2026 Summer Internship

Description

Summer Internship Opportunity
Philadelphia, PA
$18/hour

Length: 8 weeks beginning in June 2026

Full-time

WHO WE ARE:

Delaware Valley Community Health is a community-focused health care organization providing affordable, accessible, primary medical, dental and behavioral health care and preventive services to the uninsured and underinsured patients in its service area. Services are provided in a fiscally responsible manner to all patients regardless of their ability to pay.

As a reflection of our commitment to the community, we:

• Believe in the dignity of each individual, and therefore provide a qualified, competent health care delivery team that is culturally sensitive, friendly and respectful;
• Promote a supportive, team-oriented work environment, with opportunities for growth and continuing education;
• Recognize that environmental, emotional and social factors affect the health and well-being of the individuals we serve, and offer comprehensive services in collaboration with other community agencies and,
• Acknowledge and respond to the need for urban-based medical training opportunities through affiliation agreements with graduate medical education programs, medical schools, nursing schools and allied health institutions.

POSITION PURPOSE:

This paid internship provides a hands-on opportunity to engage in civic engagement and advocacy work within Delaware Valley Community Health (DVCH), a Federally Qualified Health Center serving underserved communities. The intern will support initiatives that connect patients, staff, and providers to the civic process as a driver of health outcomes, with a focus on nonpartisan voter engagement, health policy awareness, and community empowerment.

Interns will function as entry-level, paid team members embedded within DVCH’s advocacy and administrative infrastructure. They will contribute to real-world projects that advance organizational priorities related to patient engagement, 340B sustainability, and community voice. Each intern is paired with a supervisor or mentor who provides ongoing feedback, guidance, and a formal evaluation. 

KEY FUNCTION AREAS KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Business/Industry

• Develop and implement nonpartisan civic engagement strategies that support patient understanding of the democratic process.
• Create patient-facing materials that explain how government impacts healthcare, what appears on the ballot, and how to engage in civic action.
• Support the development of a scalable patient advocacy resource with long-term organizational value.
• Update and expand internal Advocacy 101 resources to improve staff understanding of government roles and healthcare policy.
• Contribute to the creation and maintenance of a centralized advocacy resource hub on the DVCH intranet.
• Coordinate outreach and distribution of Vot-ER badges across providers and clinical sites.
• Identify opportunities to integrate civic engagement into clinical workflows in a compliant and nonpartisan manner.
• Support patient and staff outreach efforts through social media, text messaging, and on-site engagement.
• Coordinate and execute community outreach activities, including focus groups and tabling events.
• Assist in planning and facilitating internal staff engagement initiatives that reinforce a culture of advocacy.
• Participate in mentorship sessions and professional development activities to build skills in communication, policy, and program execution.
• Engage with staff and leadership to gain exposure to healthcare operations, public policy, and community health strategy.  

Candidate Profile: 

This role is intended for college-level students with an interest in civic engagement, healthcare, or public service. Preferred fields of study include Communications, Political Science, Public Health, Public Policy, Liberal Arts, English, or Media/Journalism. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong communication skills, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to translate complex concepts into clear, accessible information.

DVCH is an EOE/Veterans/Disabled/LGBTQ+ employer. For more information about DVCH and other opportunities, visit us online here

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION, AND KNOWLEDGE:

• High school Junior or above (minimum 16 years old), or
• Currently pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree from a 2 or 4-year college or university, or
• Current Graduate Student.
• There are no formal work experience requirements for this role; relevant experience or comparable education and experience in field of interest preferred.
• Prior experience with Microsoft Office Suite required.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills required.