Job Opportunity - Research Assistant, MindMapBC

Job Title: Research Assistant

Hours/week: 10-15 hours/week (flexible)

Contract Duration: 6 months

Pay: $21/hour

Anticipated start-date: August 16, 2021 (flexible) 

Application Deadline: August 6, 2021

Contact: Please send resume and cover letter to Sarah Watt, Research Coordinator, at sarah.watt@BCCDC.ca

Introduction

MindMapBC (https://www.mindmapbc.ca) is an online service finder which includes accessible and affirming mental health and substance use services and supports. All of the services listed on the site accept self-referrals, many are free or low-cost, and/or are affirming of 2S/LGBTQ+ (Two-Spirit, as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, Two-Spirit, and other gender- and sexually-diverse) people.

MindMapBC is motivated by research showing high rates of mental health concerns among people accessing sexual health services. We heard from both community members and health care providers that it can be difficult to find mental health services. In addition to barriers that are commonly experienced by people of all sexual orientations and gender identities (e.g., cost, accessible location, embarrassment/shame), 2S/LGBTQ+ people may face particular barriers finding mental health services that are affirming of their sexual orientations or gender identities. The site is intended to help users locate mental health supports that are accessible and affirming.

Services included on MindMapBC meet one or more of the following criteria:

1. Low cost (i.e., free or sliding scale)

2. Self-referral (i.e., does not require a referral from another healthcare provider)

3. Explicit focus on providing affirming care for people who are Two-Spirit, trans, or LGBQ

While most of the services currently listed on the site are located within the Lower Mainland of BC, we are working to increase the number of services listed and the geographic representation.

MindMapBC is a project created by Simon Fraser University’s REAFFIRM Collaborative, The Roundtable, The Health Initiative for Men, and the Community-Based Research Centre.

Purpose and Responsibilities

The Research Assistant will work with the Advisory Group and research team to increase the number of services listed on MindMapBC in regions throughout the province.

Responsibilities may include:

-          Work with MindMapBC Advisory Group to define and execute strategy for expanding MindMapBC;

-          Research mental health services in regions across the province to identify services for addition to the MindMapBC database;

-          Contact and maintain communication with existing and new services for addition to MindMapBC database;

-          Facilitate service screening to ensure that service providers meet criteria for inclusion in the database;

-          Enter new services into MindMapBC database.

Requirements and Qualifications:

-          Strong written and verbal communication skills;

-          Ability to communicate effectively with diverse range of stakeholders;

-          Organized and detail-oriented, with ability to work independently;

-          Lived, volunteer, and/or work experience working with 2S/LGBTQ+ communities.

We believe that research is strengthened by the equitable inclusion of voices from populations that have historically been silenced or absent in health research. We value the perspectives of, and strongly encourage applications from, Indigenous and Two-Spirit people, Black and other People of Colour, queer people, trans- people, and people with disabilities.