Community Health Worker

Job Title: Community Health Worker Location: Birmingham, AL Reports To: Education Supervisor FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Salary:$20-$22 SUMMARY:

The Community Health Worker is uniquely qualified as health worker who will educate patients and other members of the community through health center services, community-based organizations and/or schools by conducting outreach and curriculum-based health education workshops for the community on sexuality and reproductive health and overall wellbeing. This position attends community collaboratives to raise awareness of PPSE services and build relationships with community partners. Under indirect supervision, this position works closely with medical providers and health center management at the Birmingham Health Center to assess client needs in accordance with established protocols, provide necessary information and appropriate referrals, as well as providing public health educational programming. This position is based in the Birmingham Health Center.

QUALIFICTION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

1. Strong commitment to the mission of Planned Parenthood Southeast.
2. Open and positive attitude about human sexuality, gender equality and human rights.
3. Commitment to and strong interest in helping people regardless of gender, sexual orientation, nationality, age, race, ethnicity, immigration or socio-economic status.
4. Ability to follow all program protocols, curriculum and standards.
5. Availability to attend meetings, trainings, and to facilitate workshops.
6. Must have strong knowledge of community resources and understanding of the needs of the community, schools and community partners they serve.
7. Ability to work flexible hours, including evening and weekend hours as needed.
8. Ability to manage time appropriately to complete goals by established deadlines.
9. Must have good communication skills with an aptitude for public speaking.
10. Ability to facilitate presentations to diverse groups.
11. Ability to provide outreach and networking in their communities and willing to travel.
12. Ability to deal with and speak in public about sensitive topics including sexual health, STIs, FDA approved birth control methods, and other health topics.
13. Ability and willingness to travel within AL/Birmingham and surrounding areas.
14. Reliable means of transportation for onsite and off-site work.
15. If using a personal vehicle to drive for work purposes, a valid AL driver license and current auto insurance in compliance with the minimum requirements of AL vehicle code are required.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

1. High school diploma, GED or 3+ years’ experience in small/large group facilitation (helpful if related to sexual health/family planning, housing, substance use disorder, etc.)
2. Minimum 1 year of direct work experience as a substance use disorder specialist, housing specialist, family planning/sexual health risk reduction counselor, and/or navigation specialist, etc. required.
3. Experience working one-on-one with patients, clients, and/or consumers preferred.
4. Experience in outreach (tabling at events or crowd canvassing) throughout the community in areas such as schools, community centers, churches, etc. preferred.
5. Must have direct knowledge of the local community and strong interest in the community and its people.
6. Must supply documentation of completed negative TB screen within 12 months prior to start

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provides orientation to patients regarding health education and/or community services, in support of health issues, per protocol
2. Provides education in an individual or group setting to patients, per medical provider’s request and consistent with established health care standards, on topics related to control and prevention of chronic or infectious diseases, behavioral health and/or perinatal health conditions.
3. Under direction of medical provider, provide health promotion and coaching that includes goal setting and creating action plans as part of a health care team to address disease prevention and management.
4. Provide education in sexuality and reproductive health and substance abuse prevention to the community following the curriculum and guides designed for the education department.
5. With supervisor approval, identify and participate in community collaboratives, community outreach, events, and activities to promote sexual health, wellbeing, and PPSE’s clinical services.
6. Facilitate education classes and/or do outreach and engagement in services in designated area, schools and or community partner locations.
7. Maintain resource guide at all times to provide the community with information/services available to them that may or may not be related to health and provides warm hand-offs to ensure effective linkages to services.
8. Maintain and foster positive relationships with community agencies and leaders through outreach and networking.
9. Accuracy and attention to detail when completing administrative tasks.
10. Keep current of reproductive health and sexuality education and substance abuse issues and attend any PPSE trainings and professional development workshops identified by supervisor.
11. Advocate for reproductive health in various settings, as needed

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Education Supervisor.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: The physical requirements of this position are identified below. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. This position requires continuous sitting, standing, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, pushing, pulling, reaching, fingering, and grasping. Occasional bending, stooping, kneeling, driving, and lifting or carrying items may be required. The position requires lifting up to 10 pounds frequently and up to 25 pounds periodically. Lifting over 25 pounds is not required.