Please visit DPH Paid Internship Program for program details, timeline, and application deadline.
Note: Application closed on May 12, 2025.
Internship overview
| Intern project | Project 5: Health data standards implementation and training across DPH and EOHHS |
|---|---|
| Intern role | Data standards implementation intern |
| Targeted majors | All Undergraduate and Graduate students with a strong interest in pursuing a career in public health are welcome to apply. |
| Hours per week | Part-time, 20 hours weekly |
| Internship length | 1 semester (12 weeks) |
| Work arrangement | Hybrid |
| Work location | 250 Washington St, Boston, MA |
Position overview
The intern will be supporting both the Health Equity Data Standards (HEDS) Programs at DPH, including the Advancing Health Equity in Massachusetts (AHEM) Data Interoperability Workgroup working across the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS). They will assist with technical assistance and monitoring of key performance indicators, related adoption and utilization of demographic data standards across DPH programs and state agencies aimed at advancing improved clinical outcomes in public health across Massachusetts.
Responsibilities
This intern will support the work of collaborating with different DPH bureaus, offices, hospitals, programs, and other state agencies to improve data collection methods and contribute to strategic learning activities while focusing on health equity. They will gain exposure to both the operational side of public health, ensuring wide cross-input cross-functional collaboration and buy-in, data analytics, and health-related infrastructure.
- With guidance from the Office of Population Health (OPE) and HEDSP leadership, the intern will play a role in implementing, and monitoring health equity data standards, tracking performance measures aimed at advancing equity in public health across Massachusetts’s health and human services agencies.
- The intern will support the creation of an internal dashboard/reporting tool for data standards adoption tracking, especially for modernizing public health infrastructure-related projects working with different DPH bureaus, offices, programs, and EOHHS agencies to enhance data collection methods, support process improvement, and technical assistance, scheduling and coordinating internal meetings with SMEs, building buy-in for the adoption of health equity data standards, tracking performance measures, and drafting reports.
- The intern will have the opportunity to present on health equity data standards, dashboards/other reporting tools, and training materials with project outcomes at the end of the internship.
Skills and qualifications desired
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Familiarity with simplification and process improvement methods
- Knowledge of the methods used in the preparation of charts, graphs, and tables
- Ability to prepare and use charts, graphs, and tables
- Knowledge of the methods of general report writing
- Strong analytical skills, ability to draw conclusions based on collected information, and make appropriate recommendations
- Ability to gather and synthesize information by examining records and documents and by asking thoughtful questions from individuals at various levels of the organization
- Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare general reports
- Ability to write concisely to express thoughts clearly and to develop ideas in a logical sequence
- Ability to follow written and oral instructions and communicate in a precise, understandable manner
- Ability to establish rapport with others, gain buy-in, and work in a collaborative environment
- Ability to deal tactfully with others, work under pressure, and gracefully adapt to frequently changing situations to meet emergencies or changing program requirements
- Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information
- Having a growth mindset and strong desire to learn, gain nuanced perspectives, and continuously improve
- Expressing interest in public health, population health, data science, health policy, performance management, and/or public health data modernization
For more information, please check out Program FAQs. You can also contact us by email dphinternship@mass.gov.