The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization in Washington, DC, offers a graduate/law student internship in public policy. The Consumer Voice was founded by Elma L. Holder in 1975 to protect the rights, safety, and dignity of America’s long-term care residents. For more than 40 years, the organization has worked with its members to carry out its mission to inform, educate, and empower consumers; equip citizen groups and ombudsman programs to be effective advocates for residents; and promote best practices in care delivery and the enforcement of quality standards. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about long-term care and advocacy while building your portfolio.

Interns at the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care (Consumer Voice) receive a thorough education in public policy, law, health policy, long-term care, and various topics related to advocating for quality long-term care.

They have a variety of responsibilities including research and health policy analysis. Students work closely with experienced policy professionals, congressional staffers, administrators, and other members of the policy community.

Interns receive hands on experience that is sought after by legislative staffs, government affairs offices, and other advocacy and policy groups. Many of our interns have gone to work on Capitol Hill, consulting firms, and government agencies. Some pursue advanced degrees in health policy, law, medicine, or other related fields.

This internship is a remote position and is open to all students around the country. However, if students are located in the Washington, D.C. area there is opportunity to attend in-person meetings, networking events, and forums on Capitol Hill. The benefits of a remote internship include flexible hours to work around your school schedule, skill development to enhance your digital communication, and networking opportunities to connect with professionals virtually through online meetings and events.

This is a dynamic and exciting internship where students get hands on policy and advocacy experience with a well-established nonprofit in the heart of Washington DC. Interns will advocate at the federal level on behalf of nursing home residents – a population made more vulnerable by COVID-19.

The position requires a time commitment of 20 hours per week in the Fall/Spring and 35 hours in the Summer. Interns are required to attend 1 – 2 virtual staff-wide meetings per week. While this is an unpaid internship, there is a small stipend offered and we encourage students to receive academic credit for their internship, we will assist with any necessary paperwork.

Interns are responsible for their own housing, travel, and other associated expenses. Interns must be enrolled in a graduate or law degree program and have exceptional writing and computer skills, research knowledge, and willingness to work on a wide range of projects. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the inner workings of a nonprofit organization, engage in grassroots advocacy and gain valuable member development and fundraising skills.

Fall interns will be invited to participate in the Consumer Voice Annual Conference. The conference is held in-person in Arlington, VA and virtually. The conference provides students with access to networking with national experts and advocates in the field.