Counselor Overview
As a Med-Start Counselor, you will have the unique opportunity of mentoring high school students who strive to be in your shoes one day. The students you will interact with come from diverse backgrounds and are passionate about pursuing a career in healthcare. As a counselor, it will be your job to inspire these students to achieve their goals. Other duties include monitoring the progress of assigned students with their course assignments and research projects, supervising program activities, and assisting with guest speakers, travel arrangements, orientation, opening ceremony, academic conference and closing ceremonies.
This is a perfect opportunity for you to get an inside view of our college and culture!
The University of Arizona Health Sciences - Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion is seeking highly motivated and responsible individuals to serve as in-residence counselors OR interns for the Med-Start Health Careers Program.
ABOUT the Med-Start Health Careers Program
Med-Start is an intensive SIX-week academic summer program held in Tucson for JUNIOR high school students who are interested in careers in the health professions. The purpose of the program is to help students prepare for college life and orient students toward career opportunities and educational pathways in the health professions. Med-Start counselors are central to the operation of the program. Counselors supervise students, plan and implement numerous program activities, and serve as role models for these future college students. Med-Start participants come from all over the state and are, for the most part, 16-17 years old. At the time of the program, they will be entering their senior year of high school. Med-Start encourages students who are of underrepresented and/or diverse backgrounds, live in rural areas, and/or are economically disadvantaged to apply. Thus, Med-Starters are a diverse group of students who share common interests and curiosity about health professions and the college experience.
Application Information
JOB TITLES: Full-time Counselors for the Med-Start Health Careers Program (positions are subject to a background check, fingerprint investigation, and motor vehicle check).
DEPARTMENT: University of Arizona Health Sciences - Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
DESCRIPTION: Primarily responsible for a group of approximately 44 high school students. Counselors also work as part of a team of 6-8 counselors aiding in the operation of the entire program.
DATE OF EMPLOYMENT: May 24- July 14, 2024 (Counselor - Full Time and part time positions are available)
EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL DUTIES:
- Tutor/Monitor academic progress of assigned students (students take college-level courses during UA summer session)
- Mentor students to promote success in university life and within the health sciences
- Supervise field trips and other program activities
- Supervise residence hall activities
- Assist in scheduling guest speakers, presentations, etc.
- Assist in program-related office tasks in the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (including Costco runs)
BENEFITS OF BEING A COUNSELOR
- Live in one of the UA Residence Hall with PAID room and board provided during 7 weeks of your employment.
- Obtain invaluable skill-building, leadership, training and enrichment opportunities.
- It will allow you to learn and develop skills that will enhance your job marketability.
- The benefits go far beyond a paycheck. Building trust and positive lifetime relationships with the students.
- As a counselor you will learn how to encourage students to challenge themselves and how to put the students needs before you.
- Gain knowledge of all Arizona Universities and health professions along with the students.
- Become a mentor and leader.
- Being a counselor will provide you a meaningful experience and accelerate you towards your career.
- Letters of recommendations from department.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must be a continuing student at UofA
- Available to live in residence hall during the entire summer program
- Able to relate to students from diverse backgrounds
- Current driver’s license and a good driving record (must have 3+ years of driving experience)
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Students in health-related concentrations
- Students with previous R.A. or summer counselor experience, or past Med-Start participants
- CPR and/or First Aid Certified
- UA-HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) Driver Certification
TRAINING: Counselors will be required to attend training sessions prior to the Med-Start Health Careers Program. Training sessions will be scheduled one week prior to the start of the summer program. In addition, required to the attend the debriefing meeting post Med-Start.
SHIFT: Shifts vary. Monday – Sunday
COUNSELOR RATE OF PAY: $15 (minumum wage) per/hr + room & board
Ready to work hard, make a difference, build your resume, get paid, and have the best summer of your life?
Apply to work for Med-Start - You won’t regret it!
SUMMER INTERNSHIPS: PLEASE CONTACT Program Manager, Alma Aguirre via email aaguirr1@arizona.edu for further information
APPLICATION INFORMATION:
The 2024 Summer Med-Start Counselor application will be due on Sunday, March 3, 2024, by midnight.
Please email aaguirr1@arizona.edu to request an application.
The application will require 2 references, 1 recommendation letter, your Fingerprint Clearance Card, your resume, and a video.
References
We will be contacting your references via email. We encourage you to select individuals who can speak highly of you and your character (i.e. Internship supervisor, volunteer coordinator etc.). We will not accept family members as references.
2 Recommendation Letters
We will be contacting the individual you selected to write the recommendation letter via email (aaguirr1@arizona.edu). It is your responsibility to make sure they complete their recommendation. Once they complete their recommendation, you will receive an email stating that your application is complete.
Fingerprint Clearance Card (FCC)
On the application you will be asked to provide your fingerprint clearance card number. If you don’t have an FCC, to apply for a counselor position, you must initiate the process of obtaining one and provide proof. You will need your FCC prior to starting as a counselor.
CPR Certification
If you are certified, you will be asked to email a copy of your CPR certification. If you are certified, you will be asked to email a copy of your CPR certification. If you are not CPR certified, you will be completing CPR/FA certification during counselor training week
Video
You will be asked to create a 2 minute video answering the following prompts/questions
- Introduce yourself (Name, major, long term/short term goals etc.)
- Tell us something interesting about yourself
- Tell us about your experience in working with high school students
- Why do you want to be a part of Med-Start?
- Why should we select you?
- Video Tips/Suggestions:
- Don’t be afraid to get creative and show us your personality!
- Make sure you are in an area where we can hear you.
- This video is a way for us to get to know you. Don’t stress about getting the video perfect, we are only looking at getting to know your personality.
- We recommend you create a video and upload it to YouTube, then paste the link on the application.
Interview
If you are selected for an interview, we will be asking you to join us on campus to meet our team. This interview is a chance for us to get to know you and 1f you are fit for this position. The week of March 11th, a Med-Start staff member will be reaching out to you for your availability.
*Weekend hours and overnight hours may apply. As a counselor, you will be required to move into the dorms on Monday, May 27 th (Memorial Day), must reside at the dorms for the entire duration of Med-Start, attend the Student/Parent orientation on Sunday, June 4 th, must travel with the group, assist with the Academic Conference and Closing Ceremony on Saturday, July 13, 2024
DEADLINE: March 1, 2023
For more information regarding employment, please visit the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion or contact our office: Tucson: (520) 621-5531.
The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is an EEO/AA Employer.