What are the responsibilities and job description for the Participatory Action Research Assistant in Nursing position at Dominican University?
TITLE: Participatory Action Research Assistant in Nursing (2 positions)
DEPARTMENT: Willenborg Civic Learning Academy
REPORTS TO: Elizabeth T. McNeil School of Nursing Faculty
OPEN TO: Dominican University Students
AVAILABLE: April 2025
AVAILABLE: April 2025
COMPENSATION: $15.00 - $16.00/hour
Objective: The Research Assistant in Nursing is an appointment under the Office for Civic Learning and in conjunction with the Willenborg Civic Learning Academy, the Elizabeth T. MacNeil School of Nursing, and the Student Success and Engagement Division. The overall purpose of this position is to assist faculty in a variety of tasks related to transcultural nursing and community culture and policy that impacts the health and well-being of community members. The community based learning experiences and participatory research project(s) are intended to provide undergraduate students the opportunity to learn about community advocacy and not-for-profit resources in the communities throughout the greater Chicagoland area.
Scope of Project: The nursing program prepares students to become global citizens and providers of population health care, impacting the health of communities through advocacy and policy. Transcultural and multicultural concepts are threaded throughout the nursing program coursework. This design assists nursing students to learn about belief systems, values, and practices that are specific to identified cultures in order to better understand and provide specific, competent, and congruent nursing interventions to care for people and communities of diverse cultures.
The diverse communities in our area have unique characteristics such as language barriers, lack of health insurance, lack of transportation, barriers of poverty, or limitations of health choices because of cultural or religious beliefs. Through experiential learning, students will engage in participatory action research (PAR) to work with community agencies in specific communities to address health problems and health disparities. The research assistant in nursing will collaborate with faculty and staff at Dominican University, community partners, and serve as a teaching assistant for the course. The research assistant will learn the basic elements of community advocacy, and will act as a liaison between students and community partners.
Typical Duties:
The Research Assistant in Nursing will work closely with faculty to complete 10 hrs. per week of designated tasks to assist in the preparation for and achievement of the research goals which may include the following and/or other duties:
- Learn the basics of community-based organizing, advocacy, and participatory action research conducted within the transcultural nursing framework and the Dominican University mission;
- Serve as an undergraduate or graduate teaching assistant in Transcultural Nursing (NURS 4315) and/or Multicultural Global Perspectives in Health Care (NURS 462) as a liaison with community partners, identification of development of new community partnerships, and facilitation of participation action research projects for undergraduate students;
- Develop list and contact community partners for project assistance;
- Meets with faculty supervisor(s) weekly to maintain ongoing communication regarding the quality of the assistant’s performance (maximum of one hour – can be virtually if needed);
- Provides audiovisual technology and presentation skills to assist with technical training aspects;
- Meets with faculty supervisor(s) weekly to maintain ongoing communication regarding the quality of the assistant’s performance (maximum of one hour – can be virtually if needed);
- Create and manage sign-up document for students to select CBL sites
- Create/manage end-of-course evaluation forms for both students to evaluate agencies and agencies to evaluate students.
- Generate summative reports from the end-of-course evaluations
- Coordinates with community partners and students to ensure student placement and onboarding
- Train students how to complete DU Impact Reports
- Oversee issues with entering DU Impact hours
- Develop partnerships with new community agencies
- Meet with community partners as needed to maintain active partnership (some local travel may be required)
- Provide training for new hires in this role
- Performs other related duties as required.
Qualifications for Position:
- Junior or senior standing with a desire/interest in pursuing social justice as an important component of one’s career or vocation;
- Ability to commit to up to 10 hours per week.
Preferred skill sets:
- The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in social justice, civic learning, and community advocacy.
- Strong relational skills and ability to connect, engage, and inspire community members across multiple cultures and demographics including but not limited to race, gender, age, language, economic status and sexual orientation;
- Capacity to think strategically and analytically about social, economic, cultural, political, spiritual and health issues affecting a community;
- Excellent communication skills and confidence in oral presentation will be a major asset in this position;
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Canvas, audiovisual technology and presentation skills to assist with research initiatives and research activity reports;
- Familiarity with graphic design software, and basic graphic design skills are a plus.
Salary : $15 - $16
