Information

Help us spread the word . . . not the risk. Educate your peers on health topics affecting college students:

Safer Sex
Nutrition
Healthy Eating
Illicit Drugs
Alcohol
Massage
Stress Management
Women's Health

The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, February 29th 2008 at 3 p.m. in the Office of Health Promotion at Student Health. No late applications will be accepted!

Brief Description of PHE Position
Expected Commitment
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
Benefits
Requirements for Application and Acceptance
How to Become a Peer Health Educator (includes PHE Application)
For More Information

Brief Description of PHE Position
The Peer Health Educators (PHEs) are a diverse group of U.Va. students trained to educate their classmates about college lifestyle and wellness issues in a positive, interactive, fun, and nonjudgmental manner.

Comprehensive training prepares the PHEs to provide confidential patient education sessions; facilitate dynamic outreach programs; encourage physical, mental, and spiritual health; create informative awareness events; and promote community support to create a healthy campus culture. The Peer Health Educators are dedicated to providing education and community support with sensitivity to race, gender, sexual orientation, culture, religion, and individual capabilities.

Expected Commitment
Being a PHE will require a substantial commitment of time and energy (an average of 3 hours per week. Minimum commitment of three semesters is required; four semesters is preferred.

First Semester: In-training Peer Health Educators will receive approximately 30 hours of training (EDHS 324: Concepts of Peer Health Education) and will provide a total of 15-20 hours of volunteer service through observing/assisting trained Peer Health Educators with Outreach, Patient Education, Special Wellness Events, and attending one-hour weekly planning/training meetings.

Subsequent Semesters: Trained Peer Health Educators will provide a total of 30-40 hours of volunteer service (per semester) through attending one-hour weekly planning/training meetings and conducting Outreach programs, Patient Education sessions, Special Wellness Events, Marketing, and Recruitment and/or additional improvement projects.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities
- Attending one-hour weekly planning/training meetings (Tuesdays 5:10-6:10 PM)
- Designing, organizing, and participating in campus-wide awareness activities
- Designing and presenting Outreach programs
- Staffing information tables (i.e., National Depression Screening Day)
- Designing and distributing flyers, brochures, and other promotional materials
- Updating the PHE webpage, brochure, and scrapbook
- Assisting with the planning and implementation of the Wellness Fair and 4th Year 5K
- Attending the EDHS 324 Concepts of Peer Health Education training class during first fall semester (T/R 2-3:15 PM)

Benefits
- Gain extensive knowledge about contraception, sexually transmitted infections, body image, alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs, eating disorders, nutrition, health promotion theory and practice, men's and women's health, depression, healthy relationships, and stress management.
- Become part of a highly skilled, diverse team of students committed to providing accurate, nonjudgmental college-health information to the University of Virginia community.
- Obtain three credits through the Curry School of Education for the fall training semester.
- Develop teaching, communication, presentation, and group facilitation skills.
- Become a recognized member of the Student Health Center volunteer staff.
- Have an opportunity to contribute significantly to the growth of the Peer Health Education program.

Requirements for Application and Acceptance
You must be either a first or second year to apply for the position, and be able to take the 3-credit training course in the fall of 2008 (EDHS 324: Concepts of Peer Health Education), offered T/R 2-3:15 through the Curry School.

A strong PHE applicant should possess the following qualities:
Personal skills
- Strong interest and enthusiasm in promoting healthy behaviors among your fellow students
- Open mind to cultures, practices, and sexual orientations different from your own
- Sensitivity to controversial and personal topics that are sometimes embarrassing, and have a willingness to talk candidly about them
- Ability to articulate the facts about health-enhancing behaviors and dispel myths and misperceptions
- Dedication to health education, health promotion, and the PHE program
- Demonstrate a sincere concern for others, their well-being and quality of life

Operational skills
- Ability to speak publicly in a positive, engaging, interactive, and nonjudgmental manner
- Ability to facilitate group discussions and include all members of the audience
- Ability to show concern and empathy in a one-on-one information-sharing format
- Ability to function in a group, both as a leader and as a supportive team member

Other requirements
- Must be a first- or second-year U.Va. student to apply
- Must be present during the fall semester of training session (may not go abroad during this time)
- Although we encourage involvement in many other activities at the University and community, applicant must be able to balance other activities with the PHE commitment of 30 hours/semester (approximately 3 hours/week).

How to Become a U.Va. Peer Health Educator
Applications for the PHE program are welcome at any time. Applications can be obtained in the lobby of the Office of Health Promotion, located downstairs in the Elson Student Health Center. Download a printable version of the PHE Application (opens PDF file).

For More Information
For questions and additional information, please contact PHE Recruitment Intern Jordan Glist, or call the PHE faculty coordinator, Tara Schuster at 924-1534.

Thank you for your interest!
We look forward to receiving your application or inquiry. If you would like to learn more about stress, sexuality, alcohol, and other college-health issues, would like to be part of an effort to raise awareness of these issues on campus, and have the interest and the time to devote to being a PHE, we welcome your contribution to the program and encourage you to apply.

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Maintained by: studenthealth@virginia.edu Last Modified: Sunday, 09-Mar-2008 11:06:00 EDT © 2002 by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia