AmeriCorps Experience
AmeriCorps ExperienceSince 1985, the mission of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program (BHCHP) has been to ensure unconditionally equitable and dignified access to the highest quality health care for all individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our community. Since 2006, we’ve been a springboard for the country’s most promising individuals starting their health care education through our participation in AmeriCorps in association with the Massachusetts Service Alliance.
Every year from September to July, BHCHP hosts at least 13 AmeriCorps Members work in every facet of our organization. If you’re looking to gain practical knowledge and experience in medicine and in public health, we want to get to know you. If you’re not interested in medicine or public health, but want to learn about what it’s like to serve a high need population, we want to get to know you. And if you aren’t sure what your next step is, but you know you want to help make the world a better place, we want to get to know you. While it’s true most of our members move on to medical school, nursing school or a public health program at the conclusion of their service, you do not need to be pre-med to serve with us!
Summary of Position:
As our newest AmeriCorps Member, you will directly serve in our outpatient and shelter-based clinics, as well as the two 24-hour medical respite facilities. The service year will run from early September 2023 until late July 2024. This is a full time, 40 hour per week role.
Your work will be heavily focused on case management and health education and will generally involve assisting patients navigating the complexities of the health care and social service system; increasing patients’ access to care; and providing translation services and health education. Your work will involve in-depth, sustained, direct contact with patients who may identify as: low income; immigrant; differently abled; transgender; survivors of domestic violence and/or community violence; single-head of household; and illiterate/limited literacy. Through your work, you will help to reduce the barriers to care by: connecting patients to health benefits programs; providing health education services; and making referrals for support services, and more.
Recruiting For Our 2023-2024 Service Year Has Begun!
In conjunction with the Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA), BHCHP is happy to announce the roles for our 2023 – 2024 cohort. Please click the links below for a full description of each role.
UPDATE May 8, 2023 – Recruiting has re-opened for the three roles listed below. If you are interested, we encourage to apply as soon as possible.
Benefits and Application Details
We seek applicants who are mature, mission-driven, enthusiastic, and have:
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, time management and writing skills
- Attention to detail,
- The ability to learn quickly and work independently,
- A history of volunteer service and/or prior health care experience (as a professional, a volunteer/intern, or in coursework), which ideally would include working with underserved populations
- Demonstrated commitment to cultural affirmation in diverse settings
- Capacity to manage multiple projects and deadlines
- A strong understanding of, and commitment to, the mission of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program and a keen understanding of the importance of service relationships to the BHCHP mission
To be eligible for AmeriCorps, you must:
- Be a citizen, permanent resident, or national of the United States;
- Be at least 18 years or older;
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent;
- Be willing to undergo National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender and FBI checks;
Questions? Want to learn more? E-mail us at americorps@bhchp.com.
For a one-year full-time commitment and minimum of 1,700 hours of AmeriCorps service, members may be eligible to receive:
- A taxable living allowance of up to $29,000
- Loan forbearance, if eligible
- If eligible, taxable Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of up to $6,095 upon successful completion of service
- Health benefits
- Child care benefits, if eligible
- Training and professional development opportunities
- Transportation stipend
Members also engage in bimonthly trainings and workshops on various topics, including food insecurity, chronic disease management, housing resources, trauma-informed care, and much more. Additionally, AmeriCorps Members are offered unique opportunities to shadow health care professionals, and are explore various health-oriented career paths.
Email americorps@bhchp.org to sign up for our mailing list and learn more about our program!
How to Apply
The recruitment process for our 2023-2024 cohort has OPENED!
Applications will be posted HERE on our Careers page! Applications will consist of CV and Resume followed by virtual interviews.
Feel free to direct your questions to americorps@bhchp.org or khayward@bhchp.org .
To learn more about AmeriCorps visit: https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/what-americorps
BHCHP is committed to providing equal opportunities. We serve and partner with diverse organizations, and are dedicated to non-discrimination. It is our policy to ensure that all individuals with whom we are in contact are treated without regard to age, color, disability, gender, marital status, national origin, religion, sexual orientation or expression, or veteran status. BHCHP welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodations for interviews and for service upon request.
My AmeriCorps experience was one of the most life-altering life steps I have taken thus far. The experience tested me and allowed me to grow in every facet of my life – increasing my knowledge of myself, enhancing my interpersonal skills, and anchoring my political awareness. As a young-professional, my AmeriCorps experience exposed me to numerous different professional trajectories, and allowed me to trial-out different roles, gifting me the clarity to discover my own professional path. I also forged connections with clients, fellow cohort members, and mentors who continue to sculpt my view of the world today. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity, experiences, and people that I met during my AmeriCorps year at BHCHP
My AmeriCorps year at BHCHP was a life changing experience. If you have any interest in homeless medicine, there is nothing like learning directly from patients. They taught me so much about the challenges & disparities that exist within our healthcare system and how critical programs like BHCHP are to improving access to care for people experiencing homelessness. They also taught me about courage, community and perseverance despite incredibly difficult circumstances. I know that my AmeriCorps experience will continue to influence me throughout medical school and my future career as a physician.
