Bilingual Medicare-Medicaid Outreach Specialist

RIPIN

JOB POSTING

Bilingual Medicare-Medicaid Outreach Specialist

$20-$22 / hour

About RIPIN:

RIPIN (Rhode Island Parent Information Network) deploys a peer model to support people with special healthcare and education needs across the whole lifespan. Founded in 1991 by a group of parents of children with special needs, RIPIN continues to be peer-led: a majority of our board and more than three-fourths of our staff are parents or caretakers of loved ones with special needs. RIPIN’s peer professionals now help more than 45,000 Rhode Islanders every year navigate healthcare, schools, and other support systems.

Job Summary:
The Medicare-Medicaid Outreach Specialist will work to raise awareness of RIPIN’s program that helps people with Medicare and Medicaid coverage (“duals”) access healthcare and health insurance. The Outreach Specialist will perform community outreach to individuals enrolled in or eligible for Rhode Island’s Medicare-Medicaid Plan (MMP), including low-income older adults and individuals with disabilities. RIPIN program staff assist consumers in obtaining access to needed health care services, and coordinate with health insurance care managers to provide whole-person support for the consumer.
The Medicare-Medicaid Outreach Specialist will develop, organize, and conduct outreach events, with special focus on disadvantaged communities including individuals with developmental disabilities, consumers with serious and persistent mental illness, homeless individuals, and consumers living in institutions or alternative living settings. The Medicare-Medicaid Outreach Specialist will manage and build relationships with outside partners, including community-based organizations, healthcare professionals, residential facilities, State agencies and workgroups, and the MMP.

Essential Functions:
• Build a working knowledge of RIPIN’s program supporting Medicare-Medicaid beneficiaries by working with RIPIN staff, in order to help consumers understand and access RIPIN’s services.
• Partner with RIPIN colleagues and other stakeholders to develop an engaging outreach and marketing program that educates consumers and enables them to advocate for their needs.
• Coordinate with program staff and staff of other RIPIN programs to provide support for health care access issues identified during outreach events.
• Provide culturally competent outreach to various target groups, including individuals with developmental disabilities, individuals with serious and persistent mental illness, homeless individuals, homebound individuals, consumers living in institutions, and consumers who lack literacy skills or who have communication impairment.
• Develop and conduct events at senior centers, adult day centers, nursing facilities, group homes, and assisted living facilities.
• Design and implement marketing activities designed to reach low-income older adults and individuals with disabilities.

Manage program relationships with outside partners including community-based organizations, State partners, healthcare providers, and the MMP
• Provide an average of eight to ten outreach activities and events per month at locations throughout the State.
• Assist in establishing and implementing an outreach evaluation system to pursue continuous outreach quality improvement.
• Support RIPIN outreach activities related to other programs and services as needed including serving as a HealthSource RI Navigator.
• Accept other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• A belief in the mission, vision, and values of RIPIN.
• Knowledge (or a willingness to build knowledge) on systems of care and health insurance coverage within the state of Rhode Island.
• High level of interpersonal communication skills to interact professionally and cordially with consumers and professionals.
• Ability to convey complex information in a clear and understandable manner.
• Time management and organizational skills to balance multiple engagements and effectively prioritize projects of varying complexity while meeting required deadlines.
• Ability to present to small and large audiences that include consumers and professionals.
• Proficiency in computer and internet navigation, as well as computer skills to maintain and update program-related materials.

Education and Experience:
• High school diploma/GED required; Associates Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Education, Health, or related field preferred.
• Preferred minimum of two years’ experience supporting families and individuals with special healthcare needs, OR two years’ experience conducting outreach activities to diverse communities, OR any combination of the two.
• Personal experience navigating healthcare, special education, and/or other social support systems and services for self or family member highly desired
• Fluency (speaking, reading, writing) in English and Spanish required
• Community Health Workers certification preferred; non-certified incumbents are expected to earn certification within 18 months of hire date.

Physical Demands:
• Regularly required to talk or hear
• Regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms
• Regularly required to climb stairs, reach, stretch, stand and bend
• Required to have the ability to lift and/or moves up to 25 pounds
• Required to remain at their station for prolonged periods of time.

Working Conditions/ Work Environment:
• Primary work location is a climate-controlled indoor office environment; however, may also be required to conduct visits in private homes, climbing up to three flights of stairs, and community locations
• Flexibility for travel related to job requirements
• Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends as needed
• Provide own reliable transportation with proof of valid driver’s license and RI requirements of auto insurance.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Please include letter of interest, resume, and salary requirements to complete your application.

RIPIN provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.