[PNWHEALTH] Health Educator position

[Syrenka Slettebak]

The UW School of Social Work has an outstanding opportunity for a Health Educator. The Health Educator will serve on the staff of a NIDA-funded study entitled: "The Teen Marijuana Check-Up". This is a motivational enhancement intervention designed for non-treatment-seeking adolescents who smoke marijuana. This study is being conducted collaboratively by staff at the University of Washington and at Virginia Polytechnic Institute. 

The Health Educator's primary functions will be carried out in the six Seattle-area high schools, and will involve individual meetings with adolescents for the purpose of administering the assessment interviews and delivering three types of intervention sessions. In delivering the motivational enhancement counseling intervention, the Health Educator will: (1) provide accurate information to participants concerning the health and psychological effects associated with marijuana use, (2) assist participants in exploring and potentially resolving ambivalent attitudes about use, and (3) support individuals who wish to quit or cut back in their use of marijuana. In delivering the education intervention, this employee will (1) provide information and facts regarding marijuana's impact on health, brain functioning, and psychological well-being, and (2) answer questions regarding marijuana and its effects. The cognitive-behavioral intervention will require this employee to: (1) assist participants in setting marijuana treatment goals, (2) conduct and review a functional analysis of marijuana use, (3) train participants in marijuana refusal skills, (4) assist participants in identifying positive social supports, and (5) relapse prevention. 

*Conduct assessment interviews with adolescent participants. 
*Deliver two feedback sessions to each participant, utilizing motivational interviewing and cognitive-behavioral skills training strategies or educational strategies. 
*Deliver up to four cognitive-behavioral counseling sessions guided by a treatment protocol to participants who want further support in reducing or quitting their marijuana use. 
*Deliver presentations in high school classes concerning the project and a review of current knowledge about marijuana. 
*Assist staff with the finalization of protocols for recruitment, assessment, and intervention delivery. 
*Assist staff with literature reviews on topics related to the study. 
*Adhere to the project's ethical requirements for the protection of human subjects. 
*From time to time, assist with research tasks associated with other ongoing IPRG studies. 
*Engage in duties related to the recruitment of participants. 

Additional Qualifications:
Requirements: 
*Completion of a bachelor's degree in social work or related field and two years of relevant experience. 
*Skillful in interpersonal relationships. 
*Ability to build and maintain healthy professional relationships. 
*Willingness and ability to adhere to clinical and research protocols. 
*Basic computer skills. 

Desired: 
*Two or more years of experience in the delivery of counseling interventions. 
*Knowledge and skill with cognitive-behavioral counseling. 
*Knowledge and skill with motivational enhancement therapy. 
*Knowledge of drug effects, with particular emphasis on marijuana. 
*Prior experience in the delivery of drug abuse counseling. 
*Research experience. 
*Experience working within a school setting. 

How to Apply:
To apply, please go to https://uwhires.admin.washington.edu/eng/candidates/default.cfm?szLocationID=88 
and type in Req #20695

Job posted on: April 27, 2006

Syrenka L. Slettebak
Community Health Education and Volunteer Programs Coordinator
Northwest Kidney Centers
Phone: (206) 292-2771, ext. 5355
Email: syrenka at nwkidney.org
Website: www.nwkidney.org

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