AMSA Jack Rutledge Health Care for All Internship

The pursuit of quality, equitable, affordable health care for everyone has been an AMSA strategic priority for almost as long as AMSA has existed. AMSA's Jack Rutledge Legislative Director works full-time to support medical students in our work toward this system of health care. We are looking for enthusiastic students (pre-meds or medical students) to assist, support, and develop the many projects undertaken by the Jack Rutledge Legislative Director. Opportunities include: building our national network of healthcare activists, drafting and revising our educational materials, organizing international healthcare study tours, planning leadership trainings on health care for all, framing the health care debate of this year’s elections, and protecting Medicaid and health care for children (CHIP). Interns will gain valuable policy and grassroots organizing experience by attending strategy meetings within AMSA, by representing the Jack Rutledge Legislative Director at partner meetings and conferences, and by preparing official statements and conducting health care systems research.

There are three categories of AMSA interns who will work with the office of the Jack Rutledge Legislative Director:

The Health Care for All Intern will help coordinate AMSA’s part in the national campaign to shape the health care system under the next president and to expand access to healthcare for everyone, will be involved in projects of the Jack Rutledge Legislative Director and the Health Care for All Steering Committee to frame the health care debate. 

The Legislative Affairs Intern will assist the Jack Rutledge Legislative Director and the Health Policy Team with the ongoing research and implementation of our Legislative Agenda.

The Global Health Intern will work with the Committee on Global Health to defend access to treatment for people in the developing world through advocacy around key legislation and educational.

No previous experience is necessary, but applicants should have strong writing skills, an ability to work within a team and independently, a willingness and capacity to research health care issues, and most importantly, a passion for the intern-specific issue of health care reform!

Although AMSA cannot provide a stipend, AMSA provides housing for interns in our house and townhouse. These homes are located very near the national office in Reston, VA, which is just outside of Washington, DC.

INTERNSHIPS CYCLES

SEPTEMBER-APRIL
Internships range from one month to a semester in length and are available from September 1 to April 31. Dates are flexible. Academic credit can be arranged with your home institution if this internship will be counted as an elective. Please submit your application at least one month before your preferred internship start date.

MAY-AUGUST
Internships are 4-8 weeks in length and available from May 1 to August 31. Summer internships tend to be particularly competitive. Please submit your application at least two months before your preferred internship start date.

TO APPLY

1. Cover letter describing your interest in health policy and in advancing the issues of AMSA’s legislative agenda

   The following information should be included on your cover letter:
   Name, address, phone number, email address,
   Preferred dates for the internship,
   Current university or medical school, year of study, major & minor

2. Resume (3 page limit for graduate students, 2 for current or graduated undergrads)
3. Writing sample (300 word limit preferred, but 2 page absolute limit), on a topic of health policy you are most passionate about pursuing during the internship. This sample can be a new essay written for this internship, though older writing samples arealso encouraged/accepted)

Your current resumé may include:

1. Past work, leadership, volunteering, medical, and/or political experiences
2. Education and degrees, including research and coursework relevant to achieving universal healthcare and/or eliminating health disparities
3. Languages spoken (other than English)
4. Computer skills
5. Artistic or technological skills
6. MCAT and/or USMLE scores are NOT considered an acceptable part of this application

Please send all application materials by email or snail mail, and direct all questions to:

Jack Rutledge Legislative Director
American Medical Student Association
1902 Association Drive, Reston, VA 20191
(703) 620-6600, x256
jrld@amsa.org

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The American Medical Student Association (AMSA) is the nation's oldest and largest independent medical student organization and has been the progressive voice of medicine for over 50 years.