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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

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Internship and Volunteer Opportunities

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The Florida Department of Health in Clay County offers students and volunteers a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience in public health within a state government organization. By working with federal, state, and county programs, we strive to address the community’s health needs while developing future public health leaders. Our commitment extends to supporting effective professionals, sharing public health knowledge, and providing guidance to students and volunteers to achieve our mission of improving community health.

Internships

Clinical Internships

Graduate Level:
  • Nurse Practitioner (DNP): Practicum opportunities in women’s health including family planning, communicable disease control, and children's health (no prenatal services). Limited opportunities in adult health or primary care.
  • Dietitian/Nutritionist (WIC): Provides nutrition counseling to clients. Currently only accepting dietitians/nutritionists from the University of North Florida.

Note: Graduate nursing practicums for MSN degrees are not currently available.

Non-Clinical Internships

Available at undergraduate and graduate levels in the following areas:

  • Epidemiology
  • Environmental health
  • Health promotion and education
  • Information technology and computing
  • Emergency preparedness
  • Communications/Public Relations
  • Performance management

Please note availability is limited, and applicants may compete for positions.

Requirements for Internships

  • Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with school, college, or university
  • Completed internship and background screening applications
  • Completed and successful background screening
    • Must pass background screening
  • Completed mandatory training modules
    • Must complete mandatory training modules

Volunteer Opportunities

Share your skills and passion for public health by volunteering with DOH-Clay. When applying, indicate your areas of interest and any relevant skills that could assist in matching you with a program.

  • Acceptance is determined by agency needs and cannot be guaranteed.
  • Volunteers are subject to a Level 2 background screening.

Requirements for Volunteer Opportunities

  • Completed volunteer and background screening applications
  • Completed parental consent form (if under the age of 18)
  • Completed and successful background screening
    • Must pass background screening
  • Completed mandatory training modules (if applicable)
  • Volunteer Orientation
    • Must attend orientation to volunteer with DOH-Clay

Application Process

  1. Eligibility: Must be at least 18 years old before starting an internship. Adult volunteers must be 18 years or older, teen volunteers must be between 14 and 17 years old, and a parental consent form must be completed. Due to limited availability and resources, submission of an application does not guarantee placement.
  2. Application Types:
    1. Clinical Internship
    2. Non-Clinical Internship
    3. Volunteer Application
    4. Teen Volunteer Parental Consent
  3. Submission: Complete application with all required details and submit as indicated on the form.
  4. Next Steps: If accepted, you will be notified by the internship coordinator to arrange your interview, background screening, and orientation.

The Florida Department of Health in Clay County is proud to provide enriching and rewarding experiences for interns and volunteers as they contribute to the health and well-being of our community.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • WHAT IS THE QUALIFYING CRITERIA FOR AN INTERNSHIP?
  • WHEN SHOULD I APPLY FOR AN ACADEMIC INTERNSHIP?
  • ARE INTERNSHIPS PAID?
  • WHAT HOURS WILL I BE REQUIRED TO WORK?
  • ARE INTERNSHIPS FROM ALL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ACCEPTED?
  • CAN NON-STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM?

To intern with the Florida Department of Health in Clay County, you must be 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license and currently be enrolled in undergraduate or graduate studies at a college or university. All candidates will need to have a level 2 background check completed. To gain as much hands-on public health experience as possible, most of the internship hours must be completed in person. Some independent study may be allowed and approved on a case-by-case basis. Each program may also have additional criteria that prospective interns must meet to be selected.

The earlier, the better! Positions often reach capacity months in advance.

No, all internships are unpaid. Interns receive course credit for hours worked, along with valuable real-world experience to enhance their resumes.

Schedules are flexible and are based on academic requirements and Department needs.

Yes, internships from any accredited college or university are accepted if there is a current Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) in place. If your school doesn’t have an MOA with DOH-Clay, one can be initiated. However, please note that the approval process typically takes 2 to 3 months, so plan accordingly when applying.

If you are not in school, you may still participate as a volunteer instead. Complete the application for volunteers, including submitting two personal references.