Community Health Outreach Educator

POSITION SUMMARY

The Community Health Outreach Educator (CHOE) bridges the gap between marginalized communities, particularly Black, Latinx and LGBTQIA2S+ populations, and the healthcare system. This role facilitates outreach and education to promote health equity and accessibility. The CHOE's responsibilities include community outreach, education, make appointments to PPGNY's Health Centers, participating in meetings/consortiums to provide education to community members and professionals and program support, with a commitment to fostering inclusivity, reducing health disparities, and building trust within underserved communities. Additionally, the CHOE offers resources to professionals in health and human services agencies on best practices to engage and provide services to LGBTQ+ population. Support the Program Manager with building and maintaining partnerships with community leaders, community-based organizations, and local businesses as well as basic program administration as needed. Maintain PPGNY's LGBTQ+ affirming referral directory and work with community engagement staff to ensure upkeep of community resource directory. Works collaboratively with other Planned Parenthood of Greater New York departments, such as external affairs and organizing, on other community-based engagement and equity initiatives. This is a full-time position located in Schenectady and travel is required across the seven counties of Fulton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Outreach and Education (40%):

• Actively engage with local LGBTQ+ and Black communities to understand their diverse needs and preferences.

• Plan and execute outreach events, workshops, and activities that promote awareness, health equity, and inclusivity.

• Establish and maintain relationships with community members, organizations, and leaders to enhance access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.

• Advocate for the rights and well-being of LGBTQ+ and Black individuals, including addressing systemic barriers to care.

• Conduct outreach throughout region 2 north and provide workshops at various community venues, such as community-based organizations, food pantries, laundromats, salons, as required.

• Collaborate with community organizations and stakeholders to deepen partnerships and promote inclusivity.

• Build trust across cultural differences and reflect on personal identity with humility to foster strong relationships.

• Provide compassionate, non-judgmental care and ensure a safe environment for individuals seeking assistance.

• Stay informed about local, regional, and national services and programs that benefit marginalized communities.

Referrals and Training (45%):

• Maintain PPGNY's LGBTQ+ affirming referral directory and work with community engagement staff to ensure upkeep of community resource directory.

• Identify providers and services that would be beneficial to PPGNY clients and their family/friends and facilitate internal and external referrals as needed/requested. This includes but is not limited to behavioral health, primary care, specialist and other medical and human services as needed.

• Proactively work with internal and external partners or staff to identify LGBTQ+ clients who could benefit from navigation services, including but not limited to referrals, insurance enrollment, or additional services beyond which PPGNY can provide.

• Serve as a point person for LGBTQ+ clients, family/friends, and external partners who are seeking information, sharing feedback on services, or otherwise engaging in communication with PPGNY.

• Develop training on LGBTQ+ access to health care in collaboration with LGBTQ+ Outreach staff to provide training to external agencies and internal PPGNY staff across all departments.

Program and Administrative Support (15%):

• Complete PPGNY training on sexual and reproductive health, outreach, and facilitation skills.

• Participate in internal/external ongoing training and learning opportunities and meet all training requirements within assigned deadlines.

• Support planning, scheduling, and execution of outreach and education programs.

• Prepare materials for workshops and outreach events and ensure accurate data collection and reporting.

• Represent the department at internal and external meetings, coalitions, and community events.

• Collaborate with colleagues to promote and provide referrals to PPGNY's educational and advocacy programs.

• Maintain a working knowledge of Salesforce, and other reporting platforms for documentation and reporting.

• Complete all documentation and reports as required and within expected timelines.

Special Projects and Additional Duties:

This position requires flexibility and adaptability. In response to programmatic and grant-related needs, employees may be assigned additional responsibilities or cross-functional duties to ensure program goals, timelines, and deliverables are met.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• A demonstrated commitment to PPGNY's mission related to bodily autonomy, health equity, gender and racial justice.

• A demonstrated commitment to learning about and enhancing practices related to racial equity and its impact on healthcare systems.

• Strong relationship building and communication skills, including an ability to work and build trust across cultural differences related to race, class, age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin or ability; and to reflect on one's personal identity with humility

• Ability to provide compassionate, non-judgmental and culturally responsive care across race, class, age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, national origin or ability; and demonstrates deep sense of accountability to patient experience

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

Interpersonal

• Excellent customer service and communication skills.

• Ability to remain focused and calm in stressful situations.

• Strong boundaries when dealing with difficult or challenging clients.

• Excellent interpersonal and verbal skills.

• Ability to develop and maintain effective, professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Technical

• High degree of comfort with electronic health record.

• Able to use Excel, Notion, and Word to develop regional referral lists.

• Able to input data into databases/grant reporting systems with training.

Subject Matter Knowledge

• Knowledge of the barriers faced by LGBTQ+ people in accessing health care and other human services as well as understanding of social determinants of health.

• Understanding of concepts such as assigned gender, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation and able to clearly explain them to others.

• Knowledge of the full range of services provided by PPGNY and how clients can best access services

Work Habits/Attributes

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and independent decision-making skills

• Ability to produce reliable, high-quality work with minimal direct supervision

• Ability to appropriately handle confidential information

• Ability to work a flexible or extended schedule, including evening, weekends, and regional travel as operational demands require

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum education

Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related field is preferred.

Coursework in LGBTQ+ issues preferred.

• Minimum work experience if no college degree

Two (2) years' relevant experience providing navigation or related referral services.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Requires prolonged sitting and repetitive tasks including use of a computer. Frequent standing, walking, bending. Must be able to walk up and down stairs. Requires lifting or moving of patients/supplies/equipment. Visual acuity sufficient to perform frequent work on a computer screen and review printed reports and other materials. Requires the ability to hear and to communicate orally with others. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets, and medical equipment and will require reaching, grasping, pushing and pulling


$22 - $23 an hour

PPGNY's benefits package includes:

Generous PTO and holiday schedule

Medical, dental and vision coverage options for you and eligible dependents

FSA, HSA, Commuter pre-tax reimbursement funds

Short- and Long-Term Disability, Free Basic Life and AD&D

401(k) Retirement Plan with Safe Harbor contributions after 1 year of employment

All positions at PPGNY require:

Proof of immunization or immunity to certain communicable diseases (including influenza during the flu season and Covid-19) and testing for tuberculosis. These certifications are required by the NYC DOHMH Health Code, NYSDOH and OSHA.

Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) is a leading provider, educator, and advocate of sexual and reproductive health care in New York State. PPGNY is proud to provide a wide-range of family planning services at our brick-and-mortar health centers and mobile care units. We care for everyone regardless of their immigration status, zip code or ability to pay. PPGNY's education and outreach programs are backed by medically accurate, evidence-based information that allows people to make informed decisions about their health and future. As a voice for reproductive freedom, PPGNY supports legislation and policies that ensure all New Yorkers have access to the full range of reproductive health care and education.

At PPGNY, we provide the absolute best care to our patients and our communities through innovative health care delivery and education programming. We care for everyone who walks through our doors regardless of insurance, ability to pay or immigration status. As a leading voice for reproductive freedom, PPGNY fiercely advocates for policies to ensure that all New Yorkers will have access to the full range of reproductive health care services and information.

PPGNY is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe we are most impactful when people with a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and identities come together with common purpose. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.