Health Educator

Job Summary: Is a member of the care team that supports providers in addressing the patient’s health and wellness related needs. Provides group and individual education to patients on topics related to diagnosis, self management and prevention under general supervision. Works collaboratively with other care providers including doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and therapists to identify health needs and develop patient centered health promotion plans. Responsible for providing coaching, consultation and intervention to patients with one or more chronic or acute conditions. Plans and evaluates health education programs.

PART I: ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTION AND DUTIES

1. Responsible for building and maintaining an active patient case load necessary to meet productivity requirements.

2. Daily tasks include but are not limited to:

a. Provide individual and group health education sessions to patients.

b. Actively receive and reach out for warm handoffs from providers for patients who need health education services.

c. Provide heath education and health coaching services to clients related to their diagnosis, medication adherence, wellness goals and other topics related to their physical and mental health.

d. Responsible for identifying population via provider referral, utilization management referral, disease registry reporting mechanisms and patient self-referral.

e. Collaborate with providers to identify potential clients and maintain collaborative relationships with others on care team.

f. Refer to care coordinators, behavioral health therapists, other provider and outside agencies for patients presenting with concerns outside of scope of practice.

g. Provide educational information on their medical health and how to manage their health diagnosis.

h. Collect data through patient tracking in order to measure outcomes.

i. Development of curriculum for patient education sessions (on both individual and group levels).

j. Conducts programmatic and strategic planning with internal and external stakeholders as appropriate in regard to health issues and topic development.

k. Implements and monitors the use of evidence based health education curricula and health promotion programs with emphasis on program fidelity, evaluation and effectiveness.

l. Prepare a variety of educational materials from credible sources such as pamphlets, presentations, care algorithms, class teaching plans and flyers.

3. Implement Medication Adherence Plans when required.

4. Implement Care Plans that are developed by the interdisciplinary team. This includes short and long term strategies and team recommendations towards improved patient health outcomes.

a. Encourage, support and promote healthy living activities that are aligned with the patient’s health goal (e.g. PATH Chronic Disease management, fitness classes, Cooking Matters).

b. Educate and provide materials and access to information for overview of disease and self-management techniques.

c. Review and discuss prescribed medications for patient’s identified condition, along with other medication list

d. Be aware and attentive to the barriers that may impede the patient’s ability to follow doctor’s instructions, i.e. follow up supportive calls, attend appointments, follow up on referrals, consistent medication regimen, etc.

5. Monitor and intervene when necessary to overcome barriers to or deviations from the patient plan of care.

6. Help patients understand their health conditions, develop strategies to improve their health conditions and provide informal counseling, support, and follow-up procedures.

7. Help improve patient ability to effectively communicate with health care providers.

8. Help identify and reduce cultural and socio-economic barriers between a patient and health provider.

9. Facilitate support groups and psycho-education groups on Health, Nutrition, and Exercise (i.e., PATH).

10. Assess patient’s needs and refers patients to community resources and other agencies to meet identified needs.

11. Responsible for ensuring effectiveness of their services to improve and maintain the health status and patient satisfaction.

12. Document all patient contacts (phone, in person, or third party communications) at all times within 24 hours using the EMR.

13. Must complete all assigned task within the deadlines provided.

14. Required to attend all daily huddles, team meetings, supervision and other meetings required by Supervisor or Management.

15. Attend community events as directed by management to understand community issues and provide information to patients.

16. Advocate for patient needs and act as liaison between communities, individuals and other service providers as related to a patient’s health goal.

17. Perform other duties as assigned.

PART II: CLINIC WIDE RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Customer Relations:

a. Treats guests, patients, physicians, and other employees with care, courtesy, and respect.

b. Responds quickly and appropriately to customer request.

c. Looks for and suggests ways to better meet customer needs.

d. Answers clinic communications systems promptly and with courtesy and respect.

2. Teamwork:

a. Works cooperatively within own department and other areas.

b. Willingly accepts additional responsibility – tries to make others job easier.

c. Responds quickly to request for assistance.

d. Required to work closely with patients and associates.

e. Interacts with other departments on problem issues.

f. Accepts feedback from patients, visitors, clinic employees, physicians and general public.

3. Continuous Improvement:

a. Continuously looks for and suggests ways to improve.

b. Effectively completes assignment to achieve the greatest benefits at acceptable cost.

c. Implements improvements as appropriate.

d. Demonstrates interest in own growth and development by:

i. Periodically evaluating own performance.

ii. Demonstrating an awareness of personal abilities and limitations.

iii. Independently seeking means to make improvements.

e. Attends and participates in in-services and continuing education programs

f. Attends departmental meetings.

4. Communications:

a. Keeps appropriate people informed.

b. Speaks and writes clearly, concisely, and appropriately for need.

c. Listens carefully.

d. Communicates tactfully.

e. Understands that all confidentiality and privacy considerations are respected and fostered at work and off duty.

f. Use of personal cell phone is required for punching in and out of timekeeping system and as a security step for system access as needed.

5. Self –Management:

a. Presents a positive image of Western Wayne Family Health Centers at all times.

b. Carries out assignments with little need for direction.

c. Timeliness.

d. Maintains confidentiality.

e. Provides proper notification of absence and tardiness.

f. Works weekends and shifts when necessary.

PART III: EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

1. Bachelor’s degree in health education, health promotion, public health, social work, nursing, dietetics or related field.

2. One (1) year experience working in a public health setting, community or public health oriented environment, preferred.

3. One (1) year of experience working with an electronic medical record system, preferred.

4. Bilingual (English/Arabic or English/Spanish) preferred.

5. Experience with Microsoft Office Suite products, preferred.

PART IV: KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Knowledge of public health problems, principles and practices; of theoretical concepts of health behavior and change theory; of current social and economic problems as they relate to public health; of basic epidemiology.

2. Possess skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with patients, staff and the public.

3. Needs to have knowledge of multiple and chronic diseases and be able to deliver self-management techniques and interventions specifically geared towards positive medical outcomes and goals of the patients care.

4. Must have working knowledge of symptoms, treatments and common chronic illnesses as seen in primary care. Required to remain current and educated on these topics.

5. Must have the ability to adapt quickly to changing conditions and assimilating new processes into job functions.

6. Knowledge of and ability to use software used in health care settings; the ability to communicate clearly orally and in writing; to write reports, business correspondence, procedures, to correctly document patient progress ;and effectively present information.

7. Must have adequate transportation to visit the sites of the WWFHC.

8. Must demonstrate a history of cooperative relations with colleagues, support staff, administrators, and patients and an ability to function effectively as part of a professional team delivering healthcare in a community setting.

9. Must have excellent communication and listening skills, including motivational interviewing.

10. Ability to work in a multi-cultural setting.

11. Flexibility in days and hours available for scheduled work.

12. Excellent teaching and communication skills.

13. Ability to organize and prioritize work appropriately.

14. Ability to design, prepare, deliver and modify course curriculum and associated educational aids and do literature searches.