Overview
The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Healthcare Administration Graduate Internship will provide future health care executives on-the-job learning opportunities with exposure to a variety of relevant and practical experiences in an academic healthcare environment. During the Internship, the selected student will gain an in-depth understanding of pediatric hospital and clinic operations, clinical trials administration and research operations, with a focus on strategy, finance and operations. The student will play an essential role in various strategic planning and finance projects, and participate in additional operational management activities to supplement the didactic portion of their graduate program.
The student will report to both the Strategic Planning and Decision Support office and the Finance office. Additional opportunities will exist to actively participate in clinical operations, such as assisting in project management, executive leadership observations, quality and process improvement efforts, primary research, forecasting and further opportunities to develop technical skills.
Rotations may include:
- Financial Services Functions
- Clinical Operations
- Basic Science and Clinical Trials
- Council Meetings and Senior Leadership Meetings
- Administrative Departments such as Human Resources, Information Services and Facility Management
Background Information
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is one of the world's premier centers for research and treatment of catastrophic diseases in children, primarily pediatric cancers. The mission of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is to advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our Founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay. St. Jude is the only pediatric hospital designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute. St. Jude is currently ranked number 35 on Fortune’s 100 Best Places to Work list and has recently gained Nursing Magnet Status, among other notable accolades.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was founded by entertainer Danny Thomas and opened in 1962. It is supported primarily by funds from volunteer contributions raised by the American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities® (ALSAC). ALSAC is the national fund-raising organization established by Danny Thomas expressly for the purpose of funding St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. St. Jude also receives funding from federal grants (mainly through the National Institutes of Health), insurance and investments.
Approximately 8,500 patients are seen each year. All patients are followed for 10 years or more after active treatment ends as part of the St. Jude LIFE and After Completion of Therapy Clinic, which is the largest long-term follow-up clinical for childhood cancer patients in the U.S. The hospital also maintains 68 beds for patients requiring hospitalization during treatment. To date, St. Jude has treated more than 23,000 children from across the United States and around the world.
St. Jude currently employs approximately 4,100 scientists, clinicians and support personnel. St. Jude is embarking on an aggressive and bold 6-year strategic plan that will include adding 1,000 employees, treating 600 additional patients per year and adding four new buildings.
Position Description
Summary
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital seeks a creative and motivated individual to provide assistance with numerous projects that support the financial, strategic and operations of the organization. The intern will assist with data collection, analysis and forecasting to support operations and decision making in the organization. The intern will have exposure to financial, strategy, clinical operations, basic science and clinical trials administration.
Responsibilities
- Conduct market research for trend identification, strategy development and planning (to include use of Truven, ClearPoint, etc.)
- Draft reports and executive summaries based on conducted research, data analysis and financial projections
- Assist in identifying and creating success factors for goals and objectives; assisting departments in linking defined goals to the strategic plan
- Learn strategic planning processes and organizational perspective to support the Strategic Plan; perspectives include, organization culture, image, structure, operational efficiency, and market awareness
- Assist with developing strategic and business plans for system’s priorities
- Learn healthcare finance related to managed care, revenue cycle, budgeting and financial analysis
- Analyze various key financial and non-financial metrics
- Collect, understand, process, verify and report financial related-information to the finance director
Experience/Qualifications
A graduate student interested in healthcare administration with a focus on strategic planning and business development, finance and operations. Must be currently enrolled in a Master of Healthcare Administration or similar program, with at least a 3.0 GPA.
Expectations
The ideal candidate will be a self-starter and team-oriented, analytical, possess high attention to detail, maintain confidentiality at all times, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
How to Apply
Step 1
To be considered, applicants must electronically submit the following items by November 15, 2017, 12 AM CST to Keah.Valentine@stjude.org:
- Current resume in PDF format
- Cover letter in PDF format addressing interest in healthcare administration and the St. Jude Internship
- Graduate transcripts (unofficial PDF copies will be accepted, but download links will not be accepted)
Step 2
- Candidates who make it to the next round will be contacted to participate in a phone interview, with a select number of candidates invited for an on-site interview.
- A Skype interview may be arranged in lieu of an on-site interview should an applicant be unable to attend an on-site interview.
Step 3
- Offers will be extended and all other interviewed applicants will be notified of their application status no later than January 31, 2018.
Time Commitment
The Summer Internship will begin late May 2018 and will run through mid-August (approximately 12 weeks). The internship is a full-time learning experience. Students should expect to be available Monday through Friday during standard office hours throughout the summer.
Compensation and Housing
Compensation will be determined by St. Jude Leadership and will be based, in part, on the student's experience and the availability of funds. For non-local interns, the internship may sponsor housing up to a specific amount.
Application Contact Information
Interested students contact Keah Valentine at Keah.Valentine@stjude.org or (901) 595-0349.
Deadline: Cover letter and resume PDF, and unofficial transcripts by 12am midnight CST on November 15, 2017. Offers will be made by January 31, 2018.