Health & Safety, and Priority Populations, this initiative aims to develop comprehensive seasonal readiness plans and supporting resources to improve system preparedness.

The Seasonal Readiness Committee emerged out of the unprecedented June 2021 heat dome, which caused severe health impacts regionally.

This extreme weather event - alongside others in the same year - illustrated the cascading impacts of climate change and highlighted the need for more robust health and emergency response systems.

The formation of the Seasonal Readiness committee was a direct response, aiming to foster resilience to seasonal hazards through comprehensive planning, response, and mitigation strategies.

The goal of the seasonal readiness initiative is to foster a climate-resiliency to the increasing demands posed by extreme weather events, ensuring the health and well-being of the communities we serve.

What you'll do

The intern will play a crucial role in supporting the development and enhancement of seasonal readiness plans and governance across the health system.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a project that directly impacts the resilience of health care services in the face of climate change.

The intern will gain hands-on experience in analyzing existing plans, supporting interdisciplinary working groups, working with LMHAs, and presenting findings to key stakeholders.

Main tasks include:
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Review and analyze existing plans: Conduct a thorough analysis of current seasonal readiness plans within VCH, PHC, and FH, identifying key gaps and areas for improvement.
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Support working groups: Track the establishment of and actively participate in working group meetings, facilitating knowledge exchange among health care staff across different health authorities.
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Present key findings: Prepare and deliver presentations on the gap analysis and recommendations for enhancing all-hazard plans to HEMBC, ensuring accessibility and comprehension among stakeholders.
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General support: Assist the team with ad hoc requests, response efforts, and regular program services

What you bring

Qualifications:

Currently completing postsecondary education in a field of study such as emergency management, public health, climate change, environmental studies, or a related discipline.
Previous experience in research, analysis, or a related field is beneficial but not required.

Skills

Strong research and analytical skills, excellent communication skills, and a keen eye for detail. Familiarity with emergency management principles and the health care system is an asset.
Proficient in using online administrative tools such as Microsoft Office S