Bilingual Community Health Worker – Health Research Support

Rhode Island Parent Information Network
Location: Warwick
Start Date: Immediately
Full Time, Permanent
Bilingual English Spanish

Job Summary:

The Community Health Worker – Health Research Support (CHW), will engage with family-serving organizations and families with children who are considered high-need pediatric populations, defined as children with one or more intense or chronic conditions, with a focus on underserved and vulnerable communities. This full-time position will work with community partners, such as the Rhode Island Free Clinic, Clinica Esperanza, Progreso Latino, Blackstone Valley Community Health Center, Open Door Health, Providence Community Health Centers, and Thundermist Health Center. The CHW will utilize data from clinical teams to capture testing and vaccination hesitancy, in order to inform the development/identification of educational content and use of technology approaches to improve the support of COVID-19 vaccination and diagnostic testing. The CHW will facilitate focus groups and interviews and document input from the families and caregivers of children and youth with special health c
 are needs.    

Essential Functions:

Recruit families and caregivers of children with complex needs for facilitated focus groups related to COVID-19 testing and vaccination.
Collaborate with other family-serving organizations, community health teams, and internal & external partners connected with individuals at high risk of contracting COVID-19.
Facilitate in-person and virtual outreach, workshops, training, and informational sessions, for families, consumers, professionals, and community partners as needed to complete the project work. 
Identify vaccination trends relative to COVID-19 positivity rates in high-risk pediatric populations and determine barriers to COVID-19 testing and community hesitancy to COVID-19 vaccination.
Implement community-based approaches to increase testing and vaccination rates for the high-risk pediatric population.
Identify and/or develop educational resources to improve health literacy for high-risk children and their caregivers.
Provide support, information, and resources to families through phone, face-to-face, and virtual contact to enhance their ability to effectively access COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.
Provide referrals and care-coordination to RIPIN programs and/or other community organizations as needed to assist families and individuals with successfully completing goals; collaborate with RIPIN staff to avoid duplication of services.
Represent RIPIN on local, state, and federal committees as needed.
Maintain an updated database of all contacts, encounters and record committee activities accurately.
Actively participate as effective team member in all agency meetings and debriefings. Make constructive use of individual and peer supervision.
Contribute to the overall success and quality of the agency by working constructively and collaboratively with other staff members ensuring all individuals are treated respectfully and that diversity in backgrounds and life experiences is supported and valued throughout the agency.
Accept other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of Rhode Island’s human service systems supporting families of children with disabilities and/or special healthcare needs
High level of interpersonal skills and excellent communication skills to interact on a professional level with our diverse stakeholders, including parents and professionals
Ability to convey complex information in a clear and understandable manner
Organizational skills to include managing multiple activities
Ability to effectively work independently and in collaboration with multiple staff and programs
Proficiency in computer and internet navigation (online documents, search engine, government websites), Proficient in Microsoft products, including Microsoft Office Suite, as well as computer skills to maintain and update program related materials, reports and database
Ability to effectively carry out the mission and philosophy of RIPIN and a willingness to work cooperatively and collaboratively with multiple constituents
Ability to present to small and large audiences that include consumers, stakeholders, and professionals on RIPIN program operations, mission, and focus

Education and Experience:

High school diploma/GED required; Associates Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Education, or related field strongly preferred
Community Health Workers certification preferred; non-certified incumbents are expected to earn certification within 18 months of hire date
Personal experience navigating healthcare systems and services for self or family member highly desired
Experience working with and outreaching to diverse populations
Experience organizing and/or delivering outreach/public awareness campaigns, workshops, and community information sessions.
Fluency (speaking, reading, and writing) in English and Spanish required

Physical Demands:

Regularly required to talk or hear
Regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms
Regularly required to climb stairs, reach, stretch, stand and bend
Required to have the ability to lift and/or moves up to 25 pounds
Required to remain at their station for prolonged periods of time
Working Conditions/ Work Environment:

Primary work location is a climate-controlled indoor office environment; however, may also be required to conduct visits in private homes, climbing up to three flights of stairs, and community locations
Flexibility for travel related to job requirements
Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends as needed
Provide own reliable transportation with proof of valid driver’s license and RI requirements of auto insurance
Will be required to follow site’s COVID testing and vaccination requirements
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 note: As of January 4, 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.

How to Apply

Please visit www.ripin.org/careers to apply for this position. 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.