Health Educator-Albany Park/Social Determinants of Health

Nutrition Education – Members will be trained to conduct one-on-one health education to promote healthy eating and increased physical activity for patients with diabetes/pre diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and/or triglycerides and weight issues. The AmeriCorps member will devote his/her time to providing this education to support the clinicians who are focused on clinical responsibilities and are unable to provide comprehensive education to patients.  Group sessions and/or 1:1 counseling will include assessing patients’ current nutritional intake and practices, barriers to change, suggestions and referrals to local resources that may help address these barriers, and tracking each patient’s progress. All of this work will complement that of the medical providers and will provide continuity of care through the integrated Electronic Medical Record (EMR). It is anticipated that the AmeriCorps member’s service will result in most patients who engage with him/her demonstrating positive behavior change related to diet, increased physical activity and related healthy behaviors. The AmeriCorps Member will be encouraged to support or create community classes that address healthy eating and exercise. 

Health Coaching: While 1:1 health education is an essential part of helping patients make positive changes to their health, members will be trained in advanced motivational interviewing techniques to help patients set goals and make changes to behaviors. After self-management goals have been established by the provider, a patient can be referred to a member for a deeper conversation around setting and achieving health goals. Clinical staff does not have time to conduct 1:1 health goal setting.  All of this work will complement that of the medical providers and will provide continuity of care through the integrated Electronic Medical Record (EMR).

Social Determinants of Health: Acknowledging that many health outcomes are influenced by more than just clinical factors, our member will be committed to identifying and addressing social determinants of health both on the individual patient level and the community level within the organization.

Nutrition and Health Education (85%)
Addressing structural oppression through patient needs assessments (15%)

Conduct 1:1 nutrition counseling:
•    Set up procedures with providers to get referrals
•    Coordinate, schedule, and conduct sessions
•    Record notes from patient sessions into EMR
Facilitate group nutrition and/or cooking classes:
•    Schedule classes
•    Develop and implement patient recruitment plan 
•    Conduct pre/post evaluations
•    Record notes from patient sessions into EMR
•    Examples of classes include: reading labels, portions, shopping on a tight budget
Conduct goal setting for patients identified by providers:
•    Use motivational interviewing and self-management goal setting to help patients change behavior that impact chronic conditions
•    Coordinate, schedule, and conduct sessions
•    Record notes from patient sessions into EMR
Conduct Patient Needs Assessments
•    Use motivational interviewing to ask questions around social determinants of health of a patient
•    Provide appropriate resources and referrals to meet identified need

Participate in one committee
•    Provide active participation in one of the following: Queer Health Task Force, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Size Inclusive Task Force, EOPC, etc.
 

• Self-starter
• Team-oriented
• Flexible
• Able to build strong relationships
• Able to communicate effectively with individuals or diverse backgrounds and identities

• Knowledge of AmeriCorps/Health Corps member requirements
• Skill with Microsoft Office or other software for a variety of data processing operations involving a range of problem solving, record keeping, correspondence, and service tracking options.

• Member uses initiative in carrying out recurring assignments following set procedures, independently
• The supervisor assigns service activities, advises on changes in procedures, and is available for assistance when required
• The supervisor assigns service activities in terms of project objectives and basic priorities and is available for consultation in resolving controversial issues.

• The member independently plans and carries out the projects and selects the approaches and methods to be used in solving problems
• Completed projects are reviewed very generally to determine that objectives have been met and are in compliance with policies and regulations.

• Written and oral guides provide specific instructions for doing service
• Guidelines are generally applicable, but the member independently makes adaptations in dealing with problems and unusual situations
• Member must use considerable judgment in adapting current or developing new guidance

• The facts or conditions of the service position are clear cut, predictable, and apply directly to the assignment