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. Remembering that others live differently than you and I! Organization is important with patient information that is sensitive materials. Also, in order to be a Supervisor and create schedules and turn in time it is important to be organized and on task! Multi tasking has been my best quality since I started since this is a new program and things are always changing. I work on Extension programming then switch hats and see patients! Every day it is different!
- 4. How did you get this position? What are common career paths? Dr. Dye and Jenny, a Nurse Practitioner I worked under in the Sullivan Center during my internship both reach out and suggested that I apply that they felt I was a great fit for the position. Oh how I am thankful for them! Other students in my field took positions in primary care offices or went on to further pursue their education.
- 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 such as canning, etc. I think that I will get my Certificate of Behavioral Analysis at some point. That would be beneficial with this population. Also, would love to achieve my Masters. The benefit for working at Clemson is the opportunity to take some classes for free as an employee!
- 6. What areas of knowledge are most important for advancement in this field? What degrees? Certification? Population Health/Public Health. Also, the Community Health Worker Certification and Mental Health First Aid certifications have been very helpful with this population. I do not have mine but would recommend the CHES (Certified Health Educator Specialist) test if you have time to take it. I wish I had taken mine and may still do 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 directly in my field right away. I had a job in a great DME provider’s office but I could have missed out on opportunities right away in health education. But everything works out for a reason!
- 8. What do you do on a typical day in this position? They are all 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 some days as well.
- 9. How many hours do you typically work each week? Do you often work in the evenings or weekends? My hours are M-F 8-430. 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 or any other state job is 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 they have what we consider food deserts where good grocery stores aren’t in reach but the 5 medical neighborhoods they I serve are all within Greenville Co.
- 12. What is unique about your organization? Extension is very special! It brings the education to the people. Its amazing how many people do not know what Extension is or what it even does!
- 13. Is there a demand for people in this occupation? We are always short for agents in Extension. In the health field in general there is always a demand because unfortunately we will always deal with sick and disease. There will always also be room for education.
- 14. What is the "corporate culture" here, i.e. is it formal, informal, do people work autonomously, does everyone come early, stay late? I LOVE being apart of extension. We all work the same hours unless we go out for programs and trainings that are specific to us. Some people do have to work late if working on a program that is at night or fitting time to fight a patients needs.
- 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 but with Extension we all try to work with other partners in the state to achieve the same goal, help the people!
- 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!