Work as a member of a caregiver team that includes other C.A.R.E. fellows, staff at the home, and volunteers from the community; 1 P a g e

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1 2016 C.A.R.E. (Community Action, Research, & Education) Summer Fellowship Program Program Description Union summer C.A.R.E fellows will spend 8 weeks engaged in a full-time (approximately 30 hours per week) structured educational program involving community service and research. The focus of the 2016 Summer Fellowship Program will be Understanding Palliative Care and all student fellows will work at the Schenectady Community Home, Inc. (Joan Nicole Prince Home) in Scotia, New York ( Goals The program is designed to provide students with a full-time, residential experience focused on understanding the challenges of providing care to terminally ill members of the community. The 8-week fellowship will challenge students by having them work alongside community members in one of upstate New York s comfort care homes for the dying. Upon the completion of this community based learning program, students will be able to: Identify the unique challenges and burdens placed on caregivers; Recognize the importance of psychosocial support in end-of-life care; Demonstrate compassionate, non-judgmental, empathetic care that preserves a resident s dignity at the end-of-life; Have an increased comfort communicating with terminally ill residents and their family members. Identify symptom management approaches for conditions common at the end of life including pain, dementia, anxiety, nausea, edema (swelling), and dyspnea (difficulty breathing); Serve as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team model and recognize the value provided from different healthcare professionals; and Develop and implement a research project to meet an agency-identified need. Responsibilities C.A.R.E. Fellows will be performing a variety of activities during the program, including providing direct bedside care to 2 terminally ill residents. Fellows will: Work as a member of a caregiver team that includes other C.A.R.E. fellows, staff at the home, and volunteers from the community; 1 P a g e

2 Serve as surrogate family members responsible for resident care needs including assisting with activities of daily living (toileting, feeding, taking medications etc.); Observe hospice care team members and resident care staff; Offer emotional support to residents, family members and friends visiting residents; Provide resident care narratives and carefully document care decisions; Maintain a reflective journal based on field notes taken after each shift; Complete 10 experiential learning modules with readings and clinical vignettes that require written narratives reflecting on various topics including caregiving experiences, communication, cultural competency, and issues surrounding death and dying; and Identify a research question and related project addressing a problem identified by the home s staff or board of directors (i.e. needs assessment, literature review, grant/research proposal etc.). Benefits to participants 250+ hours of clinical experience (direct patient contact); Education and training in palliative care leading to Certificate of Completion and reference letter that can be used for job or professional school applications; Opportunity to observe hospice care team members and resident care staff; Transportation to and from Union s campus to the Joan Nicole Prince Home; Opportunity to prepare and present a research project; and $3,000 stipend; room and board are not covered, but a block of rooms on campus in a Minerva have been reserved for approximately $600 per person (double occupancy) for the duration of the program. Position Requirements Must be Union College student from the class of who can commit to the full (30 hrs/week) program from June 13 th -August 6 th ; Must complete a 2-day volunteer training program Must agree to complete 10 learning modules and develop and implement project(s) that will benefit the home; Should have an interest in healthcare (exceptions considered) but could be from any academic discipline; Must have an interest in working with people during the last few weeks or months of their lives and be able to carry out resident care duties; Must complete application, letter of intent, and submit reference letters (instruction form attached) no later than 3 pm Thursday, March 17 th ; Must complete an interview and visit/tour of the home before committing; Must make full-time commitment and be able to work daytime, night, evening, and weekend shifts that could begin as early as 6:50 am and end as late as 11:00 2 P a g e

3 pm (schedule will vary week to week). Therefore, applicants cannot have other commitments (i.e. summer research, classes, employment elsewhere etc.). Testimonies from Union students When I first started the C.A.R.E fellowship I had no idea how much I would learn in just 8 weeks. I have acquired so many skills that will help me on my journey to becoming a physician, but more importantly, I have truly learned how to be a caring, respectful, and supportive person- values that will stay with me forever. ******* I am learning how to both provide for patient s medical needs while treating them with respect, dignity, and compassion. I believe that this newly discovered ability will be invaluable to my future as a health care professional. ******* Contact information All inquiries should be addressed to Professor Carol Weisse at weissec@union.edu Carol S. Weisse, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology Phone: Director of Health Professions weissec@union.edu Bailey Hall 101 Union College Schenectady, NY P a g e

4 2016 C.A.R.E Summer Fellowship Application Name Date of Birth Major/minor: Class Year Address: City State Zip Is this the address where checks should be sent? Y N If No, please provide that address below: Address: City State Zip Cell Phone Date of Birth Are you a US Citizen? Y N Emergency Contact (Name): Phone: (relationship): Do you speak a language other than English? If so, which language(s)? Will you be requesting transportation to/from the home? Y N Please explain any health problems or physical limitations which may restrict the work that you can do: In addition to providing resident care, in what other ways might you be able to contribute to the mission of the Joan Nicole Prince Home ( Please check all that apply: ( ) Grant writing ( ) Assisting Board of Directors ( ) Fundraising-event-planning ( ) Community Outreach/Education/Social Media ( ) Other: Have you ever been convicted of a crime or pleaded no contest to a felony: Y N If yes, please explain: Signature Date (Over) 4 P a g e

5 Please provide 2 reference letters from people (non-family/friends) familiar with your work habits, character, and strengths. Provide those writing on your behalf with a copy of pages 1-2 with the program description asking them to address your ability to carry out the responsibilities outlined in the program overview. Letters must be dated, signed in a sealed envelope with the recommender s signature across the seal. ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE SUBMITTED TO THE ADDRESS BELOW NO LATER THAN 3 PM THURSDAY MARCH 17 TH C.A.R.E Fellowship Program Committee c/o Health Professions Office Union College-Bailey Hall 101 Schenectady, NY Please provide contact information for the people who will be submitting letters on your behalf should we need to contact them: Reference #1 Reference #2 Name Name Address Address City/State City/State Telephone Telephone Relationship Relationship Please compose a 2-3 page letter of intent that explains why you want to work as a C.A.R.E. Fellow at the Joan Nicole Prince Home, how the fellowship supports your career goals, and what special talents you bring to the program, including ideas for research projects that interest you that might be of benefit to the home. Your letter should discuss your familiarity with the Home and describe any past experiences that speak to your ability to perform the responsibilities outlined in the program description. Application Materials Checklist (for selection committee use only): Completed Application Letter of Intent Reference letter #1 Reference letter #2 Interview 5 P a g e