UC San Diego Looking for Tobacco Cessation Coach – Bilingual – 125932 at Oakland, CA  Full Time

For the safety and well-being of the entire university community, the University of California requires, with few exceptions, that all students, faculty and staff be vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus and influenza before they will be allowed on campus or in a facility or office. For more information visit: /

DESCRIPTION

Kick It California (KIC) provides free services to help people quit using tobacco and nicotine. Established in 1992 as the California Smokers’ Helpline, KIC was the first statewide, evidence-based, telephone-counseling service for smoking cessation in the U.S. KIC provides quit coaching over the phone in six languages – English, Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, and Vietnamese — and quit help through web, chat, text, and mobile apps. KIC also conducts research related to tobacco and nicotine cessation. KIC is part of UC San Diego’s Moores Cancer Center and is funded by grants from the California Department of Public Health, Centers for Disease Control, and First 5 California.

The primary responsibilities of the Tobacco Cessation Coach include: answering incoming calls and chats to KIC; placing outgoing calls to people referred to KIC from healthcare providers and other organizations; enrolling people into KIC services or applicable research studies, and transitioning into coaching, using a standardized intake questionnaire; assisting clients in developing and implementing evidence-based strategies to quit smoking, vaping, and using smokeless tobacco/nicotine products; providing evidence-based education on cannabis and health effects, as appropriate; gathering and recording detailed and accurate client information; maintaining thorough and confidential record of client interactions; participating in various research studies, applying protocols and procedures appropriate to the subject populations; and assisting with training of new quit coaches.

To conduct this work, coaches are trained on established procedures, protocols, and the utilization of phone and chat interfaces and client management system. The Tobacco Cessation Coach: acquires a thorough grasp of all aspects of smoking cessation, including the psychology of addictive behavior, physiological aspects of withdrawal, and behavior modification techniques that facilitate the quitting process; creates and sustains a supportive, client-focused environment for the change of addictive behavior; continually develops knowledge and skills through training, education, and feedback from supervisor and other coaches; demonstrates a commitment to continuous cultural competence; and respects the dignity, perspectives, and cultures of all individuals to ensure fair and equitable services for all clients.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Coursework or work experience in related area. Continuing education in related field.

• Fluency in English and at least one of the following languages: Korean, Vietnamese, Mandarin or Cantonese.

• Knowledge or experience in customer service or providing direct support to clients.

• Knowledge or experience in program content and objectives. Knowledge of how to deliver educational programs in a variety of settings.

• Knowledge of how to deliver educational programs in a variety of settings. Demonstrated skill in communicating in a helpful, informative, and supportive manner on the phone, and in providing appropriate interventions based on accurate assessment to a diverse group of study participants.

• Organizational skills to develop a project plan, monitor plans against established deadlines, and review and analyze results.

• Basic effective reading, verbal, written communications and presentation skills to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

• Ability to maintain positive interactions with others and work cooperatively.

• Experience using business software systems in the completion of work assignments; i.e., Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint.

• Demonstrated skill in conducting detailed telephone interviews, and ability to simultaneously use online databases.

• Ability to understand and follow research protocols, including determining subjects’ eligibility to participate in studies, randomization procedures, and coding of data.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Background in counseling, psychology, or health-related field.

• Experience working with individuals with cannabis-use disorder.

• Experience working with youth and teens.

• Thorough grasp of all aspects of smoking cessation, including the psychology of addictive behavior, physiological aspects of withdrawal, and behavior modification techniques that facilitate the quitting process. Basic knowledge of cannabis use patterns and health effects.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Employment is subject to a criminal background check.

• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.

• Some holidays and weekends may be required.

Job offer is contingent on successful engagement in the UC COVID-19 Vaccination program (fully vaccinated with documented proof or approved exception/deferral).

If applicable, life-support certifications (BLS, NRP, ACLS, etc.) must include hands-on practice and in-person skills assessment; online-only certification is not acceptable.

UC San Diego Health Sciences is comprised of our School of Medicine, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, The Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, and our Student Health and Well-Being Department. We have long been at the forefront of translational – or “bench-to-bedside” – research, transforming patient care through discovery and innovation leading to new drugs and technologies. Translational research is carried out every day in the hundreds of clinical trials of promising new therapies offered through UC San Diego Health, and in the drive of our researchers and clinician-scientists who are committed to having a significant impact on patient care. We invite you to join our team!

Applications/Resumes are accepted for current job openings only. For full consideration on any job, applications must be received prior to the initial closing date. If a job has an extended deadline, applications/resumes will be considered during the extension period; however, a job may be filled before the extended date is reached.

To foster the best possible working and learning environment, UC San Diego strives to cultivate a rich and diverse environment, inclusive and supportive of all students, faculty, staff and visitors. For more information, please visit .

UC San Diego Health is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see:

UC San Diego is a smoke and tobacco free environment. Please visit for more information.

UC San Diego Health maintains a marijuana and drug free environment. Employees may be subject to drug screening.