CDC Health Policy Internship
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
An internship opportunity is available with the Office of Laboratory Science and Safety (OLSS) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in Atlanta, Georgia.
The CDC Office of Laboratory Science and Safety provides high-level oversight and coordination of critical laboratory science policies and operations, particularly those associated with laboratory safety and quality management programs. The Office is seeking a participant to collaborate with health communicators in developing and distributing content regarding laboratory safety and quality management programs to CDC staff, and to contribute to evaluation/research on the impact of those materials.
Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will have the opportunity to learn from subject matter and health policy experts on development of effective policy related to enhancing and continually improving laboratory safety and science. There will be opportunities to learn how to analyze legislation, formulate Congressional inquiries, draft testimony, and create policy affecting a wide array of laboratory-related issues. The participant will have opportunities to enhance quantitative and qualitative reasoning, critical thinking and problem solving, communication, and teamwork skills.
Other opportunities may include:
- Policy research: Contribute to researching staff knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs on laboratory safety and quality policies, identify knowledge gaps, and propose materials needed to address these knowledge gaps.
- Evaluation: Participate in tracking policy data and developing reports that document the impact of quality improvement policies
- Coordination with communication planning, material development and dissemination: Translate research and data into staff-focused materials, including writing fact sheets, web content and program stories. Contribute to planning major communication roll-out initiatives of new and updated policies.
- Partnerships: Contribute to internal partnership activities, identifying opportunities to expand collaborations and to develop new partnerships.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: June 2021; start date is flexible
This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and CDC. The initial appointment can be up to one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of CDC contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time at CDC in the Atlanta, Georgia, area. Participants do not become employees of CDC, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.
If you have questions, send an email to ORISE.CDC.OLSS@orau.org. Please include the reference code (CDC-OLSS-2021-0197-A) for this opportunity in your email.