JOB SUMMARY
This Community Health Worker (CHW) will serve to connect the community with the health center. This culturally and geographically connected individual will serve as a link between communities, existing community resources, and Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Centers (GLIIHC) health promotion team and clinical providers. Through education and outreach, the CHW will assist clients/patients in overcoming barriers to managing their chronic health conditions and will refer them to self-management programs when appropriate in partnership with the clinical team. This CHW position will be a clinic-based community position. Responsibilities may change with Grant Strategies.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Primary Duties:
• Along with GLIIHC staff, develop culturally relevant materials to support pre-diabetes screening testing and/or referral activities for healthcare providers and/or community partners. • Along with GLIIHC staff, develop culturally relevant materials and approaches to encourage participation and retention in chronic disease self-management programs. • Along with GLIIHC staff, develop culturally relevant materials to link available clinic resources to support prevention, detection, and control of high blood pressure.
Work with Community Outreach Coordinator and provide health screenings, blood glucose, blood pressure, and/or general clinic and programming outreach at community events and other appropriate venues.
Enter client/patient information from interactions into the database thoroughly, accurately, and completes appropriate checklists. Some outreach events may occur on weekends or extend past the normal clinic hours, flex time will accommodate these hours.
Identify community members who are at risk for developing diabetes and refer them to self-management programs or the Diabetes Prevention Program.
Refer clients who are at risk for developing diabetes and other chronic conditions to additional clinical or other supportive services within the clinic.
Accesses and records clients clinical and community resource information into the EPIC software system.
Work interdepartmentally to address barriers to support health for the client/patient.
Reviews care plan developed by clinical professionals and provides support as needed.
Acts as a liaison between GLIIHC and other agencies to accomplish programming activities.
Assist client/patients and family through individual or group conferences to understand, accept, and follow medical recommendations.
Follows GLIIHCs protocols when clients/patients need exceeds the CHWs scope of work.
Enroll patients in the Self-Management Blood Pressure program. Provide program support and education. Collect blood pressure readings and enter into the patients record.
Support and work with clients with smoking cessation efforts, provide education support and supplies to patients who wish to cease using commercial tobacco.
Provide education to the community on health and self-management for managing their chronic disease, i.e., diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer, in an individual or group setting.
Help to coordinate and facilitate the Diabetes Prevention Program and the What Can I Eat Program.
Refer clients directly to GLIIHC resources, community resources, and other agencies to meet the clients/patients identified needs.
Refer clients/patients to GLIIHC culturally specific programs and other tribal resources within the community.
Participation in seasonal weekly or more often Native Wellness Garden events, garden care, and maintenance related to Strategy 1 of the Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country (GHWIC) grant.
Help to plan and coordinate the weekly Work Out Low Fat Elders (WOLFE) program, including food preparation and service, health screenings, and assistance with participant needs/activities.
Attend regular Health Promotions team & GHWIC Strategy-related meetings, attend weekly/daily clinical team huddles, and attend GLIIHCs monthly all-staff meetings.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
Report directly to the Public Health Advisor.
OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED
QUALIFICATIONS
Must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Possess or complete Community Health Worker/Health Coach and/or other applicable training within 6 months of employment.
Trained or completion of training in Epic Software within 6 months of employment.
Have reliable and insured transportation.
Must have a valid Wisconsin Drivers License.
EDUCATION AND/or EXPERIENCE
Associates degree or higher education in an associated health care field preferred.
Completed training as a Community Health Worker preferred.
Experience within health care or public health settings preferred.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
CPRAED and First Aid Trained and Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist possess or complete within 6 months of hire.
Possess or complete ServSafe Food Handler training within 6 months of employment.
OTHER SIGNIFICANT FACTORS
The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands to manipulate objects, tools, or controls, reach with hands and arms, and talk and hear.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
Work is performed both outdoors and in an office environment utilizing various office equipment, including but not limited to a computer, copy machine, fax machine, and multi-line phone.
Ability to communicate effectively over the telephone by computer and in person.
Ability to perform well in a fast-paced work environment.
Some locations where work will be performed will be off-site, and you will be required to bring materials and supplies and have transportation to these locations.
This is a general outline of the essential functions of this position and shall not be construed as an all-inclusive description of all work requirements and responsibilities. The employee may be required to perform other job-related duties as requested by the designated work leaders.
All requirements are subject to change over time.
All positions at the Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center have the responsibility to carry out functions to maintain inspection and survey readiness, participate in Quality Improvement initiatives, as well as assist in and/or provide education for health promotion and disease prevention.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
GLIIHC supports a safe, healthy, and drug-free work environment through criminal and caregiver background checks and pre-employment drug testing.
GLIIHC maintains a smoke-free environment.
The Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.
Equal Opportunity employer
Veteran Disabled. American Indian and Veteran Preference employer