Recruitment Period: 07/26/2024 - Until Filled

Status: Per Diem - Work as needed, no guaranteed hours or benefits

Salary Information: $18.00/hour

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) was founded as a 501(c) (3) non-profit medical institution in 2005 aimed at increasing access to health care in medically underserved areas of the Pacific Northwest.

The University currently offers the degrees of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Master of Arts in Medical Science, and Master of Science in Occupational Therapy enrolling over 550 students annually with plans to develop other programs and/or colleges. Interprofessional education partnerships with other universities adds another 100 students to the population. The campus includes 300 employees with academic programming spread over a five state region. 

PNWU is located in Yakima, WA, a city of approximately 95,000 located in the south central part of the state near the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains in a major agricultural and outdoor recreation region. It is approximately 140 miles from Seattle, 170 miles from Portland, and 200 miles from Spokane. The Yakima Valley is a wonderful place to live, work and play. For more information, visit https://www.visityakima.com/.

General Summary:

The pilot project, students from the School of Osteopathic Medicine (SOM - 1st and 2nd year students only), Master of Arts in Medical Sciences (MAMS), and School of Physical Therapy (PT) will interview to be chosen as Ambassadors. Three students will form the first cohort and assist in the creation of affinity circles and develop modules to share knowledge and practices to PNWU faculty, staff, and students. The modules will include topics on unconscious bias, microaggression, social determinants of health, racism in healthcare, and others through the restorative justice lens for PNWU's programs. Students will be paid a small stipend of $18 an hour for approximately 30 hours per semester to serve as ODEI Student Ambassadors.

In the second year of the program, Ambassadors will continue to develop and teach more modules, including those focused on DEI in healthcare and will sustain the affinity circles already created and be open to new forms of support for the underrepresented on our campus. The Ambassadors will be open to listening to the feedback and needs of the students. They must have a spirit of welcoming and being open to change to meet the needs of our student campus in a changing and diverse environment.

Ambassadors will work collaboratively with the BIPOC, first gen, veterans and other undersourced communities to incorporate leaders from these communities into the program. One of the outcomes of the program is to give future healthcare providers a head start in their cultural competence journey. Once they are healthcare practitioners, PNWU students will be more prepared to understand the healthcare needs of marginalized populations, advocate for them and more suited to providing culturally competent care. In addition, Ambassadors will contribute to writing a monthly ODEI newsletter, provide content to the ODEI website, facilitate Community Circles, and lead scholarly activities.

Essential Job Functions:

· Fluid in literature search for best practices

· Present clear and up-to-date power point presentations on DEIB relevant topics to faculty, learners, staff, and external stakeholders

· Basic knowledge of restorative justice practices and community circle facilitation

· Knowledge and understanding of diverse cultures

· Believe and practice in service to others for the common good

· Comfortable engaging with individuals with views and cultures outside of own

· Understands accreditation standards and expectations specific to the department and adheres to policies and procedures to meet or exceed such standards

· Conducts self appropriately and consistently in accordance with the philosophy and mission of PNWU

· Other duties as assigned

Education:

• Required: Bachelor's Degree

Experience:

• Preferred: Experience with leadership, working with diverse communities, mentorship, healthcare advocacy, and restorative justice

Desired Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

Strong organization, interpersonal, and planning skills; strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to work in a team and flexibility to work with others in a variety of circumstances; ability to problem solve by analyzing issues and creating action plans; ability to manage projects and people and prioritize and self-direct work flow; ability to work with and manage different computer programs and databases; and knowledge of social justice and projects/programs

To ensure full consideration submit:

• A letter of introduction outlining background and qualifications for the position

• Detailed curriculum vitae

• Contact information for three professional references

The job announcement above is not the full job description, but represents the job responsibilities and requirements. A full job description can be provided upon request.

PNWU offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees first of the month following date of hire and competitive salary.

For information about life in Yakima visit our PNWU page.

PNWU is a drug-free workplace, equal opportunity employer and educational institution. To request this publication in an alternative format, or to apply in an alternative format, please call Human Resources, 509.452.5100.