Community Health Worker, Family Leader

RIPIN

Job Posting

Community Health Worker, Family Leader

Salary Range: $19-$21/hour

About RIPIN:

RIPIN deploys a peer model to support people with special healthcare and education needs across the whole lifespan. Founded in 1991 by a group of parents of children with special needs, RIPIN continues to be peer-led: a majority of our board and more than three-fourths of our staff are parents or caretakers of loved ones with special needs. RIPINs peer professionals now help more than 45,000 Rhode Islanders every year navigate healthcare, schools, and other support systems.

Job Summary:

The Family Leader, Community Health Worker (CHW) is a peer who has experience navigating Rhode Islands health system for themselves, a family member or through previous employment. The CHW will work collaboratively with RIPIN and the RI Department of Health (RIDOH) to identify the unique needs of Families, and specifically Maternal Child Health. The CHW will work with the Care Transformation Collaborative (CTC) and with the Doula Consultant. The CHW will help recruit family participants in various governance activities.

Essential Functions:

• Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with agencies and organizations interested in public health as it relates to Maternal Child Health
• Maintain timely and accurate records, documentation and reports as required.
• Conduct outreach within diverse communities to provide information related to health disparities, Maternal Child Health and health education
• Assist in data collection, surveys, assessment and reporting
• Accept other duties and responsibilities as assigned
• Provide insight and input in the development of policies, materials and programs to assure materials, messaging and policies are family-centered and culturally competent
• Actively participate and complete training and professional development activities
• Attend group meetings to provide information on agency services, requirements, or procedures

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office/computer skills to enter data, prepare reports and correspondence
• A deep understanding of, commitment to, and ability to carry out the mission, vision, philosophy and values of RIPIN
• Demonstrated understanding of Doula services
• Ability to relate to parents and families and to address barriers to care, health and wellness
• High level of interpersonal communication skills to interact professionally and cordially with consumers and professionals.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Knowledgeable of issues, concerns related to Maternal Child Health

Education and Experience:

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as an effective team member
• Previous experience in working effectively with professionals supporting individuals/ parents/families of children with special needs
• Community Health Workers certification preferred; non-certified incumbents are expected to earn certification within 18 months of hire date
• High School diploma or GED and a combination of education and skills to effectively carry out responsibilities and assignments
• A combination of education and experience demonstrating acquisition of the skills and abilities required
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations
• Previous experience working in the field of health and human service, family engagement, or Doula services
• Previous experience supporting families or individuals with Maternal Child Health, special care needs or disabilities or families or individuals accessing health programs and services
• Personal experience navigating state and community services and programs on behalf of self or a family member

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to climb stairs, reach, stretch, stand and bend. The employee frequently lifts and/or moves up to 25 pounds. Community Health Workers are required to climb up to three flights of stairs to conduct home and community visits.

Working Conditions/ Work Environment:

• Provide own reliable transportation with proof of RI minimum requirements of auto insurance
• Will be required to follow sites COVID testing and vaccination requirements
• Flexibility for occasional travel related to job requirements
• Primary work location is remote (work from home); however, employee will also be required to conduct visits in various community locations and report to RIDOH
• Must have suitable space to work remotely at home
• Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends as needed
• Must be able to provide own reliable transportation to facilitate visits to clients home or community setting and travel between multiple provider sites.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Please include letter of interest, resume, and salary requirements to complete your application.

RIPIN provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

Please note: As of January 10, 2022, all persons employed by RIPIN are required to have completed a full vaccination series against the COVID-19 virus or submit to weekly COVID-19 PCR testing.