View of the Reno Sparks night skyline from Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
View of the Reno Sparks night skyline from Rancho San Rafael Regional Park
County Home => Health => Student Opportunities

Student Opportunities

The Washoe County Health District provides field study opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at the following educational institutions:

  • Orvis Nursing School (OSN)
  • University of Nevada School of Medicine (UNSOM)
  • University of Nevada Reno (UNR) School of Community Health Sciences
All of these opportunities are un-paid internships. Click on the area of interest below for a list of available field study projects and corresponding contact information:

Community and Clinical Health Services +
Insight Data Dictionary Project
Description: Clinical and Community Health Services (CCHS) uses an Insight database for collecting all their client information for all clinics. The system was set up 8 years ago and now staff is increasing efficiencies in all clinics and making changes. The need for a complete data dictionary and data cleaning of all fields has become essential. This project entails student review table by table through Insight to identify fields currently used by each program, the meanings of all values, and completing definitions of the variables. The student will use Insight, Excel and possibly SPSS to complete this task.

Program Objectives:
  1. Update system data dictionary with project one
    1. FPC STIS
    2. STD STIS
    3. FPC * TB CRT
    4. STD CRT
  2. Complete tables used by all clinics
    1. Registration table
      1. MPFILE
      2. ADMFILE
      3. AMFILE
    2. Lab table
      1. LABFILE
      2. TBLABTST
    3. Encounter tables
      1. ENDFILE
      2. ENHFILE
    4. Appointments
      1. PADFILE
      2. CPDFILE
    5. Patient Accounts
      1. ARFILE
      2. CHHFILE
      3. FIHFILE
  3. Complete STD Clinic tables
    1. STD module tables
      1. STDDFILE
      2. STDHFILE
      3. STDTX
      4. TBTX
      5. STDDX
    2. STD Counseling & PT Ed
  4. Complete TB clinic files
    1. TB modules tables
      1. ITBCFILE
      2. ITBHX
      3. ITBHFILE
      4. ITBVFILE
      5. ITBDFILE
      6. ITBDIAGHIST
      7. IMFILE
      8. ITBCD
    2. TB Index Case
    3. TB Contact Investigation
  5. Complete FPC Clinic tables
    1. Problem List
    2. Pregnancy test (V_notes_ptv)
    3. Pill/Patch/Depo form
    4. Emergency Contraception (V_notes_ec)
    5. FP Clinic IUD/IUS Insertion Procedure
    6. Visit Summary
    7. Nursing Notes
    8. Chlamydia and/or Gonorrhea Treatment Form (V_NOTES_ChlRx)
    9. Infection Check Form
    10. IUD Check
    11. Medication Form
    12. STIS form
    13. Female Physical Exam
    14. HIV_Testing
  6. Complete HV tables
Contacts: Sharon Clodfelter, Biostatistician, sclodfelter@washoecounty.us
Steve Kutz, PHN Supervisor, skutz@washoecounty.us

Maternal and Child Health +
Maternal and Child Health Coalition of Northern Nevada: Coalition Development
Description: Assist the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Coalition of Northern Nevada improve communications, ensure member education and increase membership. The MCH Coalition recently developed a website for communication, networking, educational information and provision of community information. A large part of the internship will be helping the group to update this website. In the process an intern will learn about local and state groups working in the area of MCH, MCH focused programs, and how coalitions operate.

Objectives:
  • Develop links to MCH and national programs such as Txt 4 Baby and the Home Visitation Initiative.
  • Develop links to Nevada State Health Division website for MCH, with assistance locating the 5 year Needs Assessment, Title 5 Block Grant Narrative, MCH Advisory Board and other pages.
  • Update website with materials suggested by members and content relevant to emerging MCH issues such as Lifespan Health and Preconception Health
    • Work with intern developing preconception health survey and information dissemination
    • If MCH epidemiology project is chosen, present summary online
  • Coordinate educational presentations for meetings
  • Work with coalition members to increase participation and membership in coalition meetings
    • Survey members and potential members
    • Follow up with new members on interests and activity areas

Contact: Candy Hunter, 775-328-2628 or chunter@washoecounty.us

Currently, the Health District is not permitted to serve as an internship site for students enrolled in other UNR schools, educational institutions not listed above, or K-12.