YouthCHAT Actor

The Division of General Pediatrics & Adolescent Health (DoGPAH) in the Department of Pediatrics is hiring YouthCHAT Actors - the YouthCHAT Actor/Advisor role has 2 components:
1) to serve as youth actors in a simulated patient role for healthcare professionals in training and
2) serve as youth advisors to staff and faculty on programs and projects related to adolescent and young adult health.

YouthCHAT Actors/Advisors will also serve as advisors to staff and faculty on projects and programs related to adolescent and young adult health. The purpose of the youth advisory board meetings will be to provide ideas and feedback on activities such as research, community‑engaged work, and dissemination of findings and recommendations. Examples of the topics that may be discussed include youth experiencing homelessness, LGBTQIA health care, justice involved youth, sexuality education, gender & sexual health and general adolescent health and wellness.

YouthCHAT Actors/Advisors will also have the opportunity to participate in leadership development activities such as facilitation skills, research development processes and learn about the work and research profiles of Division staff and faculty.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Attend a series of orientation / training sessions to develop skills necessary to support healthcare professionals in clinical interview skills and communication. (10%)
• Work with YouthCHAT faculty to develop adolescent/young adult patient "character" that will serve as the basis for practice clinical interview with clinical trainee. (5%)
• Conduct virtual or in-person training sessions, including 1-2 practice clinical interview sessions per month (up to 2 hours each) with medical, nursing, or other clinical trainees (40% of time).
• Provide thoughtful and specific feedback to clinical trainee during session about how they might improve their clinical interview skills (5%)
• Attend monthly 2 hour Youth Advisory Board meetings which include presentations of adolescent and young adult health related projects in progress within the division and provide input and guidance on those projects to DoGPAH staff & faculty (20%)
• Meet regularly with YouthCHAT staff to discuss program, address concerns, make adjustments to "character", etc (5%)
• Respond promptly to requests from DOGPAH staff for scheduling session trainees (3%)
• Provide constructive feedback to staff regarding program development and other topics as requested. (10%)
• Keep track of hours, complete required staff trainings & paperwork, and maintain other tasks required by University of Minnesota for employment & payment (2%)

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Comfort with discussing sensitive health topics, such as sexual health, mental health & substance use
• Interest in improving health care for adolescents and young adults
• Interest in working with healthcare professionals
• Ability to work virtually and synchronously 1-2 Friday mornings per month
• Ability to attend in-person meetings on Twin Cities campus on a periodic basis
• Organized, responsive, and detail-oriented
• Commitment to centering equity in their professional work and to creating an inclusive, anti-oppressive, and safe work environment
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to connect with people and establish effective working relationships with team members, youth and diverse community partners
• Willingness to take initiative, ask questions, clarify directions and tasks as needed
• Ability to work independently with support from supervisors and plan, organize, and prioritize workload in an efficient and timely manner
• Comfort and familiarity with computer programs such as:
  Google Drive, Microsoft Word, Zoom

Preferred:

• Ability to portray voice & perspectives of young people ages 16-24
• Prior experience in acting &/or peer teaching or group facilitation, with a willingness to strategically draw on personal experiences to enhance training effectiveness through storytelling and strategic roleplay
• Experience working on efforts related to adolescent health or youth development
• Demonstrated skill in presenting to internal and external audiences via in-person, virtual platforms, and recorded media
• Interest and/or experience contributing to adolescent health research

The Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Health is committed to achieving health, justice, and positive development for all children, youth, and families through community-centered health care, research,…