The Northwest Native American Center of Excellence (NNACoE) works to sustainably address the health care needs of all people by increasing AIAN representation in the health professions workforce via culturally informed, evidence-based health education programming designed for Indigenous healthcare learners, students, and professionals. NNACoE sits within the Department of Family Medicine and is an institution-wide resource for AI/AN students and faculty. With an annual operating budget of $3 million from federal grants, foundations, and institutional commitments, NNACoE’s twelve (12) study initiatives span five (5) critical points along the education continuum, beginning as early as middle school and continuing through early faculty development.

 

NNACoE includes 24 research team members comprised of clinicians, faculty, and staff housed across OHSU. Since NNACoE’s founding in 2017, the number of AIAN medical students at OHSU has more than tripled, making OHSU home to one of the highest concentrations of AIAN medical students in the country. NNACoE has developed robust partnerships with Tribes, Native-serving organizations, regional universities, and with tribes in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, California, and Alaska. Once focused only on OHSU Medicine, NNACoE now builds pathway programs in Schools of Dentistry and Nursing, and provides consultation on recruitment, training, and retention of AI/ANs in Pharmacy and Public Health. In addition to being an OHSU-wide resource for AI/ANs, NNACoE serves AI/AN students and academic clinical faculty nationally.

 

Tribal Health Scholars (THS) is a clinical shadowing externship for AIAN high school youth to gain exposure to health careers at their own Tribal Health Clinics and build educational pathways through one-on-one coaching. Youth participate in a 14-week virtual curriculum and 4-week clinical shadowing externship at their local tribal health clinic. Scholars also meet as a group with THS team members each week to discuss a multitude of healthcare careers and the pathways to pursue them.

 

The THS Assistant will 1) Support all activities related to Tribal Health Scholars; 2) Help expand Tribal Health Scholars to other tribal communities in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and beyond; and 3) Assist in developing and maintaining a Tribal Health Scholars alumni network. Additionally, they will play a critical role in other research and programmatic efforts for NNACoE. Experience working with AI/AN communities is required.

 

We value candidates with relevant life experiences and experience working with AI/AN communities. Research shows that women and people of color are less likely to apply for positions, unless they believe they meet all of the qualifications in a job description. Please think broadly about your relevant experience for this role. If you are passionate about uplifting the communities we serve, we encourage you to apply.

Key Responsibilities & Performance Standards

Program Coordination

• Support all activities related to Tribal Health Scholars
• Cultivate relationships with regional tribes, higher education departments, high schools, tribal high school students, and tribal health clinics to ensure successful recruitment of and support for THS participants.
• Deliver the THS curriculum through virtual learning sessions, adapting based on annual feedback.
• Work with tribal health clinics to create and schedule clinical externship experiences for each THS participant.
• Coordinate THS events including outreach presentations, IRB information nights, end-of-the-year focus groups, and/or THS summits.
• Provide one-on-one and group mentoring sessions with scholars; communicate with scholars outside of weekly sessions to provide support as needed via email, phone, and text messaging platform.
• Help expand Tribal Health Scholars to other tribal communities in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and beyond.
• Conduct regional outreach with tribes, higher education departments, high schools, and tribal health clinics.
• Assess readiness of tribes to implement THS in their communities in partnership with NNACoE and THS leadership; work in tandem with Tribal partners and Tribal health clinics to determine THS scholar capacity and available healthcare specialties for shadowing.
• Assist in developing and maintaining a Tribal Health Scholars alumni network
• Connect scholars with NNACoE’s health pathway coach(es) for continued mentorship after completing their participation in THS; continue to connect with and engage alumni as opportunities arise.

Program Evaluation Support

• Administer evaluation instruments for Tribal Health Scholars in partnership with evaluation team; work closely with NNACoE leadership and evaluation team on evaluation strategy and execution; ensure successful IRB compliance, data collection, data management, and analysis for THS.
• Assist in tracking THS alumni to understand how THS has impacted them longitudinally.
• Present at national meetings; contribute to poster and presentation development; incorporate research findings and obtain relevant permissions prior to use.
• Assist Outreach & Recruitment team with outreach, recruitment, and dissemination efforts for THS; evaluate successful efforts and identify areas of improvement.
• Contribute to manuscripts and support manuscript submission.
• Contribute to grant proposal documents; draft sections of grant(s) under the direction of NNACoE and THS leadership.

 Logistics Support

• Plan and execute workshops and events as needed across the NNACoE portfolio.
• Arrange travel, make purchases, and complete reconciliation reports and reimbursements for the team
• Participate in grant reporting efforts with NNACoE leadership
• Create agendas, prepare meeting materials, reserve rooms/venues, provide - A/V and remote connection support, and take meeting minutes.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Bachelor's degree with 3 year relevant experience or equivalent education and experience.
• This team member must have knowledge and at least 6 months of experience working with American Indian/Alaska Native organizations and communities.
• Proven ability to manage time effectively, especially with competing priorities
• Experience interacting with diverse stakeholders and in a variety of settings.
• Must demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills while interacting with diverse stakeholders and in a variety of settings (University faculty, tribes and tribal organizations, youth, volunteers).
• Ability to take initiative and work independently as well as in a team environment
• Intermediate computer knowledge and skills using MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook).
• Must have strong organizational skills and be very detail oriented. Must be able to respond quickly to time sensitive tasks.

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field with 1.5 years relevant experience.
• Experience mentoring AIAN or other under-represented students
• 1+ years of experience with AI/AN populations or tribes.

 

• Standard M-F hours with some required evening and weekend events; Travel across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska is required, not to exceed 25%. This is a hybrid remote position with occasional in-office presence required (Robertson Life Sciences Building, South Waterfront campus). Candidates will need to reside within the service area of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska to be considered, with preference given to those who reside in eastern Washington or nearby Idaho.
• Ability to sit or stand at a computer for up to 4 continuous hours a day. Ability to attend meetings throughout the service area (OR, WA, ID, AK), and occasionally on campus and satellite campuses. 

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.