Community Health Educator (Full Time)

ST. CHARLES HEALTH SYSTEM

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Community Health Educator

REPORTS TO POSITION: Manager, Community Health Strategy

DEPARTMENT: Population Health

DATE LAST REVIEWED: September 4, 2019

OUR VISION: Creating America’s healthiest community, together

OUR MISSION: In the spirit of love and compassion, better health, better care, better value

OUR VALUES: Accountability, Caring and Teamwork

DEPARTMENTAL SUMMARY:

St. Charles Population Health department serves as the core design and facilitation team for health system population health and management services. The Population Health department is integrally linked to payer contracting, care coordination in the inpatient and outpatient setting, local and regional health plans, community needs and integration, public health and regional non-profit entities, and data analytics.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Community Health Educators (CHEs) teach people about behaviors that promote wellness. They develop and implement strategies to improve the health of individuals and communities. A CHE is a trained advocate from the community who works in the field and coordinates care to help bridge the gaps and eliminate barriers to health care and social services for identified at-risk clients. A CHE conducts home and site visits to assess risks, match adults to identified/needed services, and empowers individuals to access community resources through referrals, education, and outreach. A CHE assists the health care team in recognizing potentially serious problems, thus preventing poor health and social outcomes for individuals and communities. The CHE directly reports to and takes direction from the Manager of Community Health Strategy. This position does not supervise other caregivers.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Identifies potential clients through referrals from multiple sources, including but not limited to: Emergency Department or hospital admissions, patients identified by risk stratification tools used in the clinic, and local social services agencies.

Contacts identified clients by telephone, mail, and/or hospital or home visit. Makes additional follow-up contacts with clients as necessary. May arrange transportation to critical medical, behavior and resource appointments as necessary

Completes global needs assessments to identify needs and potential eligibility for any programs and/or assistance for clients

Educates clients about available community resources and works to connect clients to local social service agencies. Provides relevant educational materials and social support

Assists the health care team in the SCFC medical home/team care model in recognizing potential serious problems, in prevention of poor health and social outcomes for individuals and communities

Facilitates access to health related services, including but not limited to: assisting clients with obtaining a medical home, providing instruction on appropriate use of the medical home, assisting patients in overcoming barriers to obtaining needed medical care and social services

Provides cultural mediation between communities and health and human services system where appropriate

Empowers individuals to access appropriate prevention and wellness services to develop their own self care

Maintains accurate client records including documentation of all contacts, services provided and outcomes

Develops and maintains strong working relationships with referral sources and community agencies

Participates in community meetings and events with other agencies and organizations regarding community needs, attends continuing education classes and reports information and/or trains peer CHEs.

Attends department and inter-disciplinary team meetings and in-services and consults with leadership on a weekly basis or more frequently as needed. Meets regularly with other members of the team in the home SCFC clinic/medical home assigned.

Supports the vision, mission and values of the organization in all respects.

Supports Value Improvement Practice (VIP- Lean) principles of continuous improvement with energy and enthusiasm, functioning as a champion of change.

Provides and maintains a safe environment for caregivers, patients and guests.

Conducts all activities with the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality. Complies with all applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures, supporting the organization’s corporate integrity efforts by acting in an ethical and appropriate manner, reporting known or suspected violation of applicable rules, and cooperating fully with all organizational investigations and proceedings.

Delivers customer service and/or patient care in a manner that promotes goodwill, is timely, efficient and accurate.

May perform additional duties of similar complexity within the organization, as required or assigned.

EDUCATION

Required: Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, social work or other related health care field.

Preferred: Two (2) years’ experience working directly with at risk populations preferred. Bilingual eligible applicants encouraged to apply.

LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION/REGISTRATION

Required: Valid Oregon driver’s license and ability to meet St. Charles Health System driving requirements.

Ability to travel to meet with clients/attend business functions/trainings/meetings and all St. Charles Health System worksites.

Preferred: N/A

EXPERIENCE

Required: N/A

Preferred: Two (2) years’ experience working directly with at risk populations.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

Must be able to wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required to perform the job safely.

ADDITIONAL POSITION INFORMATION:

Proficiency or ability to become proficient in word documents, excel and utilization of electronic health record.

Must have excellent communication skills and ability to interact with a diverse population and professionally represent St. Charles Health System.

Strong team working and collaborative skills

Ability to effectively reach consensus with a diverse population with differing needs.

Ability to multi-task and work independently

Attention to detail

Excellent organizational skills, written and oral communication and customer service skills, particularly in dealing with stressful personal interactions

Demonstrated ability and experience in computer applications, specifically MS Office

Some basic knowledge of the community being served and its residents, resources and problems

Understanding of federal, state, and local programs and their eligibility requirements

Ability to be pro-active in asking for help with multiple clients and organizations-churches/shelters, non-profits, grants.

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