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Communication Strategies in Behavioral Health Care Instructor - UCLA Extension

Position overview

Position title: Instructor
Salary range: $3,300 per course, quarterly

Application Window

Open date: December 5, 2025

Next review date: Monday, Dec 8, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Sunday, Jan 4, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

UCLA Extension is considered one of the top programs of its kind, offering to more than 35,000 students per year approximately 4,500 classes and non-degree certificate programs to meet the professional development, continuing education, and personal enrichment needs of the full spectrum of nontraditional students as well as companies and organizations throughout and beyond the Los Angeles region. 

Course / Program Description 

High-quality communication among behavioral health care providers, patients, and families has positively influenced client outcomes. Conversely, failures in communication lead to increased client harm, length of hospital stays, resource utilization, caregiver dissatisfaction, and staff turnover. Given the critical role communication plays, this course provides evidence-based strategies to optimize communication for professionals working in health care. Topics include principles of communication, confidentiality, HIPAA, motivational interviewing, the influence of culture and diversity on communication, family dynamics and communication, communication with teams, conflict and crisis management, professional boundaries, skills for high-intensity communications, and grievance management.
The focus is on helping improve individual communication strategies to support a
client-centered and value-oriented behavioral health care system.

Job Description 

 UCLA Extension offers a wide variety of certificate programs and courses including transfer-credit (XL), post-baccalaureate credit-bearing (400-level), continuing education (CEU) credit, and non-credit-bearing general interest courses. UCLA Extension courses and certificate programs offer students the opportunity to learn from highly qualified practitioners who hold advanced degrees, are passionate about teaching and impart knowledge within their field of expertise.

We are looking for an Instructor to teach in the Behavioral Health Support Specialist Program Certificate.

This course will be offered in the online format using the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).

11 weeks, 33 contact hours
Online

Instructor Duties: 

 • Develop and/or update the course syllabus in consultation with the UCLA Extension Program Director as assigned using the approved syllabus template
• Prepare and deliver course materials and learning assessments in the online format
• Utilize the Canvas Learning Management System as the delivery platform for online courses
• Communicate teaching objectives and specific learning outcomes to students and clearly outline the grading policies for the course
• Evaluate student achievement of specific learning outcomes and assign grades
• Promptly post final student grades to the transcript system no later than 2 weeks after the last date of the course meeting
• Promptly respond to student questions and learning needs
• Stay current regarding the professional body of knowledge in the field of practice
• Participate in required orientations and instructor training programs
• Complete required administrative tasks in a timely manner, including completing all hiring paperwork; submitting updated quarterly syllabus; posting bio and photo on the UCLA Extension website; signing the quarterly contract; ordering required texts; communicating AV and classroom needs
• Employ culturally competent teaching methodologies in the classroom inclusive of both domestic and international student populations
• Use subject-matter expertise to impart knowledge to students and leverage additional resources appropriately to enhance the curriculum (i.e., make arrangements for guest speakers, etc.)
• Design interactive and motivational classroom activities to fully engage participants and reinforce student learning
• Update materials periodically and regularly monitor course evaluations to make adjustments and improvements to the curriculum

General Employment Information 

Employment as a UCLA Extension Instructor is dictated by contract terms and conditions. Please take the time to read the UCLA Extension Instructor Employment Policies

For information on UCLA Extension instructor benefits, please visit Pay, Benefits, & Privileges.   

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

• Masters in social work, nursing, public health, or related fields
• Experience working with substance use disorders
• Current knowledge of and demonstrated proficiency behavioral health, including active participation in continuing education and professional development to remain current in the health care management field
• 2+ years of experience working with LGBTQ+ communities
• Experience with cultural humility in health care management, including working with racial and ethnic minorities and underserved communities in a supportive manner
• College-level teaching experience or professional training experience
• Must be committed to the highest level of academic standards and integrity
• Highly effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to convey conceptual and complex ideas and information.
• Effective interpersonal skills, including comfort in discussing highly sensitive topics, such as discrimination or traumatic lived experiences
• Proficiency in (or willingness to learn) the use of instructional technology and online learning management systems, including but not limited to the Canvas learning management system.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
  • Curriculum Vitae/Resume - Your most recently updated Curriculum Vitae/Resume

  • Cover Letter

Reference requirements

References are requested from candidates after the interviewing stage, and references are only contacted for finalists via SkillSurvey system.

Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF10753

Help contact: ehr@unex.ucla.edu

About UCLA

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

Job location

Los Angeles, CA