Hourly Project Assistant II (Internship)

Compensation Grade:

Compensation Details:

Positions with a designated work location in New York City, Nassau, Rockland, Suffolk, or Westchester Counties will receive a $4,000 annual downstate adjustment (pro-rated for part-time positions).

Department

Job Description:

Responsibilities
Health Research, Inc. is seeking an Hourly Project Assistant II to improve the Newborn Screening (NBS) Program's existing parent-specific educational materials regarding the disorders included on the NBS panel. The incumbent will assist with literature reviews and create parent-specific educational fact sheets for the disorders on the NBS panel. Literature reviews will focus on the symptoms, prognosis, diagnostic methods, treatment options, frequency, causes, inheritance pattern, resources, and other names for each disorder. The incumbent will assess educational resources provided by other state NBS programs and national organizations. This information will be used to create educational fact sheets specifically intended for parents/families. These fact sheets must present the educational content in an accessible and understandable format. These fact sheets will be available to external stakeholders on our website and may be included in communications with pediatricians when babies have abnormal NBS results. The incumbent will assist with daily programmatic functions such as sorting and preparing outgoing mail correspondence, sorting and scanning incoming documentation, and contacting hospitals and healthcare providers when repeat newborn screens are needed. The incumbent will work in collaboration with public health program staff.

The New York State (NYS) NBS Program is a public health service provided by the Department of Health to families with newborn babies. The NBS Program provides screening for over 50 health disorders, many of which present with no clinical symptoms at birth. These disorders may be life-threatening or result in serious developmental disability. The NBS Program aims to detect babies at risk for these disorders prior to them becoming symptomatic, so that families can be connected with early diagnostic testing and treatment. The goal is to help these babies to live as long and healthily as possible. The success of the NBS Program depends on close partnerships with stakeholders such as families, pediatricians, clinical specialists, hospital staff, and local public health officials. Families of newborns often look to the NBS Program for information about the disorders on the panel, especially when babies have positive newborn screens.

The Hourly Project Assistant II will apply their skills in analysis, writing, design, and teamwork. The incumbent will search for and evaluate sources of scientific literature to accumulate a body of knowledge for each disorder on the NBS panel. The incumbent will apply their skills in analysis, organization, and critical thinking in evaluating the current data on each disorder, looking for common themes, discrepancies an outliers. The incumbent will use their editing skills to create an education document that balances scientific content with accessibility and readability. Design and formatting skills will be employed to create a fact sheet that is visually appealing and follows organization-specific guidelines.

The Hourly Project Assistant II will become familiar with navigating the ever-changing landscape of medical literature and creating audience-appropriate deliverables for an organization with internal branding and content requirements. The position will provide the individual with experience working in a large public health program, nurturing relationships with stakeholders, and developing educational resources for parents. This project gives the incumbent the opportunity to have a significant impact on the families of newborns in New York State, particularly those seeking additional information about the disorders on the NBS panel after an abnormal newborn screen.

This position is part of the Pathways to Public Health Internship Program and the purpose is to strengthen career pathways to public health by bringing together individuals of all disciplines and academic levels with public health professionals to create a space of exploration, learning, and development.

Minimum Qualifications
Currently enrolled in a relevant training program or pursuing a related degree or certificate in a related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite products
• Experience performing literature review
• Experience developing written materials for the scientific community and general public
• Experience or coursework in genetics, communication, quality improvement, public health, and social and behavioral aspects of public health
• Experience or coursework in graphic design or creation of flyers/brochures

Conditions of Employment

Hourly, grant funded position expected to last through 05/08/2026. Compliance with funding requirements such as time and effort reporting, grant deliverables, and contract deliverables, is required.

Valid and unrestricted authorization to work in the U.S. is required. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Travel, up to 10% of the time, will be required.

The selected candidate must reside within a reasonable commuting distance of the official work location specified in the job posting and must also be located in or willing to relocate to one of the following states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Vermont, or Massachusetts, prior to hire. Telecommuting will not be available.

HRI participates in the E-Verify Program.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer/Qualified Individuals with Disabilities/Qualified Protected Veterans

www.healthresearch.org

About Health Research, Inc.

Join us in our mission to make a difference in public health and advance scientific research! At Health Research, Inc. (HRI), your work will contribute to meaningful change and innovation in the communities we serve! At HRI, we are on a mission to transform the health and well-being of the people of New York State through innovative partnerships and cutting-edge public health initiatives. As a dynamic non-profit organization, HRIplays a crucial role in advancing the strategic goals of the New York State Department of Health (DOH), Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (RPCCC), and other health-related entities.