Guidelines: This assignment requires you to post an original thought and respond to one of your classmates thoughts. In total, you will need to make two posts. Your original thought must be at least two paragraphs in length with five sentences in each paragraph (should include a FULL citation (not just a web link – see info on “sources” below). Your response post must be at least one paragraph in length with five sentences (does not need a citation). While the original post should include a citation, please remember that this is not a formal academic paper and your postings should retain a “discussion” flavor.

Topic: The setting is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in rural, western Kansas. There are approximately 30 people on staff. Two of these staff are physicians, about 20 are nurses who work rotating shifts, and the remaining eight hold various administrative positions. The FQHC provides mainly primary care services although they do have an x-ray machine so can handle uncomplicated sprains, bone breaks, etc. The FQHC serves a diverse population but includes mostly farmers and their extended families, Native Americans, and migrant workers. The FQHC has decided to hire a community outreach worker that will work in the community to inform and connect people with available services. They have hired you as a consultant to help them with the hiring process. They tell you that the community outreach worker must have a college degree and familiarity with the health care industry. They must be friendly and approachable, and able to build trust with people in the community. They prefer someone who has experience working with Native American and/or migrant farm workers but it is not essential. They also prefer someone who is bilingual.

Key tasks will be: 1) traveling throughout the county to the various farms and reservations to inform people about the FQHC services; 2) determine what kind of services people might need and help them schedule appointments; and 3) distribute preventive health information particularly on diabetes and heart disease which are major issues in the community.

Original Post They have already posted the job and collected a stack of applications. Your job is to develop for them a set of 10 questions they will use to interview their top 5 candidates so they can make a decision. Your interview questions should include 5 situational questions and 5 experience-based questions that are relevant to the position and will help them gather more information about the candidate. They have also asked that you recommend any pre or post-employment testing that should occur.

Your original discussion post should include the 10 questions you recommend as well. Please indicate whether they are situational or experience-based. The post should also include a discussion of any pre or post-offer testing that should occur (make sure to indicate when it should occur). Please make sure to weigh the costs and benefits of requiring testing – is it worthwhile?

Response Post Your second post should constructively critique one of your classmate’s proposed interview questions and testing recommendations.

Sources: To receive full credit, you must cite at least one academic or government source to support your position in your original thought post. Please do not cite your book – this assignment requires you to do additional work. The following websites are not appropriate academic citations: Wikipedia.com; Ehow.com; Ask.com; About.com or anything in the same genre.