HR Intern

Who We Are:

Neighborhood Health Center is a non-profit organization local to Portland, OR serving underserved patients in the areas of primary care, internal medicine, dental services and more. Our patient-centered approach to care honors the unique needs and circumstances of each individual patient. NHC sees people, not problems, and recognizes that the time spent as a patient in a doctors office is only one factor in a persons overall health. Our leading edge, integrated clinical teams work in partnership with patients, their families, and the communities we serve to provide whole-person care, prevention, and ongoing support.

NHC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate differences in the workplace and do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (sex), national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.

Why work with us?

• We are a non-profit organization, passionate about providing the underserved population with medical and dental services across the greater Portland area, committed to making a difference daily.
• We offer our employees a competitive compensation and benefits package which includes 20 days of PTO (based on full time employment), 9 paid holidays, health/dental/vision insurance, quarterly wellness reimbursements, generous 401k retirement plan with employer match, employer paid disability insurance, EAP and life insurance.
• Our employees voted NHC a Top Workplace in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025!

SUMMARY

The HR Generalist Intern provides broad support to the Human Resources department in a mission-driven healthcare setting. This role offers hands-on experience across multiple HR functions, including recruitment, onboarding, employee relations, compliance, and HR operations. The intern will gain exposure to HR practices unique to a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), including regulatory compliance, workforce development, and supporting a diverse, patient-centered workforce. 

Essential Job Duties

HR Shadowing & Learning 

• Shadow HR team members across core functions, including recruitment, onboarding, Leave and Benefits, and HR operations, to gain real-time exposure to HR workflows.  
• Participate in phone interviews, new hire orientations, and HR meetings to understand best practices and organizational standards.
• Support onboarding processes, including new hire paperwork and orientation coordination. 
• Shadow and assist HR team members in the administration of employee leave programs, including FMLA, OFLA, Paid Leave, and ADA accommodations. 
• Shadow HR staff during compliance-related activities such as audits, credential tracking, and policy implementation. 
• Attend cross-functional meetings (e.g., operations, clinical leadership) to understand how HR supports a healthcare workforce. 

HR Projects 

• Assist in creating Standard of Work Templates for the employees. 
• Assist in creating workflows in the NHC-created template. 
• Assist in creating the HR page on our Intranet NINA. 

Learning Opportunities 

• Exposure to HR practices in a community healthcare setting. 
• Develop a foundational understanding of employee leave laws and benefits administration within a healthcare organization.
• Hands-on experience with HRIS systems and employee lifecycle processes.
• Opportunity to contribute to meaningful, mission-driven work serving underserved populations.

Education and/or Experience

Required 

• Currently pursuing a degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, or a related field.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred 

• Basic understanding of HR principles or coursework in HR.
• Experience with HR systems or administrative support.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Behaviors

• Highly punctual and dependable.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain discretion with sensitive or confidential information.
• Must have excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to work under the direction of multiple people.
• Intermediate or higher proficiency of MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks, sometimes with conflicting deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and within a team setting.
• Familiarity with video conferencing applications and software.
• Excellent grammar, spelling, and proofreading skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Customer service orientation.
• Adaptability and willingness to learn.
• Cultural sensitivity and commitment to diversity and inclusion. 
• Problem-solving and critical thinking.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Regularly sit while working on the computer; use hands and fingers to handle, control or feel objects tools or controls; repeat the same movements when entering data; ability to differentiate between colors, shades, and brightness; read from a computer screen for extended periods of time.
• Frequently stand and walk around the office to gather supplies, required to do filing, use office equipment, or collaborate with employees
• Occasionally stand, stoop and lift or move objects, equipment and supplies weighing approximately 20-25 pounds up to 40-50 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Neighborhood Health Center Employment Offers are contingent on successful completion of reference checks, background checks, drug screening for illegal substances, Tuberculosis, and any position specific credentialing or licensure requirements.