Potential Member FAQ
What and when is the term of service?
PHC members serve a 46 weeks term of service. Hours are typically 9:00am to 5:00pm and occasionally require evening and weekend service depending on the site where members serve. The term will begin in early September and end in late July.
What is a typical day like?
A typical day depends on the site to which a member is assigned. As candidates go through the interview process, they learn more about the various sites and the opportunities at each. In our program, members choose the site in which they serve from among those that are available to them.
What will my schedule be?
Each service description will state the hours of service for the site. However flexibility is key for the program, site, and member. Some sites will have activities, classes, etc, that occur some evenings and/or weekends. Members are expected to serve 37-40 hours at their site each week in order to complete the 1700 hours within the 46 week term. The site is expected to also provide the member with 37-40 hours of service weekly.
What is a site supervisor?
Members are assigned site supervisors to help them develop professionally and personally. They work closely with members providing them with opportunities, assistance, and feedback. Site supervisors also supervise members, oversee their day-to-day activities, and sign member timesheets and service activity logs.
Will I get any time off?
PHC members have 5 holidays and appropriately If members are ahead in their hours, and it is also approved with their host site and the program director, they are allowed additional days off.
Can I work or go to school while part of the Health Corps?
The Philadelphia Health Corps does allow for members to work and/or attend classed during their year of service if it does not conflict with their ability to maintain their regularly scheduled service hours and in-service training. However, members are very busy with service, meetings, trainings, committees, and events. This makes it very hard to work or attend classes at the same time. Although it is not impossible to work or attend classes while serving, your commitment to the program requires your attendance at corps meetings/events/trainings. The commitment is roughly 37-40 hours per week for service at your host site.
Can I finish early- before the 46 weeks?
No. Members are expected to serve for the entire contracted term of 46 weeks. The agreement with the host sites is that they will have a full time member for the entire term of service. Members who leave the program early will not receive their entire living allowance.
Will I serve with other PHC members?
Most PHC host sites request only one member, however, there are always ongoing service opportunities for the entire Corps, plus member meetings, service projects, and committee work ensure that members interact on a regular basis.
Who will I be serving with?
Members will be exposed to numerous professionals depending on the site they serve at. Members may interact with case managers, physicians, nurses, health educators, program coordinators, etc. The clients a member may work with might include: homeless, uninsured, children, elderly, poor, HIV/AIDS, disabled, etc.
Do you provide housing?
Our program does not provide housing. However, in the past the members that relocate from out of state have used Craigslist or an apartment guide to find housing. If members are interested in a fellow-PHC roommate, they can let the Program Director know and she will share email addresses and contact information so they can correspond.
