TRANSCENDS: A Career Development Program for Underrepresented in Medicine Scholars in Academic Neurology

Background:The Training in Research for Academic Neurologists to Sustain Careers and Enhance the Numbers of Diverse Scholars (TRANSCENDS) program is a career advancement opportunity for individuals underrepresented in biomedical research, funded by the National Institute and Neurological Disorders and Stroke; and American Academy of Neurology (AAN).Objective:To report on qualitative and quantitative outcomes in TRANSCENDS.Design:Early career individuals (neurology fellows and junior faculty) from groups underrepresented in medicine were competitively selected from a national pool of applicants (2016-2019). TRANSCENDS activities comprised an online Clinical Research degree program, monthly webinars, AAN meeting activities, and mentoring. Participants were surveyed during and after completion of TRANSCENDS to evaluate program components.Outcomes:Of 23 accepted scholars (comprising four successive cohorts), 56% were women; 61% Hispanic/Latinx, 30% Black/African American, 30% assistant professors. To date, 48% have graduated the TRANSCENDS program and participants have published 180 peer-reviewed articles. Mentees' feedback noted that professional skills development (i.e., manuscript and grant writing), networking opportunities, and mentoring were the most beneficial elements of the program. Stated opportunities for improvement included: incorporating a mentor-the-mentor workshop, providing more transitional support for mentees in the next stage of their careers, and requiring mentees to provide quarterly reports.Conclusions:TRANSCENDS is a feasible program for supporting underrepresented in medicine neurologists towards careers in research and faculty academic appointments attained thus far have been sustained. While longer term outcomes and process enhancements are warranted, programs like this may help increase the numbers of diverse academic neurologists, and further drive neurological innovation.

2485 Advancing research professionals through competency assessments

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: Describe the framework for tier advancement of research professionals. Describe the various forms of assessments of competencies. How competencies are used to provide transparency into professional development opportunities. Discuss the results of the first tier advancement opportunity for research staff. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: These processes were developed at Duke, an academic medical center with over 2000 active clinical research protocols and 300 new clinical trials per year. Roughly 500 employees are categorized into tiered classifications, allowing them opportunities for advancement through competency testing. Approximately 10% opted for tier testing, and their results will be shared. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Competency assessments were developed for all 42 of Duke’s research professional competencies, some using 2 modalities of testing. Almost 12% of the research professionals classified in tiered positions opted to attempt the tier advancement process. Of those, 37 completed, and the vast majority reached their desired tier. Results by competency will be provided. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: The use of objectively assessed competencies is an important step in the development of a workforce. By (1) maintaining alignment with industry standards for competencies, (2) holding staff to a high bar, and (3) offering a consistent approach to career growth, Duke is working to develop and maintain a workforce that supports high quality research.

Influence of public service motivation on job satisfaction and organisational commitment of Quantity Surveyors in Nigerian public service

Public Service Motivation (PSM) has been reported to have significant influence on employees’ work attitudes. The study samples the opinion of Quantity Surveyors (QS) in Nigeria FederalMinistries and Parastatals by adopting PSM construct questionnaire template used by previous researchers to investigate the impact of PSM on job satisfaction and organizational commitment amongst QS. The data were subjected to descriptive statistics and correlation analysis, to precipitate major variables that exhibit significant impact on job satisfaction, organisational commitment and PSM amongst QS working in Nigerian public sectors. The research revealed that QS in public service are more satisfied with their job when adequate recognition is given and opportunities for advancement are encouraged. The result of the correlation also showed that strong positive relationship existed between job satisfaction and public interest and also between organizational commitment and self sacrifice with the r-value of 89% and 92% respectfully. The research recommended that advancement opportunity in career progression and professional development such as in-house training should be encouraged to improve quality service delivery and that PSM should be seen as a vital instrument that could be employed to search for individuals who are best suited and ready to render selfless service for public work.

The new inclusive perspective of working psychology: its significance in the Italian context

- The new inclusive perspective of working psychology developed by Blustein is an essential stimulus, in the Italian context, as advancement opportunity both for the realization of intervention to promote a better personal and social quality of life, and for community advancement by recognizing the inclusive working dimension in the individual life. In Italy, one can trace theoretical and intervention foundation, making it now possible to welcome in the new inclusive working psychology as a reference in the 21st century, both at an intervention level, and in areas such as policy making and the defense of social justice. Hence, this article provides an annotated presentation of the principal significance of the new inclusive perspective of working psychology, in an Italian context.Keywords: inclusive perspective, working psychology, Italian context.Parole chiave: visione inclusiva, psicologia per il lavoro, contesto italiano.

Rehabilitation Counselor Self-Reported Levels of Job Satisfaction, Self-Esteem, and Attitudes Toward Persons with Disabilities

The purpose of this descriptive study was to investigate the levels of job satisfaction, self-esteem, and attitudes toward persons with disabilities of rehabilitation counselors. High ratings were found in all areas, with two exceptions. Regarding job satisfaction, the motivation factor (advancement opportunity) and the hygiene factor (salary) proved to be major sources of dissatisfaction. The study underscores the importance of administrator and supervisor understanding of service provider motivation and behavior in rehabilitation settings.