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The Healthy Minds at Work (HMAW) project is a joint effort of the Center for Adolescent Health and the Youth Opportunity (YO!) Program to bring health promotion activities, especially those focusing on mental health, to YO! participants. The YO Program provides employment training for 16-24 year olds in East Baltimore. The Peer Leadership Group (PLG) was established in January 2006 to increase mental health awareness and help-seeking behaviors of YO! members. Following training in communication, group facilitation and mental health, the PLGs lead peer support group sessions that discuss issues such as mistrust of service providers; mental health stigma; and mental health problems such as anger, depression, anxiety, grief and loss.

The Research Program Assitant for the HMAW Project will have two main sets of responsibilities. First, this individual will serve work with faculty and staff at the Johns Hopkins University on various aspects of a mental health research project, including data collection, recruitment of study participants, and updating various research databases.
Second, the Research Program Assistant will be responsible for leading peer support groups and other mental health-related activities at the YO Center. In leading these mental health activities, the outreach worker will be taking on the role of peer educator working directly with adolescents and young adults enrolled at the YO program.

We are seeking an outgoing, energetic applicant who is comfortable discussing sensitive issues with his or her peers. Interest in mental health is preferred. Enthusiasm, creativity, dedication and excellent organizational skills. Familiarity with Baltimore. Ability to work independently. Sensitive to high-risk population and non-judgmental attitude. Previous experience in a research environment and/or as a peer educator is a plus, but not necessary. Cultural competency of urban, low income communities and familiarity with Baltimore is a must.
The majority of time spent in this position will take place at the HEBCAC YO! Center, recruiting participants for PLG group classes and facilitating the classes. The outreach worker will also be participating in other YO activities throughout the week to bring information about mental health services to members of YO.

One to two days per week will be spent at the Center for Adolescent Health doing the following: administering health screen surveys over the computer, collecting and recording data using an online database, making follow-up calls and scheduling appointments and other administrative duties.

Additional duties include attending HMAW staff Meetings with both the YO Center team and the research team at the Center for Adolescent Health; Attending HMAW project activities outside the Center for Adolescent Health; Assisting in the planning and coordination of Peer Education group activities; Making recommendations regarding HMAW projects.

Will work under the direction of and report to HMAW Project Coordinators at both the YO Center and the Center for Adolescent Health. Degree of independent action is dependent upon job performance. Internal contact with Center faculty and staff. External contact will be with YO staff and its members. This is a full time position (40 hours/week) with benefits.

High School Diploma/GED required. Two years related experience. Additional education may substitute for experience.

http://jobs.jhu.edu
Job Requisition # 41341