COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER (CHRONIC CARE INITIATIVE) - 40007829

Durham County Government employs approximately 1,900 employees that work towards providing needed services throughout the community. With a wide array of services, Durham County Government is at the heart of a rapidly growing and diverse area offering residents, employees and visitors exciting opportunities to live, work, grow and play. For more information about Durham County Government, visit www.dconc.gov.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The purpose of this job is to serve as a bridge between the client, family, community, provider, and the health and human services system. Serves Durham communities and residents with chronic health conditions or at risk of developing Type II diabetes. This position’s roles and activities are tailored to meet the unique needs of their communities and depend on factors such as whether they work in the health care or social services sectors to suppport clients needs.

This position works under close to general supervision according to set procedures but determines how or when to complete tasks independently based on the guidance provided.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

• Serves as a front-line public health staff member.
• Works individually and with groups of residents to connect them with health information and services; assists in the navigation of these services.
• Promotes wellness and self-management by providing culturally appropriate health information and education to participants and providers.
• Conducts ongoing patient assessments in the home environment.
• Recruit new participants and enroll them into the program by seeking out and attending community events during the week and weekend.
• Documents all client encounters in the electronic health system.
• Participates in community events to increase knowledge base of available community resources and programs.
• Assists participants in gathering needed documents and completing forms for community resource enrollment.
• Educates residents on the importance of having a medical home and helps with access to care to medical home.
• Assists in provider-patient care relationship building by attending appointments with clients or helping them process their treatment plans and talk with their medical providers.
• Identifies and connects residents with community sites that offer educational programming and internet access for health resources.
• Helps residents understand how to use resources to find health coverage or apply for assistance when uninsured.
• Assists other staff/community members in community capacity building and mobilization activities.
• Participates in continuing education and other training on specialized topics pertaining to position responsibilities.
• Attends and participates in staff, committee, departmental and other project meetings.
• Facilitate a yearlong diabetes prevention program cohort often in the evening to support participants work schedule.
• Support team members and clients as needed that work with the Formerly Incarcerated Transition (FIT) program.
• Performs related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge and experience working with groups such as community organizations, neighborhood associations, and professional or student associations. 
• General knowledge of Microsoft Office and Outlook programs.
• Familiarity with community resources.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to work well independently and with a team. 
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of neighborhood and community values.
• Ability to work with diverse communities.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Requires High School graduation or GED equivalent supplemented by two (2) years of experience in social work, health services, counseling, or related work; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Requires demonstrated possession of knowledge, skills, and abilities as stated above through at least one year of experience in performing similar tasks in a hospital, clinic, nursing home, medical corps, or other social or rehabilitation services.

Will need to be a Lifestyle Change Coach or have the ability to complete the required training within 6 months of hire date to support facilitation of NC-Diabetes Prevention Program. Flexible work schedule needed to support possible evening classes for this program.

PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual, fluent in English and Spanish is preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Performs light to medium work that involves walking or standing virtually all of the time and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or skill, adeptness, and speed in the use of the fingers, hands or limbs on repetitive operation of mechanical or electronic offices or shop machines or tools within moderate tolerances or limits of accuracy.

UNAVOIDABLE HAZARDS (WORK ENVIRONMENT):

• Involves routine and frequent exposure to:
  • Bright/dim light; Dusts and pollen.
  • Extreme heat and/or cold; Wet or humid conditions.
  • Extreme noise levels, Animals/wildlife.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have a valid North Carolina drivier's license with an acceptable driving record.

To further the mission of the Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) to partner with our community to advance health equity, protect the environment, and promote health and wellness for all, DCoDPH is implementing the employee vaccination and tuberculosis screening policies. All DCoDPH employees are considered healthcare personnel (HCP) working in a health care setting with the potential for exposure to patients and/or infectious materials and, therefore, are required to comply and provide documented proof of the following:

• Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) vaccination/immunity 
• Varicella-Zoster Virus (Chicken Pox) vaccination/immunity 
• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
• Tuberculosis (TB) baseline screening within the last twelve (12) months prior to employment
• Hepatitis B vaccination/immunity – only required for DCoDPH employees with potential Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) exposures.

Identified DCoDPH HCP with potential Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) exposure have an additional requirement for the Hepatitis B vaccination. Required vaccination, serological testing to determine immunity, and baseline tuberculosis screening are available for all Public Health employees who elect to become DCoDPH patients upon request and at no cost.

Proof of vaccination and tuberculosis screening must be provided to Human Resources within seven (7) business days prior to the date of employment.

Durham County Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer