Part-Time Health Coach, School of Nursing - University of Pennsylvania

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Posted Job Title

Part-Time Health Coach, School of Nursing





Job Profile Title

Temporary Employee - Non-Exempt





Job Description Summary

Temporary Employee - Non-Exempt





Job Description


We are seeking part-time health coaches to participate in an innovative study, “Improving Self-Care of Caregivers of Hospitalized Older Adults” conducted at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH). The purpose of the study is to test a virtual health coaching intervention designed to support informal caregivers of older adults with multiple chronic conditions who have been hospitalized for common medical or surgical reasons and improve the caregiver’s self-care. Doing so is anticipated to help them maintain their health and reduce their risks of illness associated with the stress of being a caregiver.




The primary function of this position is to engage eligible caregivers to create and maintain a culture of health in their personal lives. The Health Coach will be responsible for developing a collaborative health coaching relationship with each assigned caregiver. The coaches will be accountable for conducting a 10-session virtual intervention designed to assist the caregiver in the process of actively working towards better health by providing support, encouragement, and coaching. The ideal candidate will be able to use motivational interviewing and a background in health coaching to engage and assist caregivers on their journey to better health.


Hire will be on a Penn Nursing grant through Apple One, the University of Pennsylvania’s temp service.




Duties and responsibilities:


Reporting to the Project Manager, the Health Coach (HC) is responsible for conducting virtual health coaching sessions with eligible caregivers recruited from University of Pennsylvania hospitals. The Health Coach will:



+ Complete all required project orientation and training to competently deliver the intervention and maintain intervention fidelity, including human subject CITI ethics training.


+ Participate in outreach to caregivers who are enrolled in the study to confirm their involvement and build rapport to begin project implementation.


+ Conduct a comprehensive assessment of the social context, impact of illness on caregiving, attitudes, beliefs, motivation, care transition knowledge, past experiences, and problem-solving skills to develop and implement a viable self-care plan.


+ Deliver a 10-session intervention applying motivational interviewing techniques to identify health, caregiving, and behavioral areas of concern.


+ Utilize evidence-based coaching skills to work with caregivers to set health-related goals and develop and implement effective strategies to reach those goals.


+ In addition to the delivery of the intervention, facilitate discussion with caregivers regarding identified website support resources to optimize health and well-being.


+ Manage time effectively to ensure that all caregiver sessions are completed on a timely basis and documented according to protocol.


+ Maintain ongoing communication as needed with the caregivers while addressing their concerns and goals to retain them in the study.


+ Implement established protocol systems to document caregiver needs and goals, self-reported data, behavioral outcomes, and administrative details of all assigned caregivers.


+ Relay any adverse caregiver issues/ concerns to the Project Manager and provide follow-up as required.


+ Organize, and comply with all activities and systems necessary to ensure the timely and accurate statistical reports needed to monitor the progress of the study.


+ Maintain time management and administrative documents to submit timely requests for project-related expenses.


+ Maintain technical skills through appropriate training, as needed.


+ Attend project team meetings and demonstrate a willingness to learn and refine interaction approaches.


+ Assist the Project Manager in responding to internal and external audits, and prepare reports, files, and documents, as required. Recommend changes to increase efficiency and productivity.


+ Perform all other related duties as assigned.





Skills and Qualifications:



+ Bachelor's degree in a health-related field (e.g., Wellness, Exercise Physiology, Public Health, Health Science, Nutrition, or Health Promotion) required. Master’s degree preferred.


+ A minimum of five years in clinical practice with some experience related to care transitions (e.g., hospital to home, skilled nursing facility to home, etc.).


+ Prior training in motivational interviewing is preferred.


+ Comfort with technology and willingness to enhance technical skills as needed through appropriate training, seminar, and conference attendance.


+ Human subject research CITI certification (can be acquired)


+ Experience in health coaching or related roles is strongly preferred.


+ Demonstrated ability to work with diverse populations and cultural backgrounds.


+ Excellent listening and interpersonal communication skills.


+ Willing to accept flexibility in weekday working hours; intervention sessions are based on the caregiver’s availability.


+ Willing to commit to staying with the project for an extended period to assure consistency in coaching individual caregivers.







Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania





Department / School

School of Nursing





Pay Range

$7.25 - $50.00 Hourly Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.








Affirmative Action Statement Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.




Special Requirements Background check may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.



The University of Pennsylvania's special character is reflected in the diversity of the Penn community. We seek talented faculty and staff who will constitute a vibrant community that draws on the strength that comes with a substantive institutional commitment to diversity along dimensions of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, veteran status, interests, perspectives, and socioeconomic status. Grounded in equal opportunity, nondiscrimination, and affirmative action, Penn's robust commitment to diversity is fundamental to the University's mission of advancing knowledge, educating leaders for all sectors of society, and public service. The University of Pennsylvania prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.