Community Health Centers of the Central Coast Hiring for Health Education Associate at Templeton, CA Full Time

The Health Educator (HE), under the direction of the Health Education Coordinator and administrative and clinical supervision of the Health Center Manager and Nursing Administration, is responsible for overall health communication activity, and teaching people about behaviors that promote wellness at Community Health Centers (CHC). The HE is also responsible for the learning experiences that provide individuals served by CHC the opportunity to make appropriate health decisions. The HE will use appropriate strategies and methods to facilitate health promotion and disease prevention and management. The HE must have a thorough understanding of the diverse population served by CHC, and follow the Health Education Code of Ethics.

It is the primary purpose of CHCCC to provide the highest quality of total care possible to the patient population it serves. Such a level of quality depends ultimately on the staff’s desire and ability to work together, individually, and as a team. The employee is expected to be professional, punctual, maintain regular attendance, cooperative, motivated, and organized at all times.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Additional duties may be assigned with or without prior notice.

Takes a lead role in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of primary prevention and risk reduction for the organization’s patients and the community.

Assists the Health Education Coordinator in the design and implementation of health education policies and procedures and training clinical staff.

Assesses patient health literacy/learning ability; adapts program to meet those needs and be able to develop rapport with clients in a short-term counseling environment. Documents health literacy in Electronic Health Record.

Provides general health education on topics including, but not limited to HIV/AIDS, asthma, back care, cardiac risk, child disease and accident prevention, diabetes, family planning, gastrointestinal disorders, pregnancy testing, weight management, dental care and smoking cessation through help-line.

Sets up health fairs in locations throughout the community.

Teaches classes as needed in evenings, some weekends.

Takes blood pressures and vitals for patients.

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served (infants, pediatrics, adolescents, adults or geriatrics).

Guides patients with chronic diseases through the development of self-management goals. Documents these goals in the appropriate Chronic Care Management template in the Electronic Health Record.

Organizes the community resources for the designated clinic area into a binder.

Develops relationships with community partners for the benefit of the patients.

Demonstrates adherence to and observes all safety policies and procedures, inclusive of infection control rules and regulations.

Maintains and adheres to confidentiality, and privileged communications (patient, employee, and corporation).

Participates in patient population management as it relates to clinical services while taking into account cultural diversity and local resources.

Makes referrals when indicated to RN, RD, CDE, Behavioral Health, or PCP.

Develops communication skills with all members of the team both internal and external, by first being a patient advocate and using the available resources to facilitate care. Coordinate with the Care Team (PCP. RN, RD, CDE, HE, LCSW, Director of Nursing and/or Medical Director) to ensure appropriate services are arranged for the patient in order for them to meet their goals.

Understand the role in the quality improvement process, which may include meetings, data collection and charge auditing. Use Evidence Based Practice guidelines to assist with disease management.

Demonstrates knowledge of domestic violence, child and dependent abuse protocols.

Demonstrates culturally sensitivity and competence with patients.

Maintains and adheres to HIPAA, employee confidentiality, and privileged communications (patient, employee, and corporation).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

A master’s degree in a discipline such as public health education, community health education, school health education, or health promotion. Bachelor’s degree may be in another major.

Minimum 5 years of experience as a health educator preferred.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, policy and procedure manuals. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquires or complaints. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of patients or employees of organization. Bilingual English/Spanish, with the ability to read, write and speak is preferred.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide into all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply sound judgment in understanding to carry out instructions in written or oral form. Ability to make appropriate job decisions following standard office policies and past precedents. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Experience with word processing, spreadsheets, email, and keyboarding required. Google Suite, Microsoft Office skills required. EHR experience required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) desirable but not required. Possession of current, valid, unrestricted California Driver’s License (Class C) required. Current CPR (BLS) card required. If employee does not have a current CPR card at time of hire, then employee has 60 days to become certified.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Required to pass a criminal history background check and drug screen upon hire. Annual health examination; annual Tuberculosis skin test clearance or chest x-ray; proof of immunity to MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B; proof of Tdap vaccine; during current flu season, must provide proof of influenza vaccine or a signed declination form. If declined, a flu mask is mandatory during flu season. Health screening requirements are subject to change based on CDC recommendations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is moderate (i.e. clinic setting). Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.

Must be willing to have a flexible work schedule that may include evenings/weekends, and travel as needed.