Community Health Worker at University of New Mexico – Albuquerque, New Mexico

Requisition ID: req33211

Working Title:
Community Health Worker

Position Grade:
09

Position Summary:
The Division of General Internal Medicine - Geriatrics is seeking a part-timecandidate who is detail-oriented and results-driven to join the New MexicoICOPE program as a Community Health Worker. ICOPE is a World HealthOrganization (WHO) program implemented in China, India, Mexico, France, andother countries, but not in the United States. New Mexico has the most rapidlygrowing percentage of adults aged 65 and over, with 26.4 percent of thepopulation as Seniors in 2030. New Mexico also ranks in the top three among theUS states in poverty rates among this age group. New Mexico (NM) will be thefirst US state to implement ICOPE. The program takes a community-based approachto building person-centered, long-term care systems with a coordinated model ofcare. Every six months, the program assesses vision, hearing, mobility,cognition, psychological well-being, and malnutrition risk in each enrolledmember aged 65 years or older to identify any decline in these intrinsiccapacities and to provide early interventions that contribute to healthy aging.Key factors for healthy aging include social care support, caregiver support,and urinary incontinence. Seniors will be offered resources and servicesavailable in New Mexico. We are looking to implement the program with a target~42,000 seniors across the state, with close to half of them outside theAlbuquerque area.
The ICOPEprogram requires close communication and engagement with the community for thesuccess of its implementation, as the program is tailored to put seniors'perspectives first and provide them with personalized care plans for healthyaging. One key role for this engagement will be achieved with a CommunityHealth Worker to extend the reach of the program to our extensive rural areasin New Mexico.

The idealcandidate for the Community Health Worker position will have experience workingwith the community of New Mexicans. The candidate will also have a goodunderstanding of the challenges and opportunities to reach out to communityservices, strong interpersonal and communication skills, and the ability to work effectively with a variety of university andcommunity stakeholders. The stakeholders might include health care providers,funding agencies, university and federal researchers, and patients.

Specific responsibilities and duties:

• Community Engagement & Outreach
• Build trust and maintain relationships with older adults,families, and local organizations in rural communities.
• Conduct outreach activities to raise awareness aboutthe ICOPE program and available services.
• Organize or participate in community events, health fairs,and local meetings to engage and educate residents

Health Screening & Assessment Support

• Assist with basic health screenings alignedwith ICOPE's domains (mobility, cognition, vision, hearing,nutrition, psychological well-being).
• Help identify older adults at risk or needing morecomprehensive care or referrals.
• Care Navigation, Promotion & Coordination
• Help seniors navigate ICOPE resourcesfrom healthcare and social service systems.
• Support ICOPE activitiesfor local nurses, primary care providers, and social workers.
• Provide culturally sensitive information on healthy aging,chronic disease management, fall prevention, nutrition, and other relevanttopics.
• Distribute ICOPE educationaland promotional materials and facilitate small group discussions with localseniors.

Data Collection & Reporting

• Provide regular reports to supervisors and contribute toevaluations of program effectiveness.

Collaboration & Training

• Participate in ongoing training related to ICOPE, community health, and aging-related issues.
• Collaborate with local health departments, tribal healthorganizations, community centers, and faith-based groups.

See the Position Description for additional information.

Conditions of Employment:

• Possession of a valid New Mexico driver's license is a requirement for this job.
• Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check.
• Fingerprinting, and subsequent clearance, may be required for this position depending on assignment.
• May be required to obtain a Community Support Worker (CSW) certification within six months of hire.
• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.
• Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check.

Campus:
Health Sciences Center (HSC) - Albuquerque, NM

Benefits Eligble:
This is not a benefits eligible position.

Department:
IM Hospital Medicine (852H)

Employment Type:
Staff

Staff Type:
On-Call
Status:
Non-Exempt

Pay:
Hourly: $18.09 - $23.58

Benefits Eligible:
This is not a benefits eligible position.

ERB Statement:
As a condition of employment, eligible employees working greater than .25 FTE as determined by the New Mexico Education Retirement Act must make mandatory retirement contributions. For more information, review the Benefits Eligibility at a Glance grid.

Background Check Required:
No
For Best Consideration Date:
5/19/2025

Application Instructions:
Only applications submitted throughthe official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this jobadvertisement on a 3rd party site, pleasevisit UNMJobs to submit an application.
Please include a cover letter and resume.Minimum Qualifications: High school diploma or GED; at least 1 year of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to effectively adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to effectively connect with community services in New Mexico to promote ICOPE.
• Experience working in rural areas of New Mexico.
• Ability to communicate effectively with New Mexican seniors.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and understanding of rural New Mexican communities' unique values, beliefs, and practices, including tribal and Hispanic populations.
• Communicate in seniors' preferred language (English/Spanish) when possible.