Community Health Worker /Health Assistant- African American Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary
The RSS Community Health Worker / Oral Health Assistant (CHW/OHA) plays a critical role in Ready, Set, Smile's school-based oral health program. Their responsibilities touch every aspect of our work including classroom education, community outreach and education, fluoride varnish application, clinical services/unlicensed dental assisting, enrollment of students, and administration. As a RSS CHW/OHA your work will change day to day, from assisting in clinics to doing outreach at school events, from teaching children about tooth brushing to entering in health data.

RSS work is rooted in our desire to create an equitable oral health system for all people, addressing barriers to health equity in systems regarding race and income-levels. This position will be filled by someone who has experience and relationships in the African American/ Black community in the Twin Cities, preferably with experience addressing barriers to optimal health. If you are looking for a mission-focused, team-based, oral health job, this is for you!

RSS supports ongoing training and education for staff and will pay up to $6,000 a year for tuition for a dental workforce course track which includes Community Health Worker Certificate, Licensed Dental Assistant, and other certifications. This is a full-time position, 32-40 hours a week, Monday-Friday, most hours between 7:45 am - 5 pm.

Key Functions and Responsibilities
Job Responsibilities | Breakdown 
School-Based Dental Clinics - 45% of time

• Prepare supplies and equipment for upcoming clinics.
• Set up clinic equipment and supplies at the school.
• Work as a team with all dental providers to ensure that patients have comprehensive and coordinated care.
• Record exam/treatment notes into iPad data collecting software.
• Provide dental assistance and know materials for dental procedures including sealants, interim therapeutic restorations, FVA, and silver diamine fluoride. 
• Breakdown clinic set-up on last day of a school clinic.  
• Support insurance submission process by completing all data collection and insurance steps.
• Complete the sterilization process of used instruments.
• Complete all required trainings.
• Provide fluoride treatment to high-risk children.
• Complete data tracking.

Oral Health Education - 10% of time 

• Prepare and maintain materials for oral health education classes. 
• Learn and teach RSS oral health curriculum in an engaging way with appropriate information.
• Maintain a records for education, support insurance submission.
• Complete evaluation and work to improve education sessions. 

Community Outreach & School Liaison - 40% of time  

• Act as the primary liaison to assigned schools, have a working relationship with the principal, school nurse, social worker, and or community liaison.  
• Assist RSS staff in setting your assigned schools schedule for classroom education and clinics. Support insurance submission process for students at your assigned schools. 
• Build trusting relationships with school staff to communicate the needs of their insured and uninsured students and gain their support to work with families.  
• Produce treatment lists and other reports as requested. 
• Attend school events to build relationships with students and families.  
• Prepare for community-based oral education and be ready to teach and facilitate parent groups. 
• Provide referrals for services to community agencies as appropriate, as directed. 
• Be knowledgeable about community resources appropriate to the needs of patients and families. 

Teamwork - 5% of time  

• Exhibit excellent working relations with patients, visitors, and staff, effectively communicating RSS’s mission. 
• Be a team player and consider the children we serve first in all your actions. 
• Attend staff meetings, training and other meetings as requested.
• Other relevant job duties as needed. 

Minimum Qualifications  

• Relationships and experience in the African American community in the Twin Cities.
• High School Diploma or its equivalent. 
• Experience working in a multicultural setting. 
• Basic computer skills. 
• Have a driver’s license and be willing to travel across Twin Cities (mileage reimbursement offered). 
• Ability to initiate and maintain positive working relationships with staff and other organizations. 
• Understands the community served - community connectedness. 
• Good communication skills, such as listening well, and using language appropriately. 
• Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement and motivation to patients. 
• Required vaccinations completed. These will need to be completed and verified annually. 
• Enrollment in a dental workforce career training program (or entry into training within 18 months of beginning employment).

Preferred Qualifications  

• Existing relationships with community service organizations and schools. 
• Experience working in healthcare setting. 
• Community Health Worker Certificate. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work performed by the employees assigned to this job. All employees must comply with Company policy and applicable laws. The responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified may vary within each department and/or location.