Rhode Island Parent Information Network
Location: Warwick
Start Date: Immediate
Full Time, Permanent
$19-21/hour
Spanish Written & Verbal Fluency
Job Summary:
The Bilingual Community Health Worker (CHW) is a peer who has experience in navigating Rhode Island’s health system for themselves, a family member or through previous employment. This CHW will work in RIPIN’s Care Management Program, which supports low income older adults or disabled Rhode Islanders who may be at high risk for nursing facility admission, hospital or institutional care, or homelessness. The CHW will be a critical part of a comprehensive team providing peer support, care coordination, resources and referrals. CHWs will engage with consumers in the home and community settings providing person centered, culturally sensitive support, and building on the values, strengths and preferences of the member. The CHW will also serve as an effective role model and mentor.
Essential Functions:
Outreach to consumers in a timely manner in accordance to program guidelines
In collaboration with the care team and consumer, assist with the development of a Care Plan to include: actions to improve the consumers’ health status, medical home barriers to care, as well as any social needs identified by the consumer
Utilizing motivational interviewing skills and culturally sensitive methods to help consumers achieve the goals of their Care Plan
Collaborate with partners to connect consumers with supports and services that will help them live safe, healthy, and independent lives in the community
Provide emotional support, serve as a role model, and guide consumers to practice positive, responsible healthy behaviors while remaining fully engaged with each consumer until goals are completed
Assist consumers as they transition to independence/case closure by engaging with consumers and providing follow up support
Maintain timely, accurate records, documentation, and reports as required
Assist in data collection, surveys, assessment and reporting as required
Actively participate and complete training and professional development activities
Assist in statewide system analysis, planning and coordination with state agencies, state and local boards, community-based organizations, and community rehabilitation programs
Accept other duties and responsibilities as assigned
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Ability to relate to consumers and to address barriers to care, health and wellness
Effectively demonstrate sensitivity to the issues facing consumers served
Possess intimate knowledge of health systems, terminology, supports, and services
Demonstrated ability and skill to work collaboratively with co-workers, consumers, families, service providers, and health plans, etc.
Ability to promote and advocate for person and family-centered, culturally sensitive care
Ability to motivate high risk consumers and serve as a peer mentor
Skilled and/or willingness to learn and initiate motivational interviewing techniques with consumers
Knowledgeable of the Rhode Island health care environment and resources
Demonstrated prior success in accessing community-based resources in Rhode Island
Problem-solving skills to facilitate empowering experiences and positive outcomes with consumers
Excellent written and oral communication skills
Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple priorities and tasks
A deep understanding of, commitment to, and ability to carry out the mission, vision, philosophy and values of RIPIN
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office/computer skills to enter data, prepare reports and correspondence
Demonstrated written and verbal fluency in Spanish required
Education and Experience:
High School diploma or GED and a combination of education and skills to effectively carry out responsibilities and assignments
Community Health Workers certification preferred; non-certified incumbents are expected to earn certification within 18 months of hire date
Personal experience navigating state and community services and programs on behalf of self or a family member
Previous experience supporting families or individuals with special care needs or disabilities or families or individuals accessing health programs and services
Previous experience in working effectively with professionals supporting individuals/ parents/families of children with special needs
Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as an effective team member
Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations
A combination of education and experience demonstrating acquisition of the skills and abilities required
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:
Primary work location is a climate-controlled indoor office environment; however, employee will also be required to conduct visits in private homes and various community locations
Must be able to provide own reliable transportation to facilitate visits to client’s home or community setting and travel between multiple provider sites
Flexibility for occasional travel related to job requirements
Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends as needed
Provide own reliable transportation with proof of RI minimum requirements of auto insurance
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
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.
This description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the employee a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations required of his/her position. As the nature of the Agency’s work changes, so too, may the essential functions of this position.
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.