POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Health Career Coordinator, AHEC
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 5604
GRADE 43
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Director, Southwest Missouri Area Health Education Center (SWMO AHEC)
MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR Director, Ozarks Public Health Institute
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Health Career Coordinator works with local communities, schools, hospitals, other medical facilities, and state educational and social service agencies to plan and implement health profession recruitment, education, and assistance programs. Specific program activities include establishment of education partnerships, identification of interested/promising youth and adults, organization and implementation of academic enrichment activities, and coordination of shadowing and health-related community service opportunities to prepare youth for entry into and successful completion of health professional training programs. The Health Career Coordinator works with the Clinical Education Manager to facilitate physician preceptor recruitment efforts, student rotation scheduling, and preceptor development workshops. This is a grant-funded position; continued employment is contingent on funding.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor’s degree in education, communication, or a health-related field is required; a Master’s degree in education, communication, or a health-related field is preferred.
Experience: A minimum of two years of experience in health care or health education is required. Knowledge of and experience using social media, such as Facebook and websites, as a marketing tool to reach students. Experience as a health care professional is preferred.
Skills: Effective organizational skills, program/project planning and implementation skills, effective interpersonal communication skills, effective written and verbal communication skills, knowledge of and the ability to use basic office machines, and ability to understand and follow written and/or verbal directions are required. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Publisher is required. Must be detail-oriented and have ability to process and interpret diverse information while working simultaneously on several projects. Confidentiality is required for sensitive information. The ability to create posters, postcards, flyers, and other recruitment materials as need to advertise events is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required. Knowledge of health professions training programs preferred.
Other: Some overnight travel is required. May be required to transport students on occasion. A valid Missouri driver’s license and automobile insurance as required by the state of Missouri are required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Works with local communities, schools, hospitals, other medical facilities, and state educational and social service agencies to plan and implement health profession recruitment programs in Southwest Missouri by developing, conducting, and reporting needs assessments concerning recruitment, retention, and optimal distribution of health professionals determined to be the most needed in the region.
2. Develops a strategic plan for the implementation of a rural initiative to recruit interested students into the health professions by collaborating with SWMO AHEC staff, boards, and the Missouri Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) staff, developing contacts with prospective students, particularly targeting early nurturing, developing motivational programs to introduce health careers, and promoting academic preparation excellence in elementary and secondary schools.
3. Develops and implements health profession recruitment programs (including medical students) with necessary partners by developing initiatives for health career education programming to include shadowing experiences, health career events/workshops, mentoring programs, summer enrichment programs, health career opportunities manuals, counseling/referral services, animal dissections, and evaluation and long-term tracking from recruitment through alumni status.
4. Encourages participation from local educators, health professionals, and communities by developing linkages with SWMO AHEC school districts that involve administrators, guidance counselors, and health/science/math classroom instructors and incorporating media promotion of health careers to focus the general public’s attention on health career opportunities and related education options.
5. Implements specific strategies promoting rural student recruitment, such as role model workshops, academic support groups, shadowing and mentoring programs, and health career opportunity fairs.
6. Helps to assure the continued effectiveness of recruitment strategies by providing for ongoing data collection to provide long-range student tracking and program evaluation, continually monitoring and upgrading recruitment activities to accommodate current needs and demands, and identifying, exploring, and pursuing grants related to the support and development of recruitment services for SWMO AHEC in cooperation with MAHEC and other statewide AHEC agencies, with particular attention paid to future self-sufficiency of all activities.
7. Works closely with the Health Programs Coordinator on planning, management, and scheduling of workshops, AHEC Career Enhancement Scholars (ACES) activities, health presentations in schools, and meetings with school and/or hospital leadership.
8. Collaborates with health systems and other partners to provide disaster moulage at simulation events.
9. Keeps up-to-date with advances in technology and social media in order to reach middle school and high school students effectively.
10. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
11. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the AHEC Director.
12. Contributes to the overall success of the SWMO AHEC by performing all other duties as assigned, including financial bookkeeping and ordering supplies as needed.
SUPERVISION
The Health Career Coordinator, AHEC is supervised by the Director of the SWMO AHEC.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED DECEMBER 2016
