Community Wellness Advocate

Position Summary The Adolescent OB Clinic Community Wellness Advocate (CWA) is a key grant‑funded member of the Adolescent OB Teen Clinic who will help to promote and maintain stable health and wellness for adolescent clients in the prenatal, postpartum, and parenting stages by connecting hospital and community‑based services to these adolescent clients and their families. Their responsibilities include ensuring adequate scheduling of all client’s prenatal, postpartum and ultrasound appointments; facilitating access and coordination among social service resources and other internal and external resources; helping coordinate transportation for clients in need via PT‑1/Uber; maintaining data on adolescent pregnant and young parents’ educational and employment status; co‑facilitating Centering Pregnancy and Parenting/Breastfeeding Support/Adolescent Parent Postpartum Support Groups; creating individualized interdisciplinary care plans that focus on a client’s health/education and employment goals and monitoring their progress; problem solving with clients to accelerate access to concrete supports; and holding weekly check‑ins with clients either in person or virtually. CWAs provide clinic‑based, in‑home or community‑based one‑on‑one, family, and/or interdisciplinary group support and collaborate with all members of the care team to conduct needs assessments to identify and respond to barriers to the families’ health and wellness. Essential Duties & Responsibilities Functions as a key member of an interdisciplinary team (nurse, social workers, behavioral health clinicians, physicians, pediatrician, resource specialists, clinical support staff, etc.). Provides parent coaching and support, including outreach to and engagement with families to define individual goals and promote healthy development, access to care and services. Schedules and completes initial hospital, clinic, or community‑based visit screening, care plan, and follow‑up visits and phone calls for enrolled patients within specified timeframes. Assists families in addressing and overcoming barriers with a range of concrete supports, including healthcare support services, behavioral health, financial mobility coaching, school‑based interventions, early‑intervention, child‑care and caregiver support, housing, support with utility bills, food, financial entitlements, clothing, transportation, food pantries, violence prevention, social isolation and other appropriate community resources. Teaches families key educational and developmental messages using a variety of culturally, linguistically and educationally appropriate strategies, in a variety of settings. Clearly documents all activities in the patient’s record and care management system, records and monitors the participants’ progress toward goals within specific timeframes, and documents assessments and key patient updates in Epic system. Communicates plans and updates with members of the care team. Works in partnership with the SW Case Management and SW Integrative Behavioral Health to comprehensively assess families’ needs and strengths. Develops and maintains strong relationships with the community and community resources to ensure patient access. Engages in ongoing training and learning. Attends staff meetings with the Adolescent OB Clinical Care Team and, when appropriate, the Teen and Tot team. Position Details Community Wellness Advocate – Research OBGYN Department, 40 hours per week, hybrid schedule. Qualifications High school diploma preferred, associate’s degree minimum, knowledge of Massachusetts community services landscape (specific to Dorchester and Roxbury preferred). MA driver’s license required. 2‑5 years of prior healthcare, public health, mental health, or community‑based programmatic experience preferred. Bilingual, preferably English and either Spanish or Haitian Creole. Basic knowledge of healthcare system and social service landscape. Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills. Understanding of how language, culture and socioeconomic circumstances affect health. Compensation $22.84 – $31.97 per hour (range subject to modification based on geographic location). Total compensation includes benefits, discretionary bonuses, 403(b) savings match, paid time off, career development resources, and family well‑being support. EEO Statement Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Veterans. #J-18808-Ljbffr