Bay Tree Bldg. 3rd floor, Rm 305, Santa Cruz, CA 95064
Phone (831) 459-4420 - Fax (831) 459-4018 career-center@cats.ucsc.edu

Chancellor's Undergraduate Internship Program (CUIP)

Title of Internship: HIV Testing Coordinator

Primary Mentor: Laura C. Engelken
Title: HIV Prevention Program Coordinator
E-Mail: HIVinfo@cats.ucsc.edu
Phone: (831) 459-4679
Campus Address: HIV Prevention Program, Student Health Services, Rm 157

  1. Internship description:
    Under the general supervision of the HIV Program Coordinator and the Student Health Services Staff, the intern will take a lead role in coordinating and supporting a team of 10-12 Peer HIV Test Counselors during the 2001-02 academic year. This includes serving as the liaison between the Health Services Staff and the Peer Test Counselors and working with the interdisciplinary health services team to achieve professional and client-centered test counseling services for UCSC students. This internship provides an intense paraprofessional experience for an individual considering a future in medicine, public health, program development and other related fields. (See Addendum for more information.)
  2. Product or result expected at the end of the CUIP year's work:
    1. The CUIP Intern will have expanded his/her ability in areas of supervision, problem-solving and program development.
    2. There will be a tight, well-functioning group of test counselors who feel supported and productive in their work.
    3. All policies and procedures will be kept up to date and filed in a central location.
    4. The number of HIV tests conducted during 2001-02 will be at least as high as in 2000-2001.
    5. Surrounding Health Services staff will regard both the intern and his/her team of test counselors as a valuable asset to student health.
    6. New test counselors and CUIP intern will be recruited and trained for the 2002-03 school year.
  3. Value this will have for your unit/department etc.:
    The provision of peer-run HIV test counseling is an integral part of our overall HIV prevention and education efforts on campus. Our Peer HIV Test Counselors are all student volunteers and they need a student who can represent their needs at all levels within Student Health Services. Staffing this internship with a dedicated, talented and motivated individual is tremendously important to the success of the testing program. This internship allows us to expand the program, conduct outreach testing and other special projects, and integrate the efforts of the test counselors with those of the other program volunteers.
  4. Tasks the intern will likely perform:
    • Communicate as liaison between Health Services Staff and Test Counselors 60%
      1. Meet with test counselors weekly.
        • Delegate and oversee the following responsibilities:
          1. Advertise HIV testing services across campus (e.g., flyers, articles, presentations).
          2. Assist Outreach Coordinator as s/he facilitates outreach testing program sites.
          3. Administrative Duties (e.g., weekly stocking of documents, pamphlets, photocopying, and organization of the reported results file).
          4. Stock condoms, lube, and dental dams for testing program.
          5. Coordinate guest speakers to meet with test counselors.
          6. Coordinate application and interview process for following year's test counselors
        • Invite the support of campus and community resources as needed.
      2. Meet at least once weekly with the acting HIV Program Coordinator.
        • Prepare list of questions counselors have regarding administrative methods and materials.
        • Discuss issues presented in weekly peer counselor meetings regarding terms and laws pertaining to testing, reporting, and filing of results.
        • Review and update existing testing forms based on Health Services policy and program needs.
        • Provide current test counseling schedule and phone list.
        • Assist in scheduling of testing room and equipment needed for room.
        • Maintain inventory of testing materials, including, test kits, paperwork, and shipping materials.
      3. Check in weekly with appointment desk personnel.
        • Provide current test counseling schedule and phone list.
        • Give appropriate notice of any changes in scheduling.
        • Ensure consistent communication regarding schedule planning.
        • Contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) Intern to maintain consistent communication between the two programs, and to access necessary resources.
      4. Initiate e-mail and telephone correspondences to advise staff of program changes or updates as necessary.
      5. Be available for meetings with Business and Medical directors as needed.
      6. Keep appropriate statistical and administrative records for the testing program.
    • Coordinate Testing, Training and Meeting Schedules 25%.
      1. Facilitate the enrollment of new test counselors in summer training
        • Assist HIV Program coordinator in scheduling training.
        • Ensure that all counselors can attend entire training, or make other arrangements as needed.
      2. Collect and assist in determining test counselors' testing schedule and create a fixed testing schedule 3. Set up a weekly meeting schedule for counselors (including monthly consultation with CPS intern).
      3. Develop a system of substitutes.
      4. Ensure all test counselors have completed the yearly contract and enforce rules stated within.
    • Provide ancillary support to counselors 10%.
      1. Ensure availability of all necessary policies and procedures.
        • Library research regarding state and regional policy (if needed).
        • Communicate with HIV Program Coordinator, Medical Director, and Business Director for clarification on policies and procedures.
      2. Coordinate special training sessions as needed.
      3. Oversee the stocking and general maintenance of testing and informational resources.
    • Miscellaneous 5%
      1. Provide leadership for HIV Prevention Program events (e.g., AIDS WALK, Safer Sexcapades).
      2. Represent the HIV Prevention Program in promotions and community events (e.g., BSSF).
      3. Perform other related duties as assigned.
  5. Skills these tasks will strengthen:
    The following skills are desired for this position AND will be greatly enhanced throughout the one-year internship.
    • Organizational Skills including Time Management (demonstrate flexibility and organizational skills with the ability to prioritize a high-volume workload and function independently under time pressure).
    • Ability to coordinate and support a diverse pool of volunteers.
    • Extensive knowledge of the HIV Test Counseling Program, its services and challenges.
    • Understanding of college programming needs including budgeting, etc.
    • Flexibility in problem-solving, ability to troubleshoot and adapt to changing circumstances.
    • Excellent listening skills.
    • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
    • Ability to critically analyze services and recommend changes.
    • Creativity- ability to make the most of limited materials and supplies.
    • Ability to contribute to a team effort; carry out assignments in a responsible manner; and participate in a positive and cooperative manner.
    • Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs, specifically Word and Excel, as well as ability to utilize standard office equipment.
  6. How your intern's success will be evaluated:
    • Ability to successfully facilitate the ongoing involvement of the test counseling team- Test Counselors show up on time for shifts and meetings, complete paperwork correctly and have a positive attitude about their test counseling experience,
    • Proven use of organizational skills, particularly with regard to the successful coordination of testing schedule, outreach, and materials management.
    • Proven flexibility and the ability to prioritize and complete multiple competing tasks.
    • Ability to maintain consistent communication with test counselors and Health Services staff regarding policies and procedures.
    • Ability to generate high levels of interest in Free and Anonymous HIV Testing and other HIV programs in each of the colleges, among the resource centers and diverse student groups, and in the general student body.
    • Ability to utilize participant feedback to implement positive changes in core and outreach testing programs.
    • Provision of quarterly reports on number of tests administered, number of results given, and demographic information regarding utilization of testing services and further outreach needs.
    • Meetings of the test counselors are attended by all and consistently help in the prevention and resolution of administrative problems within the program.
    • Intern works hard to ensure that testing services are known about and well received across campus.
    • All Student Health Services staff are aware of the HIV testing schedule.
    • The Test Counseling staff, under the Intern's leadership, will make at least one long-term, positive contribution to the future of peer-run HIV test counseling on campus.
    • Ability to appropriately and professionally represent the HIV Prevention Program.
  7. How the intern will interact with the mentor and regular staff:
    See statement of duties.
  8. How this proposal differs from previous years work:
  9. Background:
    The HIV Peer Test Counseling Coordinator has primary responsibility for ensuring that the test counseling staff is equipped to provide the students at UCSC with the best possible test counseling services, at both the Student Health Center and Outreach Testing sites.

    The position requires an outgoing and professional intern who is skilled in role modeling and supervision. Success in this position is heavily dependent on the ability of the intern to manage the administrative and support needs of a diverse volunteer staff. The goal of this position is to maximize the level of culturally competent test services provided on campus It is essential to ensure test counselors are be aware of their cultural perspectives of themselves and others so they can be effective. Consequently, the Testing Coordinator will help organize a program-wide diversity training along with the other CUIP interns.

    Providing skilled, compassionate leadership and support for the volunteer test counselors will make an invaluable contribution to the success of the testing program and to the overall Health Education efforts at UCSC. The HIV Program coordinator will closely supervise the intern, so s/he will receive ongoing training and feedback. This internship is highly desirable for students who are planning careers in medicine, public health and/or other areas of health promotion and education.


For special arrangements to accommodate a disability contact (831) 459-4420.

Website managed by Barbara Silverthorne
Last updated 4/2/01