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Summary

Virginia Commonwealth University is the premier urban public research university in Virginia. VCU’s mission is to advance knowledge and student success through its commitments to an engaging learning environment, research that expands the boundaries of new knowledge, interdisciplinary collaborations that bring new perspectives to complex problems, health care that strives to preserve and restore health for all people, diversity that promotes a climate of inclusion, and sustainable university partnerships. Located in downtown Richmond, VCU enrolls over 31,000 students in over 220 degree and certificate programs in the arts, sciences, and humanities. Sixty-eight of the programs are unique in Virginia, many crossing the disciplines of VCU’s 13 schools and one college.

The Virginia Center on Aging advances health, well-being and equity for the elders of today and tomorrow. Our innovative research, critical education and impactful service strive to make Virginia a place where its people can thrive at every age.

Typical Duties

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and the Virginia Center on Aging seek applicants for a full-time Dementia Education Specialist position. This position will coordinate the Virginia Memory Project (VMP) and the Alter Program, and both lead and assist with dementia education programs supported by the Virginia Geriatric Education Center.

• Provide interested VMP enrollees with a memory screening, provide resources to refer to a Qualified Health Care Professional, and provide resources to refer for formal services provided by the Richmond Brain Health Initiative
• Incorporate “Brain Health and the Virginia Memory Project” into the quarterly Age in Action Newsletter” to provide an update on modifiable risk factors and the VMP
• Lead the implementation of an inclusive and equitable wellness promotion program to enhance overall well-being for older adults
• Continue presence on No Wrong Door/Direct Connect so Virginians can self-enroll and get connected to services
• Monitor NWD for service requests and needs for dementia/brain health services, and send requests to Richmond Brain Health Initiative
• Offer all No Wrong Door referrals a MoCa screening, information, and referral to a qualified healthcare provider as well as caregiving resources, or other social and medical supports
• Assist with the development and implementation of Alter Program, a dementia education initiative targeted for the lay African American community
• Assist with the development and implementation of the ECHO Dementia Caregiver initiative, a telehealth program targeted for caregivers of older adults on the dementia spectrum
• Maintain and complete a plan of work, program outcomes, impact statements and achievements, and other documentation needed to assess different dementia education programs effectiveness
• The position will use evidence-informed strategies to promote wellness for people living with dementia through collaborations, programs/events, educational campaigns, and initiatives aligned with the department and the university’s mission as outlined in Quest 2028.
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Passion for serving people and for the mission of the department
• Demonstrated experience or high potential for fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU
• Experience in program planning, development, and evaluation
• Experience conducting needs assessments
• Experience building relationships and partnerships with stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to assist with virtual events
• Bachelor’s degree or Certificate in a Gerontology or Aging related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree, preferably in Social Work, Gerontology, or any Health Related field

This position is a restricted position. Continuation of this position is contingent upon continuation of the associated grant.

For inquiries, please contact Leland “Bert” Waters at lhwaters@vcu.edu. To learn more about VCOA, visit: https://vcoa.chp.vcu.edu/