Community Health Worker at County of Pottawatomie – Westmoreland, Kansas

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Pottawatomie County Assistant Health Department Director, the Community Health Worker is a benefit eligible non-exempt position under FLSA. This position provides social support and advocates for individuals and community health needs. This position is full-time, 32-40 hours per week.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (required):

1. Responsible for establishing trusting relationships with partners and their families while providing general education and information.

2. Assist in implementation of health department teams to do information sessions, and educations to schools, groups, employers, families on prevention and harm reductions strategies.

3. Increase promotional efforts of all prevention/harm reductions throughout the life span to include social media, written media, digital signage, and other avenues.

4. Prepares reports as directed by director, assistant director and for grant requirements.

5. Develop and maintain spreadsheet of many factors for grant requirements, for annual reports and commissioner’s reporting.

6. Provides assistance and information to clients/residents, and forwards health education questions to the appropriate nursing staff.

7. Arrange wrap around services for clients. Provide information for wrap around services.

8. Exhibit excellent working relations with patients, parents, and residents.

9. Attend regular staff meetings, trainings and other meetings, as requested.

10. Organize and facilitate regular meetings, trainings, and forums around drug endangered children to engage residents and agencies in collaborative problem-solving. Encourage policies to prevention and harm reduction.

11. Maintain HIPPA compliance at all times.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Provides coverage at front desk during lunch hour, absences.

2. Provide educational presentations to senior centers regarding health department activities and preventable conditions.

3. Loads and unloads supplies.

4. Maintains clients’ paperwork in an orderly manner.

5. Performs other routine administrative duties such as data entry, filing, typing correspondence and records management.

6. Be punctual for scheduled work and use time appropriately.

7. Performs other duties as deemed necessary or assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The working condition and physical requirement characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by the Incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for prolonged periods; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and climb or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work is performed in a busy office environment with many interruptions. Exposure to communicable diseases, human blood and body fluids are possible. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: High school diploma or GED is required. Associate’s Degree or higher in Business Administration or related field preferred. Medical terminology and/or background preferred.

Experience: One to three years of similar or related experience is preferred. Employee is expected to have acquired the necessary information and skills to perform the job reasonably well within one year of employment.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY:

The ability and willingness to learn about computers and a working knowledge of clerical skills is required. Basic computer skills are required, electronic medical record experience preferred. Employee must be organized and possess a strong command of the English Language. Excellent writing and oral communication skills are also required.

Employee must conform to HIPAA privacy regulation specific to the position held. The employee creates and records protected health information (PHI). The employee is only authorized to use the information for categories for work performance. Disclosures are only allowed as necessary for treatment or to other providers/business associates or as required by law. Access to PHI and information is only allowed for health care operations

PROBLEM SOLVING:

Moderate problem solving is involved in this position. This employee encounters problems concerning the data entry of incorrect information into the computer system. Communication skills are very important.

DECISION MAKING:

Limited decision-making is involved in this position. Employee must decide the most efficient method for performing general clerical duties, data entry of Health Department information and directing clients to appropriate staff.

MACHINES/EQUIPMENT USED:

Personal Computer and related software Copier Printer

Multi-line phone Facsimile Shredder Scanner

Postage Meter

SUPERVISION/ACCOUNTABILITY:

This employee works with supervision of the nursing staff, assistant health director and health director.

PERSONAL RELATIONS:

Daily contact with the general public, co-workers and supervisory personnel is expected. This employee will exercise tact, initiative and good judgement dealing with daily contacts using excellent customer service.