Nature and Purpose
    The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center is one of the largest community health centers on the East Coast serving over 250,000 patient visits per year.  Serving an ethnically and culturally diverse community, the health center offers a complete range of services, from Pediatrics to Geriatrics. PULSE students may opt to divide their time in two areas.

Tasks
Pediatrics
 *‘CATCH’ - (Children’s Access to Coordinated Healthcare) is an innovative program serving children with complex medical needs and their families. You will be matched with a family to provide support, socialization, and recreational activities with a child & practical and emotional support to the caregiver.
 *Mentoring/Tutoring – serves children who are isolated, at risk, having trouble acculturating, or having difficulty with school work.  Meet weekly with child(ren) to provide homework assistance and be a positive role model. 
 *Mom and Tots Program- a program providing education and support to “at risk” families.  Assist with planning and overseeing a scheduled play group (Wed. 10am to 12pm) which focuses on building self-esteem and confidence in children.  Provides some telephone outreach to Moms. 
      *Adventures in Reading - Read one on one or in small groups to a culturally diverse group of children in waiting rooms. Help foster a love of reading and be a role model to parents.  Students will do Reading in combination with another program option.
Elder Service Plan   (an innovative, community based alternative to Nursing Home care).  Student may visit an elder one on one, run a small group activity in an Adult Day Health Center, provide companionship to and from medical appointments.
Patient Services Adult medicine, Specialties, Laboratory and Lobby.  Students will greet, escort, direct patients, ease wait, assist with phones, chart prep, and serve as a liaison between patients, significant others, and the Health Center staff.
Project Shine -HIV Services -Assist in providing comprehensive patient services.  With a case manager, meet with patients to assess basic needs (housing, healthcare, insurance, detox, community agency referral).  Provide concrete support services to help ensure compliance and increase quality of life.  Examples:  Escort to appointments, practical support such as shopping / errands with/or for client.  Assist with Outreach & Education and administering “Quality of Life” surveys.
Medical Interpreting Provides exposure to a busy inner-city clinic. Students who fluently speak other languages can interpret for patients in all departments throughout EBNHC. 

Time Requirement
    A two semester commitment is preferred.  Flexible days/hours (possible evenings and weekends), depending upon position.

Supervision/Training
     Formal training for all participating in the Mentor/Tutor and CATCH programs will be held on Sat., Sept. 30 from 10am-3pm.  PULSE students will receive comprehensive Health Center training and department/ role specific training.  All students are required to provide weekly update phone calls to the Volunteer Services Department.

Supervisors:    Kathy Field 
                         Leanne Sasso

Address
East Boston Neighborhood Health Center 
10 Gove Street 
East Boston, MA 02128 
568-4865 
568-4655

Council Member
Jessica Franco
 

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