POSITION OVERVIEW
As a Peer Support Specialist for the Support for Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals Seeking Vaginoplasty (STRIVE) Study, a collaboration between Trans Lifeline and Oregon Health & Science University, you will play a pivotal role in developing and delivering virtual peer support interventions to individuals seeking vaginoplasty.
The STRIVE intervention aims to enhance patients’ ability to cope with challenges in the surgery process and overall well-being among participants undergoing gender-affirming surgery.
This position offers a unique opportunity to provide direct support to trans and nonbinary individuals navigating the vaginoplasty preparation process.
The Peer Supporter will participate in initial training, follow-up training, and ongoing quality assurance monitoring and supervision with Trans Lifeline and OHSU Transgender Health Program staff.
Please Note:
This is a part time contracted position with Oregon Health & Science University in collaboration with Trans Lifeline and has a limited duration. There are no benefits provided with this position. The position is fully remote and will be compensated $75/hour.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Facilitate and document a 6-session, virtual, group-based peer support intervention for trans individuals seeking vaginoplasty, utilizing a structured curriculum developed in collaboration with the research team. These sessions will cover coping skills, stress management, surgery planning, patient advocacy, utilizing social support systems, and post-surgery life.
- Provide empathetic and affirming peer support to participants, fostering a safe and inclusive space for sharing experiences and addressing challenges related to gender-affirming surgery.
- Adhere to study protocols and maintain confidentiality while documenting participant interactions and feedback to inform program evaluation and improvement.
- Participate in ongoing training and professional development opportunities to enhance skills in peer support, trauma-informed care, and cultural humility.
- Serve as a liaison between participants and the research team, conveying participant insights and needs to inform program adaptations and enhancements.
- Implement recommendations for enhancements on participant coordination, protocol adherence and study collaboration.
- Participate in interviews before, during, and after the intervention about your experience of the intervention to inform program adaptations and enhancements.
- Engage in collaborative discussions with community partners and stakeholders to ensure the relevance and effectiveness of the peer support intervention within diverse transgender and nonbinary communities.
- Uphold Trans Lifeline’s values of peer support, harm reduction, informed consent, and ending white supremacy in all aspects of peer support service delivery.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Lived experience as a transgender or nonbinary individual, preferably with personal experience in vaginoplasty preparation and recovery.
- Demonstrated commitment to supporting the well-being and empowerment of transgender and nonbinary communities, with a deep understanding of the challenges and barriers faced by individuals seeking gender-affirming surgery.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to foster trusting relationships in virtual group settings.
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the capacity to facilitate group discussions and provide emotional support.
- Familiarity with trauma-informed care principles and a commitment to promoting cultural humility and diversity within peer support practices.
- Comfort with technology and virtual platforms for conducting group sessions and maintaining participant engagement.
- Ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams and adapt to evolving program needs and priorities.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Prior experience in peer support facilitation, counseling, advocacy, or community organizing within LGBTQ+ healthcare settings.
- Familiarity with transgender health research and an interest in contributing to evidence-based interventions aimed at improving health outcomes and access to care.
- Proficiency in multiple languages, particularly those commonly spoken within transgender and nonbinary communities, is a plus.
TO APPLY
To apply for the Trans Lifeline Peer Supporter position with the STRIVE Study, please:
• submit a resume with your application
• submit a cover letter highlighting your relevant experience and commitment to advancing transgender and nonbinary health equity.
• answer, at minimum, the required application questions, and at your preference, the optional application questions.
