Public Health MORE Program Intern

DESCRIPTION: 

The following position is offered as a field placement through the Region IV Public Health Training Center.

*Note: This position will primarily be conducted onsite but opportunities to complete some tasks remotely will be granted.
 

The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness (LMPHW) is an accredited independent academic health department under the leadership of our chief health strategist, Connie Mendel, MPH, R.S. Our vision is a healthy Louisville where everyone and every community thrives. Our mission is to achieve health equity and improve the health and well-being of all Louisville residents and visitors. Our department is organized under four divisions: Administration, Environmental, Health services, and the Division of Population Health (DPH). These divisions deliver many services to our Louisville community including but not limited to Laboratory Services, Public Health Preparedness, Food Safety, Mosquito Control, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention, the TB Clinic, Harm Reduction Outreach Services, WIC Clinics, and Infectious Disease Prevention.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The student will be participating in the MORE Program, a structured, experiential practicum within a multidisciplinary Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) setting serving justice-involved, pregnant, postpartum, and residential treatment populations. Through supervised clinical, administrative, and observational activities, the student will engage in medication-assisted treatment, counseling, case management, peer support, and re-entry services while building competencies in ethical practice, regulatory compliance, trauma-informed care, and person-centered treatment planning within a public health and correctional-adjacent framework. Working alongside an interdisciplinary team of medical, clinical, nursing, and peer support professionals,  the student will observe and, within scope, assist with intakes, assessments, counseling sessions, dosing procedures, treatment planning, documentation, discharges, and group facilitation. The student will gain exposure to electronic medical records (Methasoft), clinical workflows, and interagency coordination, while also participating in structured self-reflection, professional development, and 
targeted learning related to stigma reduction, recovery capital, lived experience, and evidence-based approaches (CBT, DBT, MI). Active participation in supervision, team meetings, and educational sessions is expected, with an emphasis on professionalism, confidentiality, and compliance with applicable 
regulations, supporting the development of foundational competencies in addiction medicine and behavioral health and strengthening the student’s ability to provide compassionate, effective care to individuals with opioid use disorder, particularly those navigating justice involvement and community 
re-entry.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary clinical team, including medical, counseling, nursing, and peer support staff
• Willingness to work in correctional, residential, and justice-involved treatment settings
• Ability to interact professionally with men and women who may be actively using substances, 
experiencing withdrawal, in recovery, or diagnosed with substance use disorders
• Comfortable working in environments with strict policies, structure, and regulatory requirements
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries, ethical conduct, and respectful communication at all times
• Commitment to confidentiality, including compliance with HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and agency policies
• Openness to working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences, including trauma-informed populations
• Reliability and ability to travel between partner facilities, as required
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to accurately type, document, and follow clinical documentation standards
• Willingness to learn:
     - MOUD principles (methadone, buprenorphine, naloxone)
     - EMR systems (Methasoft training provided)
     - Public-health–based recovery models and evidence-based practices
• Willingness to receive feedback, participate in supervision, and engage in self-reflection
 

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Strong working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Coursework or prior experience in:
     - Substance Use Disorders (SUD/AUD)
     - Behavioral health, counseling, social work, psychology, or public health
     - Criminal justice or correctional systems
• Familiarity with or interest in: Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT/MOUD), Harm reduction and recovery-oriented care, Trauma-informed approaches
• Exposure to electronic medical records (EMR) or clinical documentation systems
• Ability to manage competing responsibilities within a structured clinical environment
• Curiosity, professionalism, and willingness to engage in experiential learning activities

THE STUDENT WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASSIST WITH THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES:
• Gaining exposure to Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) care across correctional, residential, and other justice-involved settings.
• Building competency as an ethical, trauma-informed professional working with individuals experiencing substance use disorders.
• Expanding understanding of public health–based recovery models, including harm reduction, medication-assisted treatment, and re-entry services.
• Preparing for professional practice through hands-on clinical experience, structured supervision, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Promoting empathy and reducing stigma toward justice-involved individuals and those living with substance use disorders.
 

PUBLIC HEALTH COMPETENCIES/SKILLS STUDENT MAY STRENGTHEN DURING PLACEMENT:
1. Community Partnership /Engagement
2. Cross-sector Partnerships
3. Problem Solving
4. Effective Communication
5. Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
 

TRAVEL: Yes (The student will travel as necessary to perform outreach in the community)

POSITION TYPE: Region IV Public Health Training Center Field Placements (for MPH/MSPH students)
 

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY:
Preference will be given to masters or doctoral level public health graduate students. Undergraduate public health students as well as graduate students studying social work or psychology may also be considered. Past recipients of the Pathways to Practice Award are not eligible to apply again.
 

• Please include a cover letter with the following:
     - The semesters you are applying for (Fall 2026)
     - The title of the position you are applying to
     - Citizenship or permanent resident visa status
• Please include a resume with the following:
     - The name and department of your degree program
     - Year of study
     - Expected graduation date
• Please also include the following with your application:
     - Unofficial Transcript
 

WORK AUTHORIZATION: U.S. Citizen, Permanent U.S. Resident
Citizenship statement: The Region IV Public Health Training Center is a federally-funded program which has a citizenship requirement. To be eligible to apply for this position, you must be either a U.S. citizen, a non-citizen U.S. national, or a foreign national having in your possession a visa permitting permanent 
residence in the U.S. 

AWARD LEVEL: $3,500 award
* Note: Travel costs will not be covered by the program beyond the total $3,500 award. 

APPROXIMATE HOURS PER WEEK & DURATION: 15-20 hours a week for 15 weeks.
*Students may be limited in the minimum or maximum number of hours they can work per semester based on their university, school or degree’s policies. If this work will also be used as a graduation requirement, the student should verify those requirements and abide by their university policies.

 
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Please read the “Student Scholar Field Placement Guidebook” for more details about the Pathways to Practice Scholars Program and requirements. It is located on the Field Placements page of the Region IV PHTC website: https://r4phtc.org/field-placements/
 

HOW TO APPLY:
Please submit the required documents following specifications above (unofficial transcript, resume, and cover letter indicating the agency name and citizenship/visa status) to Elizabeth Kidwell, elkidwell@emory.edu with the subject line “Fall 2026 Applicant: KY LMPHW”

*PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT THE AGENCY DIRECTLY