Thank you for your interest in the Partners HealthCare Training and Employment Program – a job readiness program which prepares motivated adults for entry-level jobs at Partners Healthcare. All participants possess a High School Diploma or GED, have a minimum of 1 year work experience, possess basic computer skills, have a NT computer log-on, password, and Occupational Health and CORI clearance.
 
Ready to offer an internship? 

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The 2 1/2 week internship component of the 6-week training and employment program is designed to be a rewarding opportunity for the intern that bridges classroom instruction and practical application in a real work setting.

We seek managers who are able to provide meaningful work, offer a hands-on experience with learning and growth, and as part of that, oversee the intern’s performance and offer constructive feedback.

As a participating manager, you get free help with a short-term project or departmental support, a no-obligation opportunity to assess a prospective employee, and the satisfaction of mentoring someone who is eager to begin and develop a health care career at Partners HealthCare. 

Join the over 200 other managers who have offered to host interns.  100% of participating managers said they would recommend PCWD to a colleague.

Read what managers have to say:

• I am continually impressed with the work that your office does and all of the follow-up you provide to the managers, and your former trainees. I can't say enough wonderful things about what your group accomplishes for all us throughout the organization!...Thanks, again for your constant input and your continued commitment to ensuring success for your graduates!
  -BWH Manager
• I am very impressed with both of them, and their level of professionalism. This is a very difficult situation for us having to chose. The staff all agreed that "...." were the top choices from all the candidates we met. Both have different personalities, but would do well at this position. I will let you know when we have made our final decision. Your program is clearly a good one to have such good candidates! I will keep this in mind in the future!!
  -MGH Manager
• "..." is doing a fantastic job! We are all pleased about her performance. She is a bright woman, she catches on quickly, she interacts very well with our patients, she interacts great with all the staff. She is very organized and has re-organized and noticeably cleaned up the front office area. She is really a great employee. A star. Thank you for your help. I will be coming to you for candidates always. -BWH Manager
• This is such a great program that continues to provide us with strong individuals who are work ready and committed to the BWH mission. I'm often encouraging other managers to give them a chance because I know they won't be disappointed.
  -BWH Manager
• This program is a win-win for all. A lot of time and effort go into preparing the candidates for entry into the workforce, and as a hiring manager, you can be certain that each candidate has completed the necessary qualifications. We have had many PCWD-trained employees over the last 10 years, and it has been very rewarding for me to work with this worthwhile program.
  -MGH Manager
  

Need more information? You may find your question(s) answered below.

Partners Healthcare Training and Employment Program: Internship FAQ’s:

1. What kinds of work should I give the intern?
2. What is the intern’s schedule? 
3. Why do the interns only work a half-day during the first week?
4. Are the interns trained in hospital software applications such as IDX or BICS?
5. I’ve submitted my information.  What happens now?
6. May I interview the intern before accepting?
7. I have been matched with an intern.  What more do I have to do?
8. Is there an obligation to hire the intern?
9. What if I am interested in considering the intern for a position in my department?
10. Is it possible to extend the internship past the 2.5 week period?
11. I’d like to take an intern, but I will be out of the office for some part of the internship. Can I still take an intern?
12. Can I refer someone to the program?
13. More questions?

What kinds of work should I give the intern? 

The intern should be given assignments that are sufficiently challenging and that will allow them to gain experience, and develop the skills necessary to be successful in an entry-level administrative or allied health job.  For an administrative role, a variety of basic clerical tasks such as filing, faxing, copying, data entry, and answering phones, and any work that will build customer service and/or computer skills is ideal.  Providing an opportunity to allow the intern to shadow management and clinical staff is also welcome.

What is the intern’s schedule? 

The intern will be assigned to your department for a total of 2.5 weeks and will work according to a daily work schedule decided by you.  Most interns work 9am-5pm, but we can vary the schedule according to your needs. 

In the first week, the intern will work until noon, returning to the classroom in the afternoon for training.  In the second and third weeks, the intern will work full-time, 8 hours per day.

PCWD staff must approve any change to the original schedule.

Why do the interns only work a half-day during the first week?  

The first week is a transition week to help interns adjust from a full-time classroom situation to a full-day work situation.   This transition period allows PCWD to timely address any issues or concerns expressed by both the intern and/or manager. 

Are the interns trained in hospital software applications such as IDX or BICS? 

Interns are “non-employees” within PeopleSoft and they do not have access to these applications. Each intern does have a computer log-on and password and an Outlook Email address.  **Note that you are able to grant access to these systems at the department level. 

I’ve submitted my information.  What happens now?  

The trainees will be given the full list of internship offerings to review, and each will select their top three choices. Based on the manager’s needs, and the intern’s skills and performance to date, the PCWD staff will make the matches accordingly. 

We will contact you on the Thursday before the internships are scheduled to begin to let you know whether we have made a match or not.

May I interview the intern before accepting? 

Given the timing, not usually, but we will make special arrangements if you want the internship to function as a try-out period for an available position within your department.

I have been matched with an intern.  What more do I have to do?   

PCWD staff will be in touch with you throughout the internship for an update on the intern’s performance. 

We ask that you notify us immediately if the intern is absent or late (an arrival one minute after the scheduled start time is considered late), or if you have any concerns that need to be addressed immediately.

PCWD staff will also conduct a brief site visit to meet with you and get a sense of the work environment. We also ask that you complete a brief performance review of the intern at the end of the assignment and answer a few general questions about your experience with the internship.  You should feel free to contact the PCWD staff at any point during the internship assignment.

Is there an obligation to hire the intern?

No, there is no obligation for the manager to hire an intern, but the internship is a great way to assess the skills of a prospective employee for an available job in your department.  

What if I am interested in considering the intern for a position in my department?

Great!  Please speak with the PCWD Director or the PCWD Career Development Coordinator to discuss any job opportunities within your department.  We will then work with you and your human resources recruiter on the appropriate next steps.

We discourage managers from discussing opportunities directly with the intern until the assignment is over, as we continue to monitor the trainee’s performance up until the day before graduation – a week after the internship ends.

Is it possible to extend the internship past the 2.5 week period? 

Yes, it is possible to continue the internship after graduation on a part-time, paid basis – at no cost to your department. This allows the student to stay engaged in a structured work environment, continue to build their skills, and receive a stipend until they find permanent work.

While the PCWD staff will facilitate determining the new work schedule, the intern may work up to 20 hours a week - on Monday, Wednesday, and/or Friday - for up to 8 weeks. On Tuesday and Thursday, the class meets with the Career Development Coordinator to participate in job search activities e.g. applying on-line, practicing interviews, and sending thank-you letters – until they are placed.

I’d like to take an intern, but I will be out of the office for some part of the internship. Can I still take an intern? 

Yes, although consistent supervision by one manager is ideal, you may delegate a colleague who we will be able to contact during your absence.

Can I refer someone to the program? 

Absolutely!  Learn more about the program’s eligibility requirements and upcoming class start dates.  We can speak to your referral during recruitment for the next cycle.

Download a pdf of our flyer.

Ready to offer an internship? 

More questions?  Email us at jobtraining@partners.org, or contact: