Lung Health Educator

The position of Lung Health Educator will work in the Division of Pulmonary Medicine. The Lung Educator will provide smoking cessation counseling and asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) education to inpatients and outpatients in the Cook County Health & Hospitals System (CCHHS).

Typical Duties

• Receives training in smoking cessation counseling and asthma/COPD education, including proper use of asthma/COPD medications.
• Provides smoking cessation counseling according to program protocols, to inpatients and outpatients.
• Provides LUNG HEALTH education, including instruction on asthma/COPD medications to CCH inpatients and outpatients.
• Travels to clinical and hospital settings throughout CCH for service delivery.
• Conducts telephone-based smoking cessation counseling and follow-ups when needed
• Leads group smoking cessation sessions.
• Identifies and recruits patients; conducts follow-up at designated intervals.
• Communicates with physicians and other clinical staff on patient status and progress.
• Works directly with Clinical Director, pulmonary staff, and other clinical staff to facilitate service delivery.
• Documents patient encounters accurately and according to program protocols.
• Must be able to work flexible hours, may include evenings or weekends, as needed.
• Must be able to travel to work sites throughout Cook County and CCH.
• Performs other duties as necessary

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required. (Must provide proof of official transcripts at time of interview.)
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access) is required.
• One (1) year of experience working with patients or clients in a healthcare, social service agency, or educational setting is required.
• Must be able to work flexible hours, may include evenings or weekends, as needed. Ability to work flexible hours, evenings, and weekends are required.
• Must be able to travel to work sites throughout Cook County and CCHHS. Travel is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• One (1) year of experience providing health education or health counseling to patients or clients in a healthcare, social service agency, or educational setting is preferred.
• Intermediate proficiency using Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access)is preferred.
• Bilingual is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Knowledge of statutory, regulatory and administrative requirements relative to departmental operations
• Intermediate proficiency using Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access)
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Excellent listening, verbal, and written communication skills necessary to communicate with all levels of staff and a patient population composed of diverse cultures and age groups
• Demonstrate attention to detail, accuracy and precision
• Ability to be trained and achieve mastery of program content and protocols for smoking cessation counseling
• Ability to be trained and achieve mastery of program content and protocols for asthma/COPD education, including proper asthma/COPD medication techniques
• Ability to demonstrate mastery of documentation and record-keeping according to program protocols
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines in a fast paced and stressful environment
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor and composure when challenged
• Ability to function autonomously, follow instructions, and respond to management directives
• Must be able to work flexible hours, may include evenings or weekends, as needed
• Must be able to travel to work sites throughout Cook County and CCHHS

Physical and Environmental Demands

This position is functioning within a healthcare environment. The incumbent is responsible for adherence to all hospital and department specific safety requirements. This includes but is not limited to the following policies and procedures: complying with Personal Protective Equipment requirements, hand washing and sanitizing practices, complying with department specific engineering and work practice controls and any other work area safety precautions as specified by hospital wide policy and departmental procedures.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of the personnel so classified.

For purposes of the American with Disabilities Act, “Typical Duties” are essential job functions.

VETERAN PREFERENCE

PLEASE READ

When applying for employment with the Cook County Health & Hospitals System, preference is given to honorably discharged Veterans who have served in the Armed Forces of the United States for not less than 6 months of continuous service

To take advantage of this preference a Veteran must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications for the position.
• Identify self as a Veteran on the employment application by answering yes to the question by answering yes to the question, “Are you a Military Veteran?”
• Attach a copy of their DD 214, DD 215 or NGB 22 (Notice of Separation at time of application filing. Please note: If you have multiple DD214s, 215s, or NGB 22S, Please submit the one with the latest date. Coast Guard must submit a certified copy of the military separation from either the Department of Transportation (Before 9/11) or the Department of Homeland Security (After 9/11). Discharge papers must list and Honorable Discharge Status. Discharge papers not listing an Honorable Discharge Status are not acceptable

OR

• A copy of a valid State ID Card or Driver’s License which identifies the holder of the ID as a Veteran, may also be attached to the application at time of filing.

If items are not attached, you will not be eligible for Veteran Preference

VETERANS MUST PROVIDE ORIGINAL APPLICABLE DISCHARGE PAPERS OR APPLICABLE STATE ID CARD OR DRIVER’S LICENSE AT TIME OF INTERVIEW.

Benefits Package

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Basic Term Life Insurance
• Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation Program
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time
• You may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

For further information on our excellent benefits package, please click on the following link: http://www.cookcountyrisk.com/

Degrees awarded outside of the United States with the exception of those awarded in one of the United States' territories and Canada must be credentialed by an approved U.S. credential evaluation service belonging to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). Original credentialing documents must be presented at time of interview.

COOK COUNTY HEALTH AND HOSPITALS SYSTEM IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER