Community Health Worker

Community Health Worker

The Wilson County Health Department is seeking applicants for a Community Health Worker position. The position will participate in community capacity building through knowledge and self-reliance and activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy. This is a time limited position for 1.5 years. However, this position has the potential to become permanent if future funding is secured for its continuation. Hours: The regular work hours for this position are 8:00 am- 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday. Night or weekend work is performed as needed or required for public health emergencies and/or job related activities. Flexible scheduling is optional. Applicants must be bilingual! Compensation: The minimum starting salary for a fully qualified applicant starts at $29,748. Starting salary is based on education and direct work related experience.

The primary purpose of the Community Health Worker (CHW) position is to work with uninsured residents of Wilson County to improve community resilience, quality of life, and cultural and linguistic competence of service delivery. The CHW will participate in community capacity building through knowledge and self-reliance and activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy. Work varies from sharing information, explaining medical instructions, demonstrating health care procedures, and clarifying the client's problem to the provider, to reporting observations of conditions to professionals. The CHW will offer constant encouragement to motivate clients.

Reproductive Health: 40% Coordinate with staff to implement evidence-based services in health department clinics and in the community. Facilitate and coordinate with staff to provide educational classes and materials that incorporate information on reproductive health and birth control methods. Perform follow-ups on missed family planning appointments. Develop and administer a participant satisfaction survey to evaluate services and submit an annual satisfaction summary report to the Department of Public Health (DPH). Collaborates with other key agencies to provide education and facilitate events that promote a reduction in unintended pregnancy rates. Assists with interim and final program reports. Participate in all program webinars and meetings as required by DPH.

Maternal and Infant Health 40% Educate pregnant and postpartum residents about the 12-month postpartum Medicaid coverage, application process for Medicaid, and recertification for Medicaid. Provide education specific to prenatal and postpartum care, Newborn care, development, feeding, safety, and the need for well-baby care and immunizations. Make referrals based on participants' need for resources. Collaborates with other key agencies to provide education and facilitate events that promote infant mortality reduction to include but not limited to car seat safety and infant safe sleep practices. Assist with the collection of data on program participants and service deliverables for annual reports to DPH. Participate in all program webinars and meetings as required by DPH.

Outreach and Recruitment: 8% Collaborates with various churches, companies, agencies, organizations, health specialists, civic groups, and individuals to achieve health department goals and any other duties as instructed by the Supervisor and/or Health Director

Other: 2% Any other responsibility within the scope of the position as assigned by the Supervisor and/or Health Director.

Demonstrated possession of knowledge, skills, and abilities as stated above, including proficiency in English and Spanish, through at least one year of experience in performing similar tasks in a medical or social services setting. Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Working knowledge of applicable supportive mechanical acts and/or sanitation and personal hygiene; basic knowledge of the social, economic, and environmental conditions of clients to be served; ability to establish rapport and relate to population served and a variety of services disciplines (nurses, doctors, social workers); ability to follow written and verbal instructions; ability to record basic data; ability to perform required physical tasks; ability to learn basic lab techniques such as urinalysis, hemoglobin, hematocrit.

Special requirement: Community Health Worker Course or must successfully complete the NC Community Health Worker course within 9 months of employment