August 28,2019

My practicum is with RVA Community Cares Program. My job is to call patients before their doctors
appointment to screen them for resources they may need. When I first heard of this it made me think of a
telemarketing job. But the more I read about it I realized that I would be helping patients get the resources
they need to become healthy. The first time I called a patient I was nervous they would hang up on me
because they may think I was a sales person or scam calling. But they did not. They were actually
surprised that I wanted to help them. I was able to screen them and although they did not qualify they
were still grateful that someone cared. I did get some hang ups but not many. I got a few people that
wanted to tell me their whole life story before I could screen them. I am not much of a phone person but it
wasn't too bad. I am a face to face person.This experience is different than what I am used to. I did not
have anyone who qualified for resources my first time calling but I still have many weeks to go. I learn a
lot from this program and be able to help those in need.

October 14,2019

For my practicum so far is going well. I am still calling patients from home to screen
them for any resources they may need. I get some hang ups but not many. Some
people are just glad to have someone who cares try to help them. I do not get many
people who want to be screened but those who do are very grateful. I spent 20 minutes
on the phone last week with a woman who just wanted someone to talk to. I didn't try
get off the phone with her. I just listened and found out she needed many resources to
help keep her healthy. I was able to put her in contact with the resources she needed. It
felt good to help someone in need. I have about 4 more weeks left and I hope I am able
to help more people.