Frequently Asked Questions

Who can become a New York State Public Health Corps Fellow?

Candidates for the full-time and part-time paid positions with the NYSPHC Fellowship include individuals with training or experience in nursing, allied health, healthcare, social services, communications, information technology, logistics, planning, education, data science, emergency health, and public health are encouraged to apply. Whatever your expertise, communities all over the state need your help and we encourage you to apply.

What are the Qualifications To Become a Fellow?

Candidates with varying experience are encouraged to apply. Depending on experience, fellows will be designated to an appropriate program status tier.

There are three tiers of NYSPHC Fellows:

Fellows may have a high school diploma with documented experience, however, preferred applicants will have completed a related Associate or Bachelor's Degree - or - be within one semester of completing their degree - or - document relevant experience;

Graduate Fellows must have completed a Master’s degree or have completed their basic coursework and be within one semester of completing their academic program - or - document relevant experience; and

Senior Fellows must have completed or are within one semester of completing their Doctoral level training - or - document relevant experience;

Graduate and Senior Fellows may be offered an opportunity to extend the initial one-year NYSPHC Fellowship commitment.

What is a NYS Public Health Corps Fellowship?

A fellowship is a short-term opportunity to enhance your professional development in a particular field. Through the NYS Public Health Corps Fellowship Program, you can get hands-on experience in the field of public health through paid, full-time or part-time employment at host organizations. NYS Public Health Corps Fellows support the needs of state and local health departments. Fellows are concurrently enrolled in the Cornell Public Health Essentials Certificate Program to build their knowledge of fundamental public health principles. The NYS Public Health Corps provides additional educational and training opportunities focused on the 10 Public Health Core Competencies. Fellows are also matched with Mentors who act as professional role models, facilitate peer-learning, and provide navigational support through the public health landscape.

Do I Have To Be a Licensed Medical Professional To Apply?

No. See Answer to Question #1 above. Students, recent graduates and community members are encouraged to apply.

Is a NYS Public Health Corps Fellowship a medical fellowship?

No, the NYS Public Health Corps Fellowship is NOT a medical fellowship for physicians who have finished medical school and completed a residency in their medical specialty. However, individuals interested in public health with a background in healthcare, medicine, nursing, and allied health are encouraged to apply.

If I Am a Retiree From Outside The Medical Field, May I Apply?

Yes. See Answer to Question #1 above. Community members are encouraged to apply.

What Is the Time Commitment?

The NYSPHC Fellowship Program offers a variety of full-time and part-time positions with commitments of six months up to 1 year. Full-time employment includes a minimum of 35 hours per week.

Graduate and Senior Fellows may be offered an opportunity to extend the initial one-year NYSPHC Fellowship commitment.

Where Would I Serve?

The NYSPHC Fellowship Program is a statewide program with placement opportunities in most counties.

Fellows will be placed at the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Local Health Departments or other local public health system partners, at assigned locations, preferably within the community where the fellow resides.

Which NYSDOH departments currently have NYSPHC Fellows?

Some of the departments include the following:

• Wadsworth Center
• Center for Environmental Health
• AIDS Institute
• Center for Community Health
• And more!

Can I Work Remotely?

A fellow can be hired to work remotely as long as that is in keeping with the telecommuting policy of the Local Health Department (LHD) and the LHD is able to adequately supervise the Fellow’s work while they are working remotely. Having said that, much of the work of LHDs is done in person, at the LHD office or in the field so, depending on the Fellow projects, duties and tasks, remote work may not be feasible.

How Will Placements Be Determined?

Fellows will be placed where their individual skills and interests are best suited to meet the needs articulated by placement hosts (e.g., NYSDOH and local health departments), preferably within the community where the fellow resides.

What Are the Expectations of New York State Public Health Corps Fellows?

Fellows will support the public health mission of the placement host organization by fulfilling assigned tasks as directed by the onsite placement supervisor.

In addition to the work directed by placement host organizations, fellows’ experience will be enhanced by participating in a NYSPHC Local Public Health Partnership team. The NYSPHC Local Public Health Partnership team is a peer group of fellows, led by a Local Coordinator and mentor(s) who are identified by the local health department.

The NYSPHC Fellowship Program will work with the Local Coordinator and mentor(s) to help fellows satisfy program responsibilities, including progress reporting and training.

What Type of Training Will the New York State Public Health Corps Fellows be Expected to Complete?

Professional learning and development is a critical component of the NYSPHC Fellowship Program. Training will include the following:

Optional:

• Cornell University's New York State Public Health COVID-19 Readiness Training, (Pre-service)
• New York State Point of Dispensing (PODS) Training (pre-service)
• Coursera's Johns Hopkins University Contact Tracer Training (pre-service)

Required:

• Cornell University Public Health Essentials Certificate Program, (In-Service)
• Additional training as directed by the NYSPHC Program

What Types of Tasks will Fellows be Expected to Carry Out?

Examples of the types of tasks that NYSPHC fellows will carry out include:

• Participate in community outreach, enrollment and engagement activities in order to:
  • Build trust and relationships with individuals in the community;
  • Enroll patients in programs, including scheduling for vaccination and follow-ups, making referrals to community-based resources and identifying barriers to vaccination as needed;
  • Attend community meetings as necessary; and
  • Develop and communicate outreach plans and strategies for particular communities with a team of local public health officials, other NYSPHC fellows and Regional Team Leaders.
• Utilize standard data collection tools and interviewing skills as well as observe, measure, record and report data related to a patient’s health including, but not limited to, individual medical, health care and support needs and individualized action plans for COVID-19 vaccination and safety; and/or
• Communicate directly with individuals, patients, health care providers and colleagues to explain basic COVID-19 information, data and health concepts in ways that are familiar to patients and families while showing respect for individuals, their families, communities and colleagues.

What are the NYSDOH Fellows specializing in?

Fellows are specializing in:

• Data/Evaluation
• Program Management
• Communication Development
• Administration
• And more!

Are Fellows Paid?

NYSPHC Fellows will receive compensation depending upon qualifications, experience, and the “pre-determined” compensation rate provided by the LHD to which they are employed. NYSPHC Fellows who are placed with local health departments will receive compensation that is consistent with the local health department’s salary determination/schedule. Fellows are encouraged to inquire about compensation as they move through the interview process.

How will the NYSPHC Program Collaborate with Public Health Partners to Meet the Program Mission?

NYSPHC Fellowship Program staff will meet regularly with program stakeholders from across the state including state agencies and local public health networks.

When Should Applicants Expect the New York State Public Health Corps Program to Make a Decision About Their Applications?

The NYSPHC Fellowship Program is now accepting applications for fellows. The application review process may take up to 8 weeks.

When Signing Up to Take Training Modules it Asks for Work Address; Should Applicants Wait to Complete this Section until they Hear Back about the Fellowship Program/Potential Workplace Placement?

No, “Work Address” is a required field on the NYLearnsPH.com Learning Management System (LMS). Applicants should enter their home or current work address. If they are selected for fellowship placement, they will be able to edit their profile and enter their fellowship work address.

Are Mentorship Opportunities Open to Graduate Students?

The NYS Public Health Corps welcomes any and all nominations of individuals, whether a student or not, who can serve as professional role models for NYS Public Health Corps Fellows. Ideally, the Mentor will have a background in public health or a related discipline, have experience working within, or in collaboration with the community the Fellows are serving, to support public health efforts, be knowledgeable enough to serve as a technical advisor beyond the classroom, and have the capacity to foster networking opportunities. If this describes you, we encourage you to complete the Mentor Nomination form again, being certain to fully complete all the questions about areas of expertise and experience in public health.

Can this Mentorship Provide a Visa?

The Program cannot sponsor a visa for Mentors at this time.

Can I have a Mentor if I’m not Part of this Program?

As a key component of the Program, Mentors will be paired with Fellows to foster peer-learning, career planning, navigation support within the local public health landscape and networking opportunities. The Mentoring aspect of the program is only open to hired Fellows so we encourage you to submit an application to the NYS Public Health Corps if this fits within your current career trajectory.

Can I Work Remotely?

A fellow can be hired to work remotely as long as that is in keeping with the telecommuting policy of the Local Health Department (LHD) and the LHD is able to adequately supervise the Fellow's work while they are working remotely. Having said that, much of the work of LHDs is done in person, at the LHD office or in the field so, depending on the Fellow projects, duties and tasks, remote work may not be feasible.

What is the Difference Between a Mentor and a Supervisor?

A mentor is a seasoned and trusted professional whose task is to support the Fellow’s long-term professional development. Mentors use their professional relationships and influence to create opportunities for mutual learning. NYSPHC Mentors also help Fellows identify new opportunities following completion of their Fellowship.

A supervisor is more task-oriented and concerned about the day to day oversight of the Fellow, meeting the tasks and expectations outlined in their job description. A supervisor is also responsible for ensuring the Fellow meets the employer's rules and requirements set forth.

Can a Supervisor or Local Coordinator be a Mentor? Can a Local Coordinator be a Mentor?

The NYSPHC Fellowship Program recommends these roles be filled by two different people, as a supervisor is charged with ensuring the Fellow meets the tasks and standards of the job description, while the Mentor is charged with helping the Fellow develop professionally and providing networking opportunities. A Local Coordinator can serve as a Mentor but needs to remember to focus on the professional development of the Fellow in addition to the administration of the program within the health department. Other potential Mentors include other Local Health Department staff, staff within the county government, faculty and staff at Institutes of Higher Education, and partners at community-based organizations.

Can a Senior Fellow Mentor a Graduate or Base Level Fellow?

Mentors serve as professional role models for NYSPHC Fellows and technical advisors beyond the classroom, facilitating peer-learning and providing relevant mentoring, career planning, and navigational support within the local public health landscape as they address challenges in their specific assignment. Mentors are public health, allied health, and community-based professionals who have served or are currently serving the community. Anyone who can fill this role, even a Senior Fellow, is welcome to serve if the local health department deems appropriate.

How Should I Identify People to Serve as Mentors?

Mentors can engage with the program through the completion of the NYSPHC Mentor Nomination Form. Mentors can self-nominate, be nominated by a colleague, or be recruited and nominated by an LHD or program partners including members of the Board of Health, NYS Medical Reserve Corps, Community Based Organizations, and others.

How Long Does it Take to Complete the NYSPHC Mentor Nomination Form?

This form is used for the NYSPHC to have a record of who has applied to be a Mentor and their public health background, interests, and skillsets. It is anticipated it will take 15-20 minutes.

Who is Responsible for Identifying Mentors?

Mentor-Fellow assignments will occur in counties/communities across New York State where the Fellow and Mentor are best matched. Mentors will be matched to Fellows by Local Coordinators or Supervisors who identified Mentors to work with Fellows.

What is the Time Commitment to be a Mentor?

Mentors should anticipate a term of approximately one year to align with the expected one-year term of the Fellows. We expect that Mentors will meet with Fellows at least monthly, with the option to meet more frequently if desired.

I am Seeking Additional Information About Becoming a Mentor?

More information can be found on the New York State Public Health Corps website under “NYSPHC Mentors” in the “About the Program” section. If you have a specific question that isn’t answered on our website, please email us at [email protected].

How will the NYSPHC Fellowship Program Partner with the AmeriCorps New York Program?

In 2021, fifty AmeriCorps volunteers will be designated as NYSPHC fellows. AmeriCorps/NYSPHC members can help build public health capacity to support COVID-19 vaccination operations, help their community prepare to respond to future public health emergencies, grow their skills, train in the field, and be set on the path to a career in public health.