Rhode Island Parent Information Network
Part-time
High School Diploma or GED
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. RIPIN’s peer professionals now help more than 45,000 Rhode Islanders every year navigate healthcare, schools, and other support systems.
Job Summary:
The Community Health Worker (CHW) will work collaboratively with RIPIN and the RI Department of Health (RIDOH) to conduct outreach activities to support the evaluation of the impacts of CHWs through collecting stories, tracking encounters/data, reporting qualitative and quantitative examples of CHWs in action. The CHW will identify the unique needs of RI communities to help address health disparities related to race, income, geographic location, or other sociodemographic characteristics.
Essential Functions:
- Cultivate and sustain community relationships to promote better health and education outcomes, increase health equity, and address social determinants of health.
- Provide training, education, peer support, system navigation, and networking opportunities that build collaborative leadership skills for families, community members, and professionals; provide technical assistance, education, and training to families, family leaders, and professionals.
- Partner with RIPIN and RIDOH colleagues and other stakeholders to develop an engaging outreach program that educates consumers and enables them to advocate for their needs.
- Assist in collecting and analyzing compliance data regarding timely access to services and community supports.
- Develop and foster connections with partner organizations connected to Health Equity Zones, in Providence and Kent Counties.
- Develop and conduct events and outreach activities with the assistance of community stakeholders.
- Provide culturally competent outreach to various target groups, including populations impacted by COVID 19, Latin X BIPOC and communities with high prevalence of chronic disease.
- Assist in establishing and implementing an outreach evaluation system to pursue continuous outreach quality improvement.
- Document and articulate the parent/consumer perspective to inform statewide policy and practices.
- Participate in diverse community outreach events and support groups to provide up-to-date information to families and professionals about the impact of COVID 19 and community resiliency support services available.
- Maintain timely, accurate records, documentation, and reports as required.
- Assist in data, reporting providing both qualitative and quantitative examples of CHWs in Action.
- Actively participate and complete training and professional development activities.
- 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 community members
- Ability to promote and advocate for person and family-centered, culturally sensitive care
- Knowledgeable of the Rhode Island health care environment and resources
- Demonstrated knowledge of successful interviewing techniques, data collections tools to capture qualitative and quantitative data, and track encounters 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
Education and Experience:
- High school diploma/GED required, Associates Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Education, Health, or related field preferred.
- Preferred minimum of two years’ experience supporting families and individuals with special healthcare needs, OR two years’ experience conducting outreach activities to diverse communities, OR any combination of the two.
- Community Health Workers certification preferred; non-certified incumbents are expected to earn certification within 18 months of hire date
- Previous experience in data collection methods and motivational interviewing techniques
- Personal experience navigating healthcare, special education, and/or other social support systems and services for self or family member highly desired
- Fluency (speaking, reading, writing) in English and Spanish
- 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 remote (work from home); 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.
- Must have suitable space to work remotely at home
- 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
- 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.
To Apply
See here. 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.