2 Graduate Research Assistant Positions

Applications are invited for a graduate level research assistant (GRA) position to begin immediately. Dr. Mandy Golman, Department of Health Studies, and Dr. Nila Ricks, Department of Social Work are seeking two GRA positions to participate in a teen pregnancy prevention research project funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Adolescent Health. The project is a 5 year project, refunded annually. The GRA position will be renewed each semester. This project includes conducting a community needs assessment in 5 targeted zip codes in South and West Dallas for the first six months. Subsequent months will be focused on managing the program intervention with several community partners. Hours will be flexible as will require some weekend and evening data collection. Potential Job Tasks: Conducting focus groups with parents, teens, and teen parents Distributing surveys to community partners. Intervention fidelity monitoring and data collection and entry. Working on quantitative and qualitative research projects using statistical software. Providing assistance in all phases of this project, including data collection, analysis, presentation, and dissemination. Helping to make results accessible for lay audiences (newsletter articles, results flyer). Frequent travel to Dallas to the program locations. Preferred qualifications: Interests in community health, public health, women’s health, adolescent health, health disparities, social work, sociology, psychology. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Strong computer skills. Mode of transportation for travel to Dallas. Women and members of underrepresented minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply. To apply: Submit your name, CV or resume, and a one paragraph statement of interest to mgolman@twu.edu as soon as possible.

Insights on Internship: Interview with Serena De La Cruz

Serena De La Cruz is one of our recent graduates. Serena graciously took time out of her busy schedule to  share her experience during her internship as well as advice for future interns. 

Can you tell us a bit more about your internship?

I completed my internship with the Area Agency on Aging in Northwest Arkansas. My job was to work with multiple senior activity and wellness centers in Northwest Arkansas. Every month, I would develop an interactive presentation on one of the monthly health observances and present these at each of the center's throughout the month. In addition, I wrote an article for the monthly newsletters.  I was also fortunate enough to be able to develop my own semester long project. I conducted needs assessments in the senior centers, took that data to find the most needed topic of education, and used that to develop a final event for the seniors. I found a dietitian to come and talk to seniors during a lunch and learn. She covered nutrition specifically for seniors and answered questions. I took what I learned from program planning through evaluation to do this. I was very fortunate to have such a wonderful educational background that prepared me for this activity.

Which Health Studies class has been the most useful during your internship?

It's hard to choose just one class that was the most helpful. I really feel like I used all of my classes combined! If I had to choose one that was specifically helpful during internship, it would be Health Communications. I was working with a population of adults over the age of 60 so how you present the information was crucial. Everything from best format and clear speaking to determining health literacy levels had to be just right in order to reach this population.

What piece of advice do you think is most important when looking for an internship?

Find a place that works with a population that you are passionate about working with. I have always enjoyed working with the elderly and therefore knew that I would wake up every morning excited for my day. I found a site that also allowed me to really take control of my experience and I think that doing so made a huge difference for me. I was able to develop my own activities while also working closely with my preceptor on things that she felt would be helpful to me.

What piece of advice is the most important during the internship?

Network, network, network. This is your chance to meet and develop relationships with others in our field. They will be your "in" after graduation. Take advantage of any opportunity because you never know who you will meet. I got my first job through a woman that I met while attending a class that my preceptor couldn't make it to. She emailed me about 3 months after I graduated with a job posting forwarded from one of her acquaintances. One month later I had a job as a project coordinator for the Northwest Arkansas Tobacco and Drug Free Coalition.

Can you tell us what you are doing now as a Health Studies graduate?

As mentioned previously, I found a job as a project coordinator pretty much straight out of school. I had a wonderful 8 months working in the non-profit world and managed a tobacco grant through the Arkansas Department of Health. I have to say, I would not have been able to do that job without the grant writing class. I had to write a grant proposal to get re-funded!

 In March, an opportunity presented itself that I couldn't pass up. I am now working for TrestleTree (a health transformation company) as a health coach. Every day I get to help people with everything from tobacco cessation to weight loss and stress. I am fortunate because I get to see my work make a direct impact in people's lives.

How did your internship help you in obtaining a job and prepare you for your job?

In terms of obtaining a job, I would have to go back to the networking piece. I really do believe that getting out there and meeting new people is key. I came across my current employer through an informational interview that I set up during my internship. When I think back to how my internship prepared me for my job, I feel that it all comes down to personal and professional development. The time that I spent actually implementing what I learned in my classes was both gratifying and encouraging. I went into my first job very confident that I had the skills to do great work.

*One last piece of advice: Sit for the CHES exam before you graduate if you can. The information is fresh in your mind and it is becoming more and more important to have when applying for jobs!

You might also like:

Insights on Internship: Interview with Cheyenne Peluso

Spotlight - Interview with Kurt Krause, Coordinator of Experiential Learning at the Pioneer Center for Student Excellence

Repost - Career Search Web Resources

With graduation just around the corner as well as many of you looking to change jobs or shift directions, we thought we would share this previous post on career resources on the web. Happy job hunting!

Career Search Web Resources

Education is essential. With education we are getting a glimpse of what our fields entail. From our academic tasks and course seminars we are building a foundation of knowledge of the careers we wish to take part in. Education means gaining knowledge and building credentials and is a crucial in meeting vocational goals. Still, when it comes to establishing oneself in the workforce, earning a degree is only one step in the right direction. Many people, especially students, find that searching for a career and making preparations outside of academia are quests within themselves. When encountered with this reality, several questions come to mind. What are the necessary steps that I need to take to start preparing for a career? When and where should I start looking? Who can I ask for advice the job search and gaining vocational experience? Thanks to the technology of the Digital Age, namely the Internet, we have access to several career-oriented sources. Regardless of the treasure trove of sources, being inundated with information can still make the job search overwhelming. To tackle the issue of wading through the Internet for career resources, a list below gives a brief review of websites that can serve as starting points.

Big Interview - Interactive website designed to help you with interviews. Some features of the website include learning modules that address commonly asked questions within interviews and provide information on the most effective way to gain opportunities for interviews. A practical feature of the website is the audio and visual recording of your performance as you engage in interview questions. This feature of the website is perhaps the most useful in that it allows you not only to practice interviews, but to analyze your performance for improvement. Although there is a cost to register as a user of Big Interview, the website is sure to provide those on the job hunt with the skills and confidence needed to make a great impression for potential employers.

Web Link: http://biginterview.com/

JobseekersAdvice.com - As freelance consultant and site founder Scott Boyd states, the website has “information and lots of it” (JobseekersAdvice.com, 2013). Jobseekers Advice is an online forum for people on the job hunt. For frequently asked questions about cover letters, resumes and interviews, the website contains articles that provide the answers. Knowledge of the workplace doesn’t stop at gaining entry into the job, but extends to matters such as job promotion and social etiquette amongst bosses and fellow colleagues. In addition to articles, Jobseekers Advice offer guidance through blog posts which also makes a good online podium for career seekers and professional recruiters alike. Granted that the website’s founder warns that the forum is not recruiting agency or a business designed to find careers, Jobseekers Advice is an online source for free advice that can point its visitors in the right direction.

Web Link: http://jobseekersadvice.com/

Eddins Counseling Group - The mission of the Eddins Counseling website centers on both the personal and vocational wellbeing of its users. Just as the site offers assistance to improve mental health, it is also dedicated to providing career counseling services. Along with blog posts, website gives links to resources designed to help job seekers search and prepare for their chosen vocation. For web browsers who are looking for more than links to help them on their job search, appointments can be made either online or by phone to schedule a meeting with certified career counselors stationed in Houston, Texas.

Web Link: http://eddinscounseling.com/counseling-services/career-counseling/career-counseling-for-students/

Vocationvillage.com - Dr. Janet Scarborough Civitelli is a vocational psychologist and career coach. Through the Vocation Village website, she shares her insight on finding a career and achieves both professional and personal success. For those starting out in their search for a career, Dr. Civitelli gives advice concerning education and work experience. Even veterans of the workplace and individuals holding executive positions can benefit from the career coach’s consultation about strategies that can help them reach career goals. In addition to receiving online counseling through the Vocation Village page, Dr. Civitelli welcomes all visitors of the website to ask for guidance by phone as well.

Web Link: http://www.vocationvillage.com/best-career-advice-sites/

The weLEAD - Want to be a better supervisor? Are you interested in building the foundations to take on any leadership role? If so, the weLEAD might be the right place for job seekers who are willing to take charge and motivate. The website is all about honing the skills necessary to the courier of positive leadership. Discussion forums and articles are available for those who wish to share their inquiries about leadership as well as to gain knowledge from professionals experienced in management. Additionally, the website provides information for seminars and workshops schedules for those who are interested in interacting with leaders, including the website founder, face to face. Though there might be varying costs to the seminars and workshops, the weLEAD website may be a source well worth the time of prospective leaders.

Web Link: http://www.leadingtoday.org/Who_Are_We.html

The Internet can be a convenient resource for people on the lookout for jobs. At the same time, one can become flustered sifting through endless links, trying to pick out the trustworthy from the unreliable. In spite of the overwhelming task of career searching through the Internet, the journey to find and prepare for a profession is not impossible. Hopefully, the brief review of the five websites listed above can ensure a successful beginning to finding your place in the workforce.

What Internet sites have you found to be helpful in your job search and why? We'd love to hear from you!

This post was originally written by Whitnee Lowe.

Interested in becoming a health educator? Check out our website and contact us to discuss which program might be the best for you. 

If you enjoyed this post, please be sure to share!

Job Possibilities for March 5, 2015

The Director of Community Engagement and Public Health Initiatives - Austin, TX

The Director of Community Engagement and Public Health Initiatives is the public health professional responsible for providing leadership and direction on public health program content; implementation and evaluation of programs with emphasis on measurable outcomes using data and best practices; prioritization of programmatic objectives, activities, and budget needs; continuation and development of team-based approaches; integration of public health programmatic activities as well as effective use of CHWC staff capacity. Acting as a CHWC liaison to local/regional partners, community stakeholders, and funders, the Director works independently and collaboratively with CHWC’s staff to direct, develop, manage, and implement activities in the following areas: public health programming, community-based technical assistance; research and evaluation; resource development; grant and contract management and report writing; community-based organizational development; community engagement; and meeting development and implementation. The Director requires a clear understanding and empathy for the challenges faced by asset-, resource-, and capacity- lacking and/or under served communities; a firm grasp of community capacity building; and knowledge/understanding of racial equity and determinants of health.



Health Coordinator - Austin, TX

General Description: This position serves as a Health Coordinator for a Head Start program. The Health Coordinator plans and collaborates with other coordinators and staff in the Head Start program to ensure the health and well-being of all children in the Head Start program.



Program Coordinator - Houston, TX 

The primary purpose for this position is to assist with infrastructure-related startup and ongoing implementation activities for Tobacco Moonshot/Platform projects. Provides assistance to the Director and Co-Principal Investigators of the Tobacco Moonshot/Platform Program. Assists in developing and maintaining project plans, timelines and budgets, and tracks progress against milestones and deliverables. Assists in developing and maintaining community relationships with program partners, collaborators and stakeholders. Conducts assessments, evaluation data collection and other data-gathering tasks for the projects. Assists in preparation of project and program reports and presentations.

Health Educator - Evans City, PA

Full time Health Educator positions available. Beaver County and Butler County projects. Health Educators must develop, market, present, and evaluate programs, and complete reports. Critical skills include demonstrated project management, public speaking, committee leadership, excellent communication (written and oral), ability to start and complete tasks with creativity, accuracy, and using current health education trends and information. Continuing education through training (required trainings paid by company), reading literature, and online subscriptions required.


Health Educator (UNM) - Albuquerque, NM

Under general supervision, plans, implements, develops materials and evaluates health education and/or clinical training programs, conferences, and other associated activities for individual, group, and/or community needs. Collaborates with other health specialists to ascertain health needs, develop desirable health goals, and determine availability of professional health services. Develops and maintain cooperation between public, civic, professional, and voluntary agencies.


Health Promotion/Wellness Program Coordinator - Saint Paul, MN

HealthSource Solutions is looking for an experienced health promotion professional to work as a full-time (40 hrs) Sr. Program Coordinator. This position will provide project oversight, serve as the liaison and internal resource for health promotion initiatives, oversee Healthy Living marketing and communications and oversee site coordinators at all plant locations. A large percent of this position is behind the scenes with communication to plants via phone and email. Candidates will work with a team to develop, implement and evaluate quality wellness programs and resources. The ability to work independently, manage multiple projects and be very detail oriented is vital to this position. Strong problem solving and troubleshooting skills with the ability to exercise mature judgment are essential. Strong writing, organization and communication skills are expected. This position will report to 3M at the St. Paul headquarters location.

Job Possibilities for February 12, 2015

Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention Program Coordinator - Stephenville, TX

Responsible for developing and maintaining a comprehensive, holistic wellness program focusing on alcohol and other drugs and violence prevention education efforts. The coordinator will support student success by working closely with departments in the Division of Student Life as well as other relevant campus departments, students, faculty, staff and appropriate community agencies to develop and articulate a University vision and consistent messages regarding healthy student behaviors.


Health Coach - Wellness - Greater Dallas, TX

This exciting Aetna Wellness Health Coach position is a work-at-home/telework opportunity in the greater Dallas, TX OR Ann Arbor, MI OR Houston, TX area, but also includes up to 75% weekly local travel.

POSITION SUMMARY As a Wellness Health Coach, you will utilize a collaborative process of health and wellness education and delivery, in conjunction with the client's health and wellness staff, to plan and implement wellness events and programs to promote/influence members in decisions related to achieving and maintaining optimal health status. The goal of these programs/events is to help members achieve healthy lifestyle behaviors and align these lifestyle behaviors with individual wellness goals.


Health Coach (Diabetes CDE)- Dallas, TX - 1010107 

DESCRIPTION POSITION PURPOSE: Provide telephonic disease management services to individuals with diabetes. Services may include educating members, counseling and coordinating care. Act as the Health Coach for patients with diabetes Has discretion on clinical care plans but will have oversight by a Clinical Specialist Meet minimum standards for productivity and clinical results Provide assessments on new participants to determine clinical risk and readiness to change Maintain accurate and timely documentation in member management software of telephonic and written communications Act as case manager when integrating with other health care service vendors as specified by individual clients May make calls to newsletter participants/members as individual client needs dictate Complete required reports in a timely manner Enhance clinical and counseling knowledge by attending and actively participating in Company training sessions. Attend relevant professional seminars to maintain licensure/certification Comply with company policies and procedures including handling confidential forms and accreditation standard.


Program Specialist II - Arlington, TX

JOB DESCRIPTION: Under the direction of the Manager, Community Health Services, performs duties that support population-based regional issues, increasing local capacity to carry out public health essential functions and create or enhance the public health presence in counties with limited or non-existent public health resources. Coordinates and collaborates population-based activities with staff of other regional programs, Public relation skills are required in order to disseminate information regarding TDH, State and Federal standards, policies, and procedures, guidelines, health promotion, public health issues, disease prevention and population-based services in Health Service Region 2/3. Assist in responding to regional public health emergencies such as disease outbreaks, biological, environmental and weather. This may include but is not limited to prevention, surveillance and control. This position requires travel. Employee must provide transportation. If an employee operates a personal or state motor vehicle in performance of their official duties, the employee must possess a current valid Texas driver's license for the appropriate type vehicle.This position requires that an employee's driving record be verified with law enforcement to ensure compliance with TDSHS driving policy.


Health Educator-Intermediate - San Antoinio, TX

We are seeking qualified individuals to help develop and implement evidence-based substance abuse treatment within the context of a federally-funded treatment program for juvenile and criminal justice involved populations. This position offers the opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary team providing clinical care to community outpatients with a substance use disorder and other co-morbid conditions. Primary activities will involve screening adults for substance use problems, providing a brief intervention, and referral to treatment. Primary activities and decision making authority will be performed under the supervision of a licensed clinician. Bilingual educators and/or those experienced with the SBIRT model are preferred.


Wellness Communications Specialist (Contract) Austin, TX

The Wellness Communications Specialist is a member of the Wellness & Recognition team that works closely with the Communications team, and is committed to designing and writing informational and promotional pieces for Southwest Key’s Employee Wellness and Employee Recognition programs. This position reports directly to the Wellness & Recognition Program Administrator to maintain awareness of upcoming initiatives and anticipate corresponding communications needs so that they can notify the Communications Director in a timely and effective manner. The Wellness Communications Specialist is responsible for conceptualizing, writing and designing a myriad of internal campaigns meant to educate, inform and incentivize Southwest Key’s 2000+ employees to better health, wellbeing, and job satisfaction.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Works with the Southwest Key Employee Wellness & Recognition team to evaluate and anticipate the communications needs of the two programs. Forms creative strategies to solve for the communications needs of Southwest Key’s Employee Wellness and Employee Recognition programs. Conceptualizes, writes and designs collateral pieces such as posters, flyers, email blasts and more in order to achieve communications goals of Wellness & Recognition Programs. Collaborates with the Communications Director to keep the rest of the Communications team apprised of upcoming job requests from the Wellness and Recognition team. Works with the Communications Director and Graphic Designers to ensure that Southwest Key branding standards are upheld and that effective and realistic communications timelines and goals are set and maintained.

Job Openings - UNT Health Promotion Lecturer Positions

There are two lecturer position open at the University of North Texas Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion, and Recreation.

You can download the description here:

http://www.slideshare.net/modo23/unt-hlth-kine-2013-lecturer-position

 You can download the description here:

http://www.slideshare.net/modo23/unt-health-promotion-2013-lecturer-position

Job Opportunities with Cigna in Memphis, TN.

My name is Gwynne Saul and I am with the Cigna Onsite Health Promotion Team. We are seeking individuals to represent CIGNA and present our lifestyle management programs to some of our clients in the Memphis, TN area. This is a per-diem opportunity.

I currently have 4 clients in the Memphis area where I am in need of a health educator with public speaking and/or teaching experience. All of our programs are already created so you would be responsible for learning the material content and presenting the information.  You do not have to create the power points or programs; there is some phone/webinar training involved.

The details of the Lifestyle Management Programs are:

12 Week Weight Management Program

Affiliated Services

May 20^th – August 5^th

3:30pm to 4:30pm

6400 Shelby View Drive, Suite 101

Memphis, TN 39134

12 Week Weight Management Program

South Hospital

May 21^st – August 6^th

11:00a to noon

1300 Wesley Drive

Memphis, TN 38116

5 Week Pre-Hypertension Program

South Hospital

May 23^rd – June 20^th

11:00am to noon

1300 Wesley Drive

Memphis, TN 38116

5 Week Pre-Hypertension Program

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office

June 18 – July 16

Time: TBD

5 Week Cholesterol Program

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office

August 13 – Sept. 10

Time: TBD

Compensation for these classes is $200 for training (per program taught). Training consists of 2 one hour trainings via phone/web; plus self study. Each week taught is paid at $125 plus applicable mileage.

If you are interested in teaching any of the above classes (or multiple classes), please let me know!

Thanks so much,

Gwynne Saul

Gwynne Saul, CHES

Senior Health Educator/Account Manager

Cigna Everyday Health Engagement Team

Office Phone: 972-863-4297

Mobile Phone: 972-689-8931

E-Fax: 855-744-3526

Email: gwynne.saul@cigna.com