Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness

The Syringe Exchange Program helps to reduce the spread of HIV, Hepatitis C and other blood-borne infections.

What is a syringe exchange program?

• A public health program for people who use drugs by injection (IDU’s)
• Goal is to reduce the spread of HIV, Hepatitis C and other blood-borne infections
• Provides new, sterile syringes and clean injection equipment.
• Syringes and needles are disposed of safely, reducing the number of discarded syringes on our sidewalks, yards, parks and play grounds.
• We are now offering Narcan (an opioid overdose reversal drug also known as Naloxone) and Fentanyl Test Strips (used to check for Fentanyl in drugs).

The SEP helps the community by offering pop-up shower events. During these events, individuals can receive the following items:

• Personal hygiene supplies
• Clean clothes
• Food
• Shower

Volunteer Responsibilities:

• Inventory and organize hygiene materials and clothing for distribution
• Share supplies with clients
• Work with partners such as Feed Louisville with food distribution
• Assist the SEP team with additional duties as needed
• Treat all clients with compassion
• Act as an ambassador of the program

Our Medication Oriented Recovery and Enhancement (MORE) Program provides medically monitored drug treatment (methadone) and counseling to patients addicted to narcotic drugs like heroin, morphine, OxyContin, Opana and Dilaudid.  It is an outpatient program funded by patient fees and by a Federal Block Grant through the State of Kentucky.

Since the MORE Center is not accepting new patients, there may be fewer opportunities to volunteer at this location. Volunteer shifts will be posted on the OPPORTUNITIES tab. 

Volunteer Responsibilities:

• Perform administrative tasks including making charts, copying educational materials, filing, etc.
• Prepare patient rooms by sweeping floors, sanitizing spaces, and restocking supplies
• Maintain a professional office space
• Assist the clinic staff with additional duties as needed
• Treat all clients with compassion
• Act as an ambassador of the program

The Specialty Clinic tests, diagnoses and treats Sexually Transmitted Infections and is available to anyone seeking confidential counseling, testing, and treatment. 

The Specialty Clinic is located at 914 E. Broadway and operates Monday – Friday.

Volunteer Responsibilities:

• Perform administrative tasks including making charts, copying educational materials, filing, etc.
• Prepare patient rooms by sweeping floors, sanitizing spaces, and restocking supplies
• Maintain a professional office space
• Assist the clinic staff with additional duties as needed
• Treat all clients with compassion
• Act as an ambassador of the program

Our Tuberculosis Clinic provides diagnostic and treatment services for Jefferson, Bullitt, Henry, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties. 

Our services include:

• Risk assessments
• Screening contacts for exposure (Tuberculin Skin Test/Quantiferon Plus blood test);
• Chest x-ray services;
• Obtaining sputum and other specimens for laboratory analysis; 
• Medications or prescriptions provided for treatment;
• Monitoring by a licensed medical professional; 
• Monitoring adherence to treatment or therapy regime;
• Providing social services to ensure completion of treatment or therapy;
• Providing Directly Observed Therapy by a licensed medical professional at a site suitable for the patient;
• Providing consultation on diagnosis and treatment to physicians, nursing homes, social service agencies, hospitals, and others.
• Contact investigations
• Surveillance

Volunteer Responsibilities:    

• Perform administrative tasks including making and organizing charts, data entry, filing, etc.
• Organize stockroom and replenish supplies as needed
• Prepare patient rooms by sweeping floors, sanitizing spaces, and restocking supplies
• Maintain a professional office space
• Assist the clinic staff with additional duties as needed
• Treat all clients with compassion
• Act as an ambassador of the program

LMPHW provides high quality student experiences through exposure to practice-based opportunities that strengthen the future public health workforce. Student experiences are available under a variety of public health concentration areas. Opportunities start in January, May, and August of each year.

Selected candidates will have the opportunity to understand the functional and practical work of a Metropolitan Health Department serving a population of more than 750,000 residents. Distinctive populations have been identifies as underserved and divergent health outcomes are indicated in association with the social determinants of health. The chosen students will earn practical experience through working alongside public health practitioners. 

What types of opportunities are available? 

• Capstone

• Clinical Rotations

• Community Medicine Rotations

• Internship

• Practicum 

• Shadowing (Food Safety and Public Facilities)

Eligibility:

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or professional program at an academic institution

• Adhere to LMPHW and academic institutions guidelines

• Submit a cover letter, resume, and work plan to the Student Experience Team. 

How to Get Started:

Fill out the online application and the Student Experiences Coordinator will contact you about the next steps of the application process. Make sure you indicate which type of opportunity you are looking to complete. 

You will be required to upload a cover letter and resume when completing the online application. 

Volunteers with Medical Reserve Corp Unit 93 stand ready for deployment in the event of a public health emergency. This group of both medical and non-medical volunteers engages individuals in helping the community prepare for, respond to, and mitigate emergencies, disasters, and pressing public health needs. The Medical Reserve Corp is part of a national network of more than 200,000 trained volunteers.

This program will launch in Fall 2023. Check back for updates.

There are many different positions with the public health department. Shadowing a public health professional at LMPHW lets students observe the daily routines of public healthcare workers and provides information on the skills and education required for the position.

Requirements:

·        Currently enrolled in a high school (must be 16+), GED, college, or another formal educational program designed for career development or career identification. If under the age of 1

8, observers MUST be accompanied by an adult (parent, guardian, or teacher) who has also completed the application process.

·        Interested in pursuing a career in public health

·        Can provide proof of TB test with in the last year or obtain a test at least 1 week prior to date of observation. These tests can be conducted at LMPHW, a walk-in clinic, or your personal health care provider.

·        Complete a background check (ages 18+) and Sign the Observer and Confidentiality Agreement.

·        Submit the completed packet to the Volunteer Office no later than two (2) weeks before the desired date of shadowing.

All job shadow experiences must be coordinated through the Academic Health Department (AHD). The Job Shadowing Program is designed to be an observation-only experience, lasting two to four hours. The experience does not fulfill any clinical or internship requirements nor does it provide any hands-on experience.

Areas of interest

·         Clinics – TB, Specialty, MORE Program

·         Early Childhood Development (Healthy Babies Louisville and Healthy Start Program)

·         Emergency Preparedness

·         Epidemiology

·         Food Safety

·         Harm Reduction Outreach Services

·         Mosquito Control Program

·         Public Health Lab

·         Public Swimming Pool and Spa

·         WIC (Women, Children, and Infants) Program