Pre to 3 Client Advocate 1

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

• Client relationships: The Client Advocate builds trusting relationships with families through general support and encouragement, enabling them to serve as a liaison/link between health/social services and the community, while removing barriers that prevent community members from accessing certain physical and mental health and social services. Provides culturally and linguistically appropriate services to clients. The CA should have the ability to provide crisis intervention, develop goals based on client’s needs and maintain accurate and comprehensive notes in Cognito (client database). Assist clients in identifying their strengths and motivate them to reach their goals. Work closely with the Pre to 3 team to create developmental action plans to improve family outcomes.
• Home Visits: The CA will have Community Health Worker home visits prenatally and through the baby’s 3rd year of life with a small caseload of clients. A Community Health Worker visits the family each week and uses the Growing Great Kids (GGK) curriculum to teach important skills that build family resiliency and a healthy home environment.  
• Goal Setting: The Client Advocate works together with clients to set family goals. Coaches and supports families to set and accomplish goals. Facilitates appointments to health and social service organizations. Follows up on appointments or other instructions from community providers by call, text, or home visit. Works to ensure the client attends and has access to scheduled appointments. Conduct Medicaid eligibility determination, enrollment, and follow-up with uninsured patients. Accepts referrals from team members to meet clients’ needs.
• Case Management: Participates in staff case management and works with Public Health Nurses regarding client caseload weekly.
• 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 staff in making appropriate referrals. Notifies clinical team and supervisor regarding changes in behavior, nutrition, exercise, substance use, medication compliance, and other issues as related to the care plan for the patient.
• Direct Service/Advocacy: 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. Creates a collaborative environment in which advocates and staff, at all levels of the program, are encouraged to voice ideas and concerns.
• Community Outreach: Participates in community public education activities and outreach to raise awareness on the program goals set for Pre to 3. Distributes flyers, brochures, or resources to inform members of an intended community about the Pre to 3 program.
• Documentation: Provides ongoing follow up and outreach; completes regular data entry. Assists clients in completing all required forms & agreements, and supply 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: Bachelor’s degree in a related field (public health, healthcare administration, counseling, social work, sociology etc.) from an accredited college or university OR an Associates Degree in a related field (public health, healthcare administration, counseling, social work, sociology etc.) from an accredited college or university and two years of related experience. Must be passionate about maternal and infant outcomes to decrease infant mortality. 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. The CA should have advocacy skills, strong listening skills, and the 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. 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’ needs and overcomes obstacles in serving them. Familiarity with Department of Children and Family Services, guardianship rights and laws, and other agencies providing services.  Knowledge of regulations related to mental health services. Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests.  Familiarity with community resources. Understanding of social determinants of health and a commitment to health equity, particularly racial equity.
• Skills: Excellent interpersonal communication to understand the needs of the community and translate such needs to the team and families served. Skilled and knowledgeable in the principles and practices of public health, program management, and human services. Understanding of social determinants of health and a commitment to health equity, particularly racial equity. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and ability to communicate complex public health information in a clear and compelling way. Leadership and training skills with an ability to coordinate and influence team members. Competence in resolving problems/conflicts in a diplomatic and tactful manner; exercising discretion in handling confidential information. Proficient in Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook.
• 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. 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. 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: 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, iPads, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. Employee frequently moves equipment and supplies weighing up to 35 pounds. Will be required to receive vaccinations. 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: $49,542
• 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.