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[Kelly Allen-Pitchko]

Below are the details for an opportunity to work as an immunization counsellor, for a MIICOVAC Pilot Project. Please read through the full job description. If you would like to apply, please send your resume to Deidre Lake (deidre@aimga.ca) by end of day on Monday Feb 14th

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Pilot Project Description

Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, we are proposing an educational intervention using the
motivational interviewing approach to increase vaccine acceptance across Canada and to
address the concerns of individuals who are not adequately vaccinated and hesitant to receive
the COVID-19 vaccine. Motivational interviewing makes it possible to address people’s
hesitations with compassion and empathy while helping them move towards an openness to
vaccination. This pilot project is called MIICOVAC, which stands for Motivational Interviewing
Increasing COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance. In this pilot project, we will train immunization
counsellors in motivational interviewing and COVID-19 immunization to conduct motivational
interviewing-based counselling interventions with vaccine hesitant individuals.

Summary of Responsibilities

Under the responsibility of … (to be specified by the institution), the incumbent will promote
COVID-19 vaccination to hesitant individuals who are not adequately vaccinated against COVID19 in Canada. The incumbent will provide online vaccine counselling interventions (via the Zoom
platform) through applying the motivational interviewing approach to hesitant individuals
enrolled in the MIICOVAC project. They will also participate in data collection for the evaluation of the MIICOVAC pilot project.

General Objectives of the Position

 Perform an immunization counselling role adapted to the conditions of the individuals
who are hesitant to be vaccinated against COVID-19, or of the individuals who are
hesitant to have their children vaccinated against COVID-19 by using motivational
interviewing.
 Promote COVID-19 vaccination to hesitant individuals who are not adequately
vaccinated according to their specific provincial/territorial recommended vaccination
schedule.
 Participate in an immunization counsellor community of practice in the promotion of
COVID-19 vaccination.
 Increase the quality of care and services related to COVID-19 vaccination.
Requirements
 Provides support as required and in a respectful manner to the person requesting the
services of the MIICOVAC project.
 Possesses interpersonal and empathy skills.
Minimum Academic Background
 Bachelor’s degree in either health or social sciences.
 Master’s and doctoral students in the health or social sciences are welcomed to apply.
Experience
 Clinical experience interacting with clients in a healthcare setting is an asset.
 Experience as a counsellor or in motivational interviewing is an asset.
 Basic knowledge of immunology in relation to vaccination is an asset.
 Operational knowledge of computer tools (Zoom, Microsoft Office).

Skills and Abilities Required
 Human relations and helping skills.
 Supportive attitude towards immunization.
 Empathy, compassion and non-judgmental attitude.
 Ability to work remotely and independently.
 Leadership skills.
 Excellent verbal and written communication skills in French and/or English.

Hiring/Training
 Learn and master the techniques of motivational interviewing applied to immunization
through in-depth training delivered by designated trainers (3 days in virtual modalities,
followed by a one-day coaching and feedback training).
 Learn and master the theoretical content on COVID-19 disease, COVID-19 vaccines,
prioritization of doses at recommended ages according to each province/territory,
hesitation and concerns about COVID-19 vaccination, and the organization of COVID-19
vaccination services in Canada.

Status
 Full time or part time
 Service coverage: 6 days / week (Monday to Saturday, which includes the possibility of
working 1 Saturday in a month)
 Possibility of flexible day and evening hours (the MIICOVAC pilot project will offer
appointment scheduling between 8am and 8pm on weekdays and between 10am and
4pm on Saturdays).

Salary (including employee benefits)
 Hourly rate for organization: to be specified by the institution (current hourly rate
offered by the institution)
 Hourly rate for Individuals: Up to $50/hr (depending on experience) plus 10% in lieu of
benefits.

Additional information for the employer
Training for MIICOVAC immunization counsellors will be offered free of charge to employees of
your facility who are designated for this role. Once trained, immunization counsellors will be
required to be released on a full-time or part-time basis for six months to perform their
immunization counsellor function for the MIICOVAC project. The Canadian Public Health
Association will cover the salary of the immunization counsellor. At the end of their term, your
employees will be able to return to their original duties and bring their knowledge and expertisein motivational interviewing to your facility for the promotion of COVID-19 vaccination.MIICOVAC project is working with the Canadian Public Health Association and its project CANVax.ca to increase COVID-19 vaccine acceptance across Canada.

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