Heather Oke St. Francis Hospital Questions for Heather? Email her

Describe how you got the job.
I had heard from other HS and PT students that OSF and Methodist employ students as rehab techs and called to inquire about a summer position.  OSF usually hires an extra tech for the summer months.  My advice would be to start early.  Get your application in during March and be patient.  They take awhile to make their hiring decisions.
 
 

Describe you what you do. As a rehab tech I worked right in the rehabilitation department doing either patient transport or patient co-treats with the physical or occupational therapists.

Describe the best parts of the job.
Being in the rehab environment allowed me to gain a lot of exposure to therapy.  I got to work side by side with physical therapists and used them as a resource for advice on grad school, job market trends, etc.  I really got a wonderful grasp of what inpatient therapy is really like.  There was also a lot of patient contact.

Describe the worst parts of the job.
If you don't already have a strong stomach, you will quickly develop one!

Any advice to Health Science students regarding internships/coop/summer jobs.
Apply at a lot of places and be persistent, yet patient.
 
 

Michele Reyling Easter Seals/ UCP Questions for Michele? Email her

Describe how you got the job.  (how you heard about it, application process, etc.)
I heard about my internship at Easter Seals-UCP through the Health Science Department.  Our advisor
sent out an announcement with a job description and contact information.  After sending my cover letter and resume, I interviewed and was hired.
 

Describe you what you do. Easter Seals is a clinic that mostly works with children with disabilities and developmental delays.  I am working with the Vice President for Program Services in helping to prepare for an accredidation survey. Additionally, I administer satisfaction surveys to school-age kids to see how they like the services they receive.

Describe the best parts of the job.
Asking kids about Easter Seals is a lot of fun--they are really adorable!

Describe the worst parts of the job.
The work I do with the survey preparation is very tedious, but somebody's got to do it...

Any advice to Health Science students regarding internships/coop/summer jobs.
Definitely try to get as much experience as you can.  It will help a great deal when you're trying to
figure out exactly what you want to do.  Even if you don't like what you're doing, you will learn to look
elsewhere.
 
 

Amanda Ball Action Medical Questions for Amanda? Email her

Describe how you got the job.
 I first heard about the position when it was announced in my HS 320 class.  I also saw it posted on the HS site on blackboard.  The application process was similiar to most jobs.  Fill out an application, have an interview, get the position.  The interview was very relaxed and informal.
 
 

Describe you what you do. I audit patient files. I peform quality control measures to assess the performance of the billing company we use.  I so some Medicare billing.  I work with doctors and patients to get all of the necessary paperwork to ensure that the insurance companies will pay.  I also enter all sales and services in the main computer system used by the company.

Describe the best parts of the job.
It would have to be learning.  I have learned so much about Medicare and other insurance rules.  Things that I had never even thought about before.  Also, the people are great.  I have made some good friends, and they help make working more enjoyable.

Describe the worst parts of the job.
The tediousness of some of the activities.  Sometimes I feel like I am doing the exact same thing everytime I go into work.  I would also have to say that one of the worst parts is that I am also going to school.  Sometimes  it is hard to balance it all.

Any advice to Health Science students regarding internships/coop/summer jobs.
I would say to definitely try and do some type of internship/coop before you graduate.  Not only will it give you valuable work experience, but it will also help you find out what areas you are and definitely are not looking to pursue after you graduate.