(Hybrid) Temporary Program Assistant - Department of Surgery

The Department of Surgery at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Temporary Program Assistant.

About the Opportunity

The Department of Surgery at West Virginia University is seeking a part-time temporary Program Assistant to support the Train-the-Trainer (TTT) program for the national Fundamentals of Communication in Surgery (FCS) curriculum (TTT for FCS). The FCS curriculum is skills-based and grounded in adult education principles, designed to teach surgical residents advanced communication techniques to more effectively care for surgical patients.

Dr. Katherine Hill (Assistant Professor of Surgery and Medicine), a general surgeon and palliative care physician, serves as the principal investigator for the TTT for FCS program. The Train-the-Trainer program consists of a series of Zoom-based teaching sessions for faculty surgeons at FCS study sites across the country. These sessions demonstrate the FCS content and prepare the faculty surgeons to teach the curriculum to their surgical residents in the upcoming academic year.

The Program Assistant will play a key role in supporting these virtual training sessions, refining FCS content and materials, coordinating logistics, and assisting with data collection and analysis.

What You'll Do

• TTT Session Support
  
  
  
  • Attend monthly TTT research meetings and TTT training sessions via Zoo
  • Manage session logistics including attendance, timekeeping, screen-sharing, displaying didactic content and videos, and providing technical support
  
  
  
  
• Logistics & Coordination
  
  
  
  • Refine TTT for FCS content materials based on iterative review and feedback
  • Attend selected monthly FCS Development Team meetings via Zoom
  • Organize and disseminate session outlines to instructors
  • Track instructor assignments and participant certification status
  • Create and manage Zoom meetings and calendar invites
  • Coordinate meetings for the TTT development team
  • Collaborate with the primary FCS research team of surgeons, residents, and research coordinators (primarily based at the University of Wisconsin; FCS PI: Dr. M. Gretchen Schwarze)
  
  
  
  
• Research & Data Collection
  
  
  
  • Assist with scheduling and conducting semi-structured interviews with TTT participant
  • Transcribe Zoom interviews and compile survey and interview dat
  • Support data analysis using qualitative methods (e.g., Radar technique, inductive thematic analysis
  • Assist with survey setup in REDCap or Qualtrics
  
  
  
  

Pay Grade: 15

Length of Assignment: Approximately 8.5 months

Work Hours: 8-10 Hours per week

• Associate's degree in a relevant field.
• A minimum of one (1) year of experience in the following:
  
  
  
  • Experience managing multiple tasks independently
  • Experience using Zoom or similar virtual meeting platforms
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office
  
  
  
  
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Attention to detail and ability to manage complex data
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a remote environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Current enrollment in, or completion of, a graduate degree program, in a relevant field (e.g., public health, medicine, communication, education, or related disciplines).
• Familiarity with qualitative research methods and analysis
• Experience with data entry or survey tools (e.g., REDCap, Qualtrics)
• Experience conducting or transcribing semi-structured interviews
• Interest in medical education or communication skills research
• Familiarity with medical and surgical concepts
• Experience with academic medical writing, including manuscript drafting and submission
• Experience with project coordination or supporting educational initiatives

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.