Community Health Specialist

Job Summary

Performs a variety of activities and tasks in implementing Public Health activities and interventions including the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) Grant, the Women Infants and Children’s (WIC) program, Disease Prevention and Control (DP&C), and Emergency Preparedness (EP). This position provides community engagement, capacity-building, outreach, networking and health promotion, and prevention education to various diverse communities, faith-based entities, non-profit organizations, hard to reach populations, and others. Promotes and maintains the health of the community and collaborates with internal and external partners. Works collaboratively to inform and develop sustained public health strategies and projects that address community health needs. Ensures health education and communication services are culturally informed. Longer term work activities focus on advancing population-based interventions aimed at addressing the root cause and social determinants of health known to negatively impact health outcomes.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Uses bilingual or multilingual language skills to serve participants and the public as needed. 
• Works the hours and/or shifts assigned and begins and ends work on time.  
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned. Includes but is not limited to emergency preparedness and response, including fulfilling roles in an incident command structure as needed.

POSITION SPECIFIC DUTIES  

• Incumbents assigned to EP are responsible for:
• Implements activities and interventions of the Emergency Preparedness grant in Scott County. 
• Works with the EP Coordinator and other assigned staff.
• Promotes emergency preparedness and conducts activities on building resiliency with the most vulnerable populations.
• Assists in recruiting and engaging new volunteers.
• Engaging in preparedness activities that address the access and functional needs of the whole community as well as cultural, socioeconomic, and demographic factors.
• Assists with reviewing, revising, or developing plans to address health equity in preparedness, response, and recovery.
• Gathers and analyzes data and identifies trends. 
• Conducts social marketing, outreach, and surveillance related to EP-related priorities. 
• Develops and provides emergency preparedness messages to the community. 
• Maintains related records, documentation, and prepares reports. 
• Incumbents assigned to SHIP are responsible for:
• Implements activities and interventions of the SHIP grant in Scott County; works with SHIP Coordinator, other assigned staff, and contractors as part of the SHIP project team.
•  Promotes and maintains the health of the community related to the SHIP grant:  gathers and analyzes data, identifies trends; conducts social marketing, outreach and surveillance related to SHIP-related priorities; Implements SHIP programs in schools, work sites, communities, and other healthcare organizations; ensures quality of programs; develops and provides health education to the community; maintains related records, documentation, and prepares reports.
•  Supports the Community Health Improvement Committee; leads and participates in SHIP Action Teams and related group meetings and activities; works directly with community partners to address the SHIP activities in the areas of work sites, communities, schools, and healthcare organizations.
•  Collaborates with organizations to address the SHIP grant and SHIP-related community health concerns; advocates for, develops, supports and/or implements policy, systems and environmental changes in the community to develop internal and external partnerships in the community; and provides technical assistance to community partners.
•  Collaborates with community partners to write grants and leverage additional dollars for SHIP-related projects.
•  Participates on the Emergency Preparedness Team and assists with other programs and grants of a like or similar nature as the needs of service dictate.
• Incumbents assigned to WIC are responsible for: 
• Obtains information from applicants to the WIC Program to determine eligibility and accurately enters information collected onto WIC computer forms or directly into the computer. 
• Performs health and nutrition screening tests according to standard procedures. 
• Provides nutrition education to all participants, teaches participants how they can change their diets to be healthier, and assists participants in goal setting to achieve a positive change in food habits. 
• Determines appropriate food package for participants based on assessed needs. 
• Develops and implements client-centered services for participants.  
• Assesses the participants' health and nutrition status based on nutrition screening, assigns WIC risk codes and priority, and records test results, risk codes, and priority into the computer system. 
• Monitors and re-evaluates participants' health and nutritional status on an ongoing basis. Issues regular and special food packages, pre-approved special formula, and extra food for exclusively breastfeeding women. 
• Explains WIC program policies, procedures, rights, and responsibilities to WIC participants. 
• Assists with clerical duties such as, but not limited to filing, data entry, and appointment scheduling; records in participant’s chart; handles phone calls; assists clinic coordinator; and provides basic clinic information over the phone.  
• Incumbents assigned to Disease Prevention & Control are responsible for: 
• Under direct supervision, assists in preparing for and offering direct individual and community services, client advocacy, and provides both general and specific health interventions in the community, clinic, and home settings. 
• Provides on-going clinic support including obtaining records from the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC), ordering supplies and vaccines, making appointments, and answering phone calls and messages. 
• Provides support to Perinatal Hep B program including sending letters and data entry into electronic health record.   
• Supports Refugee Health through setting appointments for assessments, mailing letters and forms, and requesting health records. 
• Conducts direct observed therapy for the treatment of tuberculosis and conducts follow up with blood lead cases including phone contact, parent letters, and referrals. 
• Ensures that the necessary treatment and control procedures are followed by patients to prevent any further spread of disease. 
• Submits and records case information in a disease reporting system to ensure accurate collection of data for evaluation, operational, and statistical analysis.
• Incumbents assigned to Child & Teen Checkups are responsible for:
• Under the general direction of the Public Health Supervisor, provide program outreach activities that increases community awareness and promote utilization of C&TC screening services through telephone calls, letters, presentations, and face-to-face outreach activities.
• Assists with planning, developing, and implementing work methods and procedures to support effective delivery of program activities in the office and at clinic and community sites.
• Assists with program communications with departmental staff, community partners, schools and the public.
• Educates clients on program benefits and facilitates access to health services and other community resources. 
• Designs, develops, and utilizes visual teaching for C&TC outreach at community sites. 
• Provides parents with guidance, education, information, and resources that help them support their children through the different stages of development.
• Performs difficult and responsible administrative duties including the following: preparing documents, organizing and maintaining case records, and providing the public with requested information and referrals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Requires equivalency of a Bachelor's Degree in Public Health, Community Planning, Public Policy, Nutrition, or related field and two years of experience with public health, health promotion or coaching, community-based planning and organizing, or nutrition. Experience with emergency preparedness planning and response, community and systems interventions, or health promotion strategies and evaluation is preferred. One must possess a valid driver's license and a reliable means of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

With latitude for independent judgment, the employee works under the auspices of the grant or program guidelines and under general supervision of the Public Health Supervisor. Work direction shall also be provided by the Community Planner/Grant Coordinator. Work is performed according to established procedures and verbal or written instructions. Work is reviewed by the supervisor for accuracy and adherence to established procedures.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND ABILITIES

• Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.
• Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.
• Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.
• Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.
• Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.
• Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.
• Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.
• Knowledge –Knowledge of personal computers, data management systems, and programs. 
• Knowledge of community resources and organizations, and related agencies. 
• Knowledge of maternal, child, adolescent, and adult nutrition. 
• Knowledge of nutrition as it pertains to health and disease. 
• Knowledge of principles and skills of dietary recall, evaluation, and Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA). 
• Knowledge of safety protocols for performing hemoglobin blood tests. 
• Knowledge in the area of breast feeding.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of human behavior, cultural diversities, and language barriers to ensure equitable service delivery.
• Abilities – Ability to use and operate portable electronic equipment and emergency call systems. 
• Ability to organize and prioritize work in an efficient manner, manage time effectively, and maintain accurate and systematic records. 
• Ability to assist with data collection, evaluation, assessment, and analysis; identification of relevant trends; and assist with making recommendations based on findings. 
• Ability to coordinate and implement community and systems interventions, especially related to obesity and tobacco initiatives. 
• Ability to influence policy, systems, and environmental change working with community partners including work sites, communities, schools, and healthcare organizations. 
• Ability to communicate effectively in English. 
• Ability to interview, teach, and counsel participants and members of the community. 
• Ability to use a growth grid, pregnancy wheel, standard weight table, and pregnancy weight gain grids. 
• Ability to assess a participant's nutritional status and implement a nutrition care plan. 
• Ability to appropriately respond to conflicts or problems related to nutrition issues. 
• Ability to research, write, produce, and distribute newsletters and other communication materials including fact sheets, reports, articles, and pamphlet. 
• Ability to convene and facilitate groups. 
• Ability to train and educate others. 
• Ability to developing relationships that enhance the community capacity for response. 
• Ability to work independently accomplishing objectives with limited supervision, within established budgets, amid occasional politically/emotionally charged environments. 
• Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion. 
• Ability to use MS Office software, standard office, and computer equipment for the performance of essential duties. 
• Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires inside work, occurring both in an office and in the field in community-based settings. The position is multi-task oriented and includes periods of stress when balancing the needs/demands of multiple stakeholders. Incumbent may need to respond to Public Health emergencies including unknown or emerging infectious diseases and health threats. Evening and weekend hours may be required for accomplishing this work.  

Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job, including lifting and weighing infants. In the event of an emergency, physical requirements will increase and be more demanding in all areas listed.

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection for this position will be based on a minimum qualifications screening and rating of training and experience. Top candidates will be forwarded to hiring manager or supervisor for consideration for interview and/or additional assessments. Final selection will include a background check and approval by the County Board.