Informational interview ppt
- 2. Shana M. Madden Shana works as a Community Health Worker through Greenville Health Systems at the Extension Office. I asked her fifteen questions that gave me a better idea about what she does on a daily basis and what types of training are required to become a Community Health Worker. Date of interview: May 20th 2016
- 3. What personal qualities or abilities are important to being successful? First, being caring and open minded with all patients in Public Health is extremely important. Also, remembering that others live differently than you and me is critical as well. Organization is important with patient information because of its confidentiality. Multi tasking is a good quality to have in this program since it is new and job requirements are always changing. I work on extension programming and then switch roles to see patients.
- 4. How did you get this position? What are common career paths? Dr. Dye and Jenny, a Nurse Practitioner I worked with in the Sullivan Center during my internship both reached out and suggested that I apply. They felt I was a great fit for the position and I am thankful that they saw my potential. Other students in my field took positions in primary care offices or went on to graduate school.
- 5. What types of training do companies offer persons entering this field? There is always the opportunity to go back and further your education. Obviously, they offered me my CHW training. I have had training specific to our team as well. I think that I will get my Certificate of Behavioral Analysis at some point. That would be beneficial with this population. Also, I would love to obtain my Masters degree. The benefit of being an employee at Clemson is the opportunity to take some classes and pay no tuition.
- 6. What areas of knowledge are most important for advancement in this field? What degrees? Certification? A background in Population Health/Public Health is important. Also, the Community Health Worker Certification and Mental Health First Aid certifications have been very helpful with this population. I do not have this certification but would recommend the CHES (Certified Health Educator Specialist) test if you have time to take it. The skills you learned in pre-internship can also be used in a position such as this one. I have used all my skills I learned while working on the Mobile Health Clinic. (Blood pressure, finger pricks, pulse, temp, etc.)
- 7. If you were starting out again, would you do anything differently? I would have searched for a job in my field as soon as possible. I had a job in a great DME provider’s office but I think this could have caused me to miss out on opportunities in the health education field.
- 8. What do you do on a typical day in this position? Each day in this position can be different. Some days are office days that consist of logging my Cumis time, mileage, responding to emails/voicemails, calling/charting patients, staff meetings, etc. Other days I am out visiting patients or helping out at the Mobile Health Clinic. I also participate in monthly meetings with GHS and also work with the Neighborhood Health Partners Team in their office.
- 9. How many hours do you typically work each week? Do you often work in the evenings or weekends? My hours are Monday through Friday 8:00am-4:30pm. This job can always require after hours for trainings, programs, and even helping patients.
- 10. What is a typical starting salary? Average salary? Other benefits? I think an average salary is around $32,000. Benefits for working at Clemson are the health insurance and the retirement.
- 11. What are the geographic restrictions in this field? How much are you required to travel? There are areas that are considered to be food deserts, in which good grocery stores are not nearby. However, the five medical neighborhoods I serve are all within Greenville County.
- 12. What is unique about your organization? Our organization is unique because it brings the education to the people. It is amazing how many people do not know what the Extension program is or how it can help them.
- 13. Is there a demand for people in this occupation? There is always a shortage for agents in the Extension program. In the health field in general there is always a demand because unfortunately we will always deal with sickness and disease. I think there will always be a need for people in this career field.
- 14. What is the "corporate culture" here, i.e. is it formal, informal, do people work autonomously, does everyone come early, stay late? We all work the same hours unless we go out for programs and trainings that are specific to us. Occasionally, some employees will stay late if working on a program that is at night. Also, we sometimes have to work around a patient’s schedule and that may be after hours.
- 15. Is your organization expanding, shrinking or maintaining? Who are the competitors in this field? In the business world such as GHS there will always be competitors. In the Extension, we all try to work with other partners in the state to achieve the same goal, which is to help patients.
- 16. What are the professional journals in this field that I should read? I just keep up with current health and wellness topics and chronic conditions that may be on the rise.
- 17. What special advice would you give a person entering in this field? If someone wanted to work as a Health Extension Agent, I would suggest a Bachelors in Health Education/Promotions or Public/Population Health. Also, the CHES certification, the CHW certification if given, and the Mental Health First Aid would be beneficial. All of those are certifications I have obtained and used since taking the position.