Community Health Worker I - Covid-19 Research Project - Part-Time

What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas’ resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That’s where you come in.
We are looking for a Part-Time/ Casual Community Health Worker to join the Center for Health Promotion and Prevention Research as part of the UTHealth School of Public Health in Houston, TX, 77030. In this position, you will partner with Harris County and provide COVID-19 testing education and referrals.
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Once you join us you won't want to leave. It’s because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you’d expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.

• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue!
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees’ wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as...

• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Plus many more!
• Resources for child and elder care
• Free financial and legal counseling

Position Summary
Under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, Co-Investigators, Program Manager and Community Health Worker (CHW) Supervisor, the CHW I will effectively provide community members with resources about COVID-19 testing in accordance with research study protocol. The CHW will work directly in designated priority area communities in the greater Houston area and throughout Harris County. This is a part-time, casual position funded by a National Institutes for Health Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics for Underserved Populations grant.
A valid Texas driver’s license and working vehicle are required for this position. Candidate must be bilingual (Spanish speaking).
Position Key Accountabilities

• Helps community members identify COVID-19 resources in their area and assist with linkages to testing opportunities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Thoroughly documents community member encounter activities and follow-up functions of resource distribution and referrals to address community member needs.
• Contacts study participants to schedule and/or reschedule research study visits in accordance with the study timeline.
• Maintains a comprehensive understanding of community needs, resources, services and programs available to advocate for community member needs and requests.
• Maintains confidentiality per HIPAA guidelines in regard to patient information. Adheres to all policies, procedures and standards within the organization.
• Effectively utilizes assigned equipment and technology. Employs computer skills to maintain online data tracking forms and surveys, including RedCap.
• Implements research study protocol as designed including recruiting community members for participation, consenting participants, providing education and/or resources, scheduling follow-up visits, and thoroughly documenting all interactions using study-specific data collection tools.
• Establishes and maintains rapport with investigators, research staff and community members.
• Continuously expands knowledge for professional growth and development to meet requirements to maintain State certification and skills competency that supports project goals.

Certification/Skills

• Must have ability to perform complex and diverse administrative duties that involve application of procedures and demonstrate appropriate judgment within the CHW scope of work.
• Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) – Certified CHW
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred

Preferred

• Skilled with technology, computers, and online data tracking forms and surveys.
• Team work skills particularly important to this job include communication and interpersonal skills that foster effective coordination and support of other CHWs.

Minimum Education

• High school diploma or GED.

Minimum Experience

• One (1) year of relevant work experience in health, social worker or education. May substitute required experience with equivalent years of education beyond the minimum education requirement.

Physical Requirements: Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount constantly to move objects. Security Sensitive: This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code

• 51.215 Residency Requirement: Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.