Community Health Educator II - OCOE

Community Health Educator II

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is an independent, nonprofit organization providing adult cancer treatment and groundbreaking research focused on cancer and infectious diseases. Based in Seattle, Fred Hutch is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Washington.

With a track record of global leadership in bone marrow transplantation, HIV/AIDS prevention, immunotherapy and COVID-19 vaccines, Fred Hutch has earned a reputation as one of the world's leading cancer, infectious disease and biomedical research centers. Fred Hutch operates eight clinical care sites that provide medical oncology, infusion, radiation, proton therapy and related services, and network affiliations with hospitals in five states. Together, our fully integrated research and clinical care teams seek to discover new cures to the world's deadliest diseases and make life beyond cancer a reality.

At Fred Hutch we value collaboration, compassion, determination, excellence, innovation, integrity and respect. Our mission is directly tied to the humanity, dignity and inherent value of each employee, patient, community member and supporter. Our commitment to learning across our differences and similarities make us stronger. We seek employees who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems.

The Office of Community Outreach & Engagement (OCOE) is an integral component of the Consortium. It is housed at Fred Hutch in Seattle with field offices in Sunnyside and Spokane. The mission of the OCOE is better outcomes for everybody. Using a qualitative and quantitative data-driven approach, the OCOE centers authentic engagement, community-based participatory research (CBPR), and education driven by community need. The OCOE works in partnership with local Community Action Boards and an Internal Advisory Council of leaders and faculty from the Consortium.

We are seeking a Community Health Educator to serve in a combined role that supports both OCOE and the U19 Cancer Awareness, Navigation, and Outreach to Enhance Indigenous Health Outcomes (CANOE) Partnership. This position is based at Fred Hutch in Seattle within the Indigenous Cancer Health Excellence Initiative (ICHE-i) and includes responsibilities supporting community outreach and engagement, health education, and patient navigation among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities.

This role also supports the Strengthening Awareness and Community Resources for Early Detection of Lung Cancer through Navigation Guided Screening (SACRED LUNGS) Research Project, a community-engaged research project within the U19 CANOE Partnership focused on improving lung cancer screening among AI/AN communities through a culturally responsive patient navigation approach developed in partnership with Tribal communities. The project aims to increase access to screening and follow-up care while building evidence to support effective and sustainable lung cancer screening strategies in Indigenous healthcare settings. The individual in this role will work closely with faculty, staff, Tribal partners, and community members to support outreach, programming, research, and navigation efforts that address cancer disparities and improve cancer outcomes for AI/AN communities.

The CANOE Partnership is a U19 Cooperative Agreement focused on improving cancer outcomes among AI/AN communities nationally, with an emphasis on the Washington State catchment area of the Consortium. Its aims are to improve commercial tobacco cessation, increase lung cancer screening among Tribal partner populations, prepare the next generation of researchers in Indigenous cancer outcomes, and strengthen infrastructure for Tribal engagement and Indigenous frameworks in cancer research.

The Community Health Educator II (CHE) works in community-based partnerships to implement evidence-informed practices that address the cancer burden among AI/AN communities throughout Washington State. The CHE serves as a critical link among Consortium researchers and staff, Tribal and urban Indian communities, and Tribal organizations, and must have demonstrated knowledge of Tribal Sovereignty, governance, and community norms. The CHE supports outreach and engagement, program implementation, health education, and patient navigation across OCOE and the U19 CANOE Partnership to promote prevention, early detection, and access to care.

This role will have the opportunity to work partially at our campus and remotely. Evening and/or weekend work may occasionally be required.

To be considered for this role, please submit cover letter with resume.

Responsibilities

The Community Health Educator (CHE) for Indigenous Populations will report to the Project Manager for ICHE-i. The CHE will support Consortium work that addresses the cancer burden in the area we serve, including efforts to reduce cancer health disparities that disproportionately affect AI/AN populations and ensure that community voice is heard and brought to the OCOE on a regular and continuing basis. The CHE will support work across the OCOE and the U19 CANOE Partnership, including the SACRED LUNGS Research Project, and will facilitate partnerships among Consortium researchers, OCOE staff, and Tribes and/or urban Indian communities on collaborative projects related to cancer outreach, education, navigation, and disparities reduction. The position will require local and regional travel throughout Western Washington, occasional travel to Eastern Washington, and occasional out-of-state travel for conferences. This includes regular local travel to Tribal clinics within the South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency (SPIPA) consortium Tribes, approximately two to three days per week, to conduct patient navigation activities and support implementation of the SACRED LUNGS Project. Time spent on duties may vary depending on the time of year and local priorities.

Essential Duties:

• Conduct eligibility for lung cancer screening among individuals identified as high risk for lung cancer and navigate those eligible to appropriate cancer screening services.
• Provide logistical support and address patient concerns related to parking, directions, transportation, co-pays, insurance coverage, and other navigation needs.
• Refer patients to commercial tobacco cessation treatment resources and complete patient notes and medical record documentation in a timely manner.
• Document navigation activities, track patient progress in study databases, and contribute to required reporting for clinical and research purposes.
• Attend and participate in SACRED LUNGS Research Project, care coordination, and community meetings as needed to support project implementation, cross-team communication, and engagement with Tribal partners.

• Practice community-based participatory research principles in community engagement and interactions.
• Develop, facilitate, and maintain academic, research, Tribal and urban Indian community partnerships to implement cancer control strategies as a representative of the OCOE and Consortium.
• Coordinate, plan, and participate in events, including community workshops, OCOE signature events, and health fairs.
• Lead and participate in external committees and coalitions related to addressing cancer health outcomes among Indigenous communities.
• Travel for events and meetings with partner organizations.

• Create content for culturally appropriate materials and products (i.e., study brochures, curricula, and educational materials) based on principles and methods of health education and promotion.
• Coordinate projects with academic, research, community, local government, regional, and Tribal partners to implement cancer control and education strategies.
• Conduct regular needs assessments, interviews, program evaluations, strategic plans, qualitative and quantitative evaluations, and reports to recommend improvements and demonstrate best practices for OCOE programming.
• Recruit underrepresented populations in Consortium research and conduct qualitative interviews and reports.

• Practice and demonstrate cultural humility with diverse populations that OCOE and ICHE-i engages with.
• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills for development of materials and presentations.
• Develop training materials with OCOE team for in-reach and outreach.
• Facilitate and participate in regular staff meetings.
• Report progress on education and engagement work in OCOE database.
• Oversee the work of volunteers and interns as needed.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree with major study in public health, community health education, or closely allied field; OR an Associate's degree with at least two years of professional experience in public health, disease prevention, health promotion, or a related area; OR four years of relevant professional experience.
• One year of work experience in a clinical setting.
• Valid WA State driver's license.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a multidisciplinary healthcare team
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience working with rural communities.
• Knowledge and demonstrated experience working with Tribes and urban Indian communities.
• Working knowledge of healthcare resources and networks in rural counties of WA State.
• Experience conducting trainings and/or making group presentations.
• Experience with principles and methods of health education/promotion, program coordination and evaluation.
• Experience in planning, developing and implementing public health interventions (i.e. public awareness and social marketing campaigns).
• Experience working in collaborative public health initiatives involving multiple stakeholders. Experience with community engagement.
• Experience with relationship and coalition building.
• Must be culturally aware, demonstrate cultural humility, and sensitive to diverse populations in the Consortium's catchment area.