The Epilepsy Team understands that complete patient care does not stop once seizures are under control. It is human nature to want to lead a full and rewarding life and that includes being able to work at a decent job.

• PEP Jobs' History
• How PEP Jobs Can Help
• Employment Coordinator
• Employment Specialist
• PEP Jobs Community
• Sign Up Here!
• Program Funding

PEP Jobs' History

One of the most commonly asked questions by persons with epilepsy is, "Where can I go for help finding a job?" Because many people with epilepsy experience difficulties with career options, the California Pacific’s Epilepsy Program, and the State Department of Rehabilitation, have established an employment program called PEP Jobs. The program is sponsored by California Pacific Medical Center; additional partners are the Epilepsy Foundation of Northern California, and the epilepsy programs at UCSF Medical Center and Stanford Medical Center.

Many persons with epilepsy need a helping hand and some extra support with the basics of employment preparation, such as résumé development, interviewing techniques, appropriate dress and, as they conduct a job search, guidance in seeking and selecting a job that is right for them.

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How PEP Jobs Can Help

The PEP Jobs Program includes an Employment Coordinator and an Employment Specialist who work collaboratively to help job seekers with epilepsy find and maintain employment. Because the staff understands how epilepsy can affect job seekers with epilepsy and are familiar with the employment world as well, they can help patients find jobs that are the right fit for both the program participant and the employer.

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Employment Coordinator

The Employment Coordinator helps with employment preparation and overall job maintenance, including:

Resume preparation - assistance and instruction

Job interviewing - techniques and practice

Dressing for success - tips and resources

On-the-job behavior - job coaching for job retention

Employment selection and career choice

Whether, when and how to disclose medical condition(s)

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues

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Employment Specialist

The Employment Specialist works closely with employers placing participants in suitable positions and maintaining on-going communication with employers to ensure job success. The Employment Specialist also helps participants develop and maintain new job skills to be more successful at keeping their jobs. Employment Specialist services include:

Contacting potential employers to generate job leads

Assisting and training clients to conduct online job searches

Evaluating potential employment opportunities

Offering guidance as decisions about jobs occur

Following-up with employers to create a closed loop system that continually improves the relationship between our participants and employers

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PEP Jobs Community

Building on the expertise and experience of the PEP Jobs program supporters, we have created a comprehensive job placement and counseling service. In order to support and learn from one another, participants will have the opportunity to join a local epilepsy support group where they can meet with others who face similar issues, support one another and share successes. PEP Jobs participants will also have access to volunteer peer mentors as a part of a mentorship program.

Our services, during our first year, will be limited, for the most part, to residents of Marin, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties.

PEP Jobs Partners with Employers
Employers can benefit by tapping into a highly motivated and loyal employee talent pool. Hiring persons with epilepsy helps major corporations “give back” to the community, while benefiting the business at the same time. Involving employers is an essential component to the PEP Jobs’ success and the Epilepsy Foundation volunteer staff will continue to provide on-going education for employers, helping to correct common misconceptions involving epilepsy and seizure disorders.

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Sign Up Here!

If you are interested in participating in this program please complete the program questionnaire (link below) and mail it to:
California Pacific Epilepsy Program
Attn: Employment Coordinator at PEP Jobs
2100 Webster St., #115
San Francisco, CA 94115
Or fax the completed questionnaire to 415-600-1379.
Should you have any questions or wish to speak to someone directly, please call 415-600-1378. We can also be reached by e-mail at PolandM@sutterhealth.org.

PEP Jobs Questionnaire (pdf)

If you’re not quite ready today to participate, let us know that you might be interested so we can inform you about what’s available as we build the PEP Jobs program. Then when you are ready, you will already know how it works.

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Program Funding

PEP Jobs was funded through a generous donation from the California Pacific Medical Center Foundation and a grant from the California Department of Rehabilitation.

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