Pre to 3 Community Health Worker 1

Under the general direction of the Pre to 3 Program Supervisor, the Community Health Worker will perform the following duties:

• Client relationships: The CHW builds trusting relationships with families through general support and encouragement, enabling the CHW to serve as liaison/link between health/social services and the community, while removing barriers that prevent community members from accessing certain health and social services. Provides culturally and linguistically appropriate services to assigned clients.
• Home Visits: CHW makes regular home visits prenatally and through baby’s 3rd year. A Community Health Worker visits the family each week and uses the Growing Great Kids (GGK) curriculum to teach important skills that builds family resiliency and healthy home environment.
• Case Management: Works together with clients to set family goals. Coaches and supports families to set and accomplish wellness goals. Facilitates appointments to health and social service organizations. Follows up on appointments or other instructions from health homes and community providers by call, text, or home visit. Works to ensure the resident attends and has access to scheduled appointments. Participates in client case conferences and works with Public Health Nurses regarding caseload weekly. Conduct Medicaid eligibility determination, enrollment and follow-up with uninsured patients.
• Health Education: Identifies and reinforces risk reduction behaviors. Provides appropriate education utilizing the standard evidenced based Growing Great Kids Next Generation curriculum. Performs risk screenings, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy; increases health knowledge and education. Provides shadow opportunities to new employees and interns.
• Referrals to Resources: Collaborates with other agencies and program client advocates in making appropriate referrals. Notifies clinical team and supervisor regarding changes in behavior, nutrition, exercise, substance abuse, medication compliance, and other issues as related to the care plan for the patient.
• Direct Service/Advocacy: Helps coordinate patient transportation and accompaniment as needed, to scheduled appointments. Advocates for the needs of individuals by assisting them in effectively communicating with healthcare or social service providers. Interprets, translates, or provides cultural mediation related to health services or information for community members. Acts as a patient advocate and liaison between patient/family and community service agencies.
• Community Outreach: Participates in community public education activities and outreach to raise awareness. Distributes flyers, brochures, or other informational or educational documents to inform members of an intended community.
• Documentation: Provides ongoing follow up and outreach; completes regular data entry. Assists clients in completing all required forms, agreements, supplies them to client when appropriate; keeps proper and timely documentation organized electronic documentation system. Maintains confidentiality and uses only the minimum amount of protected health information (PHI) necessary to accomplish job related responsibilities. Collects data to help identify community health needs and in turn, uses that data to conduct outreach for Vanderburgh County Health Department to implement programs in the community that promote, maintain, and improve individual and community health. Bills Medicaid for services provided.
• Training: Attending trainings, conferences and seminars as recommended and maintain certifications.
• Related duties: as assigned.

• Minimum Qualifications: Must be passionate about maternal and infant outcomes to decrease infant mortality. High school diploma or GED. Must have completed a formal Community Health Worker training program or be willing to do so (fully-funded training will be provided). Skilled in using technology and computers. Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a diverse community. Cultural competency/cultural sensitivity and relationship-building skills required. Advocacy skills. Strong listening skills, ability to remain open-minded, unbiased. Friendly, caring personality; willing to support others. Solid critical thinking skills, creativity, and resourcefulness. Experience with the intended community; knowledge of program subject area preferred. Passion for helping the community. Lived experience with specific health issues is a plus. Applicant must have knowledge of community resources, for example infant mortality reduction concepts, and health disparities. Experience in a health field such as, but not limited to, working with children in day care, medical office, or school setting that provides a medical or community support service.
• Knowledge: Understands people‘s needs and overcomes obstacles in serving them. Lived experience with specific health issues a plus.
• Skills: Proficiency with computers including Microsoft Office. Excellent writing, communication, interpersonal, and public relations skills. Exceptional attention to detail. Skills in motivational interviewing. Minimizes errors and maintains high quality by checking or monitoring data and work in a timely manner, and by developing and maintaining systems for organizing work and information. Vanderburgh County resident or knowledge about County resources preferred. Actively explores ways to improve quality of output. Bilingual or multilingual (Spanish, Creole or Marshallese) a plus. Experience working with high-risk Black and other minority mothers helpful.
• Abilities: Ability to coordinate numerous demands simultaneously to successful completion. Ability and willingness to communicate with persons of diverse backgrounds both verbally and in writing using tact and diplomacy. Ability to work with a diverse team in a multi-disciplinary setting. Ability to establish effective working relationships with persons of varied backgrounds. Ability to maintain confidentiality. Ability to be self-motivated to plan, organize, and complete work accurately and on time with little direct supervision. Ability and willingness to follow safe working practices and procedures. Has a genuine desire to help others, especially those in need. Derives satisfaction from serving others. Treats all people with respect; seeks and considers diverse perspectives and ideas; provides a supportive work environment for a multicultural workforce; shows sensitivity to individual differences; treats others fairly without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity; engages in personal reflection and development to address unconscious bias; demonstrates no tolerance for microaggressions; recognizes differences as opportunities to learn and gain by working together.
• Licenses/Certifications: Certificate as a Community Health Worker issued by Healthy Vision of Indiana and supported by INCHWA, Indiana Community Health Workers Association. Certificate required within 1 year of hire; fully funded training and certification will be provided if needed. Valid Indiana driver’s license, current certificate of vehicle insurance, and access to reliable transportation to all assigned work locations. Ability to maintain CPR certification and Universal Precaution training on annual basis.
• Physical Requirements: This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. Employee frequently moves equipment and supplies weighing up to 35 pounds. Will be required to receive vaccinations as a member of the first-responder team. Travel to off-site locations to perform job duties as needed; occasionally this may require employee to work on evenings or weekends. Will require access to an operating vehicle for use when field duties are required.
• Background Check: Pass a drug screen and criminal background check.

Our benefits make Vanderburgh County Health Department an exceptional place to work. We offer:

• Starting salary: $43,742
• Comprehensive benefits package, including: 5 vacation days after the first 6 months and 10 per year with expanded vacation after 5 years and 15 paid holidays annually; medical, dental, and vision coverage; disability insurance; life insurance.
• Workforce Development including ongoing training, and promotional opportunities
• Flexible work hours; 40-hour work week with very occasional weekend assignments. Full time, usual hours 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., M–F, with lunch breaks. May be required to work occasional evenings with the ability to flex these hours.
• A guaranteed pension plan after meeting pension benefit requirements, Public Employee Retirement Fund (PERF)
• Opportunities for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program for eligible workers.
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and welcoming environment. Affirmative action commitment.
• Employees will receive fully funded trainings and certifications throughout their onboarding process and workforce development during their employment.
• Vanderburgh County Health Department is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Vanderburgh County Health Department will take the steps to ensure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Vanderburgh County Health Department at 812-435-2400.