Process Improvement Intern - Summer 2027

About the role

• Process Improvement Internship
• Job Code: 1079
• Department: Leadership Team/Process Improvement
• Reporting Relationship: Process Improvement Specialist
• Pay: $18/hour

Mary Free Bed Summary

We have the great privilege of helping patients and families re-build their lives. It's extraordinarily meaningful work and the reason we greet the day with optimism and anticipation. When patients "Ask for Mary," they experience a culture that has been shaped for more than a century. Our hallmark is to carefully listen to patients and innovatively serve them. This is true of every employee - from support staff and leadership, to clinicians and care providers.

Mary Free Bed is a not-for-profit, nationally accredited rehabilitation hospital serving thousands of children and adults each year through inpatient, outpatient, sub-acute rehabilitation, orthotics and prosthetics, and home and community programs. With the most comprehensive rehabilitation services in Michigan and an exclusive focus on rehabilitation, our physicians, nurses, and therapists help patients achieve outstanding clinical outcomes. The growing Mary Free Bed Network provides patients throughout the state with access to our unique standard of care.

Mission Statement

Restoring hope and freedom through rehabilitation.

At Mary Free Bed, we take pride in our values-based culture

• Focus on Patient Care. A selfless drive to serve and heal connects all MFB employees.
• Clinical Variety & Challenge. An interdisciplinary approach and a top team of professionals create ever-changing opportunities.
• Family Culture. We offer the stability of a large organization while nurturing a small-team atmosphere.
• Trust in Each Other. Every employee is trusted to make decisions that support our patients, staff, and community.
• A Proud Tradition. Years of dedicated, quality service have built a reputation that fills our employees with pride.

Summary

The Intern provides support with a wide range of daily tasks and projects involving HR compliance, recruiting, onboarding, employee engagement, and general administrative responsibilities. This internship is designed to offer broad exposure to Human Resources operations and Talent Acquisition processes to help the intern develop practical knowledge and professional experience.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• A3 Thinking & Problem Solving: Assist in developing A3 reports to document root cause analysis and proposed countermeasures for operational challenges.
• Waste Walks & Observations: Conduct regular "Gemba" walks and waste identification sessions across clinical and administrative departments.
• Data Collection & Time Studies: Perform time-and-motion studies to establish productivity baselines and identify bottlenecks in patient flow or staff workflows.
• Process Mapping: Create current-state and future-state maps to visualize complex healthcare processes and support standardization.
• Visual Management: Assist in the design and implementation of visual cues, dashboards, and huddle boards to improve communication and transparency.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work alongside clinical staff, therapy teams, and leadership to validate findings and ensure sustainable changes

Customer Service Responsibilities

• Demonstrate excellent customer service and standards of behavior.
• Encourage, coach, and model these behaviors in others.
• Promote teamwork, maintain confidentiality, and handle sensitive information with discretion.

Responsibilities in Quality Improvement

• Identify problems and seek solutions.
• Promote patient and employee satisfaction where possible.
• Participate in departmental efforts to monitor and report service quality.

Essential Job Qualifications

Educational Background: Currently enrolled in an accredited program for Industrial Engineering, Industrial Operations, or Healthcare Administration.

• Mindset: Highly self-motivated with a passion for Lean methodologies and continuous improvement.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel for data analysis, PowerPoint for presentations).
• Soft Skills: Strong interpersonal skills to navigate a multidisciplinary clinical environment with sensitivity and professionalism.

Internship Benefits

• Hands-on Education: Receive formal training and mentorship in Lean tools (A3, 5S, Kaizen).
• Professional Portfolio: Walk away with a portfolio of completed projects that demonstrate tangible impact on hospital operations.
• Culture: Experience a "Family Culture" that values innovation, trust, and a shared drive to serve patients.

Academic Requirements & Work Schedule

• 20-40 hours per week for a 12-16 (tbd) week period.
• Hours and duration determined upon awarding the internship.
• Internship focuses on education and hands-on training. Interns are not considered employees and should not expect employment at completion.
• Supervisors will coordinate schedules to avoid academic conflicts.
• Interns receive mid-point and final evaluations based on learning goals.
• Academic credit may be coordinated with the student's institution when feasible.

Physical Requirements for Essential Job Qualification

Levels

• Able to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (up to 1/3 of the time)
• Able to lift, carry, push, pull, up to 10 pounds occasionally
• Able to sit for the majority of the time, but may involve brief periods of time involving walking or standing.
• Able to use keyboard frequently (1/3 to 2/3 of the time)