Community Health Educator

Position Status

Open

Site

Florida

NHC Position Type

Health Education

Position Summary

The member will engage in community networking, educational presentations, and coordination of HIV/Hepatitis C (Hep C) testing opportunities at substance use recovery facilities, post-secondary education campuses, homeless shelters, and local recreational venues in order to maximize contact with the LGBTQIA+ community as well as individuals with substance use issues. Topics will include the opioid epidemic, link between substance use and HIV/Hep C, safe sex practices, PrEP education, HIV/AIDS services provided by CAN Community Health, HIV/AIDS prevalence in Northeast Florida and Hep C prevalence in northeast Florida. The member will distribute condoms and promote safe sexual practices that protect against the transmission of communicable disease at Lutheran Services Florida. Member will train both staff and clients at external organizations to promote HIV/Hep C detection and care for clients in recovery. They will link individuals from recovery focused facilities to care and treatment for HIV and Hepatitis C, and serve as point of contact on behalf of CAN for substance use and recovery facilities.

Additionally, they will assist clients of CAN Community Health, as indicated through the administering of a substance use screening tool, with accessing recovery treatment services by linking them to the appropriate facilities in the community. The tool used will be the SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) assessment. The member will conduct one on one and group education on substance misuse, addiction, and recovery for HIV/AIDS/Hep C positive clients receiving care through CAN Community Health. Finally, the position will involve developing educational materials on the link between substance use and HIV/Hep C and collecting and tracking data on the services provided within this program.

This position will be instrumental in combatting the structural oppression that men who have sex with men (MSM), LGBTQIA+ groups, HIV positive individuals, and intravenous drugs users face related to access to services. Many of the clients of CAN are members of the African American Community as well as LGBTQIA+ community. Our clients face discrimination for their gender identity, sexual orientation, and race which influences their ability to trust in the healthcare system. The AmeriCorps member’s role will be integral to addressing this disparity in access to healthcare.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

  • Engaging in outreach and promoting health education topics and healthcare services
  • Collaborating with pre-existing patients and partner organizations
  • Identifying hosts and sponsors in various communities to form new partnerships
  • Creating healthcare and wellness educational materials
  • Facilitating and conducting healthcare and wellness trainings and classes
  • Providing health counseling and coaching
  • Keeping and organizing documentation and records
  • Developing community relationships

Characteristics of an Ideal Candidate

  • Speaks language(s) spoken by patient populations
  • Compassionate
  • Open-minded
  • Non-judgmental
  • Self-starter
  • Multi-tasker; ability to balance
  • Good verbal and written communication skills
  • Progressively responsible education or experience in health and human services related field
  • Proficient computer skills and data entry skills
  • Passion for community outreach or helping others to improve their health a plus
  • Proactive, flexible, eager to learn, comfortable having difficult discussions, experience in or drive to serve in the sexual health field, and ability to manage own time.

 

Knowledge Required for the Position

  • Knowledge of AmeriCorps/Health Corps member requirements
  • Basic knowledge of HIV, HCV, and STIs
  • 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

Supervision

  • 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.

Review

  • The service activities are reviewed for accuracy through spot checks, through complaints from customers, and through observation of the Member at service.
  • The Member independently plans and carries out the projects and selects the approaches and methods to be used in solving problems.

Guidelines

  • Written and oral guides provide specific instructions for doing service.
  • Most instructions are easily memorized and require little interpretation.
  • Detailed guidelines exist, including regulations and directives, handbooks, precedents, industry standards and files of previous projects.

Complexity

  • Member has little or no choice about how to perform the service position.
  • Member must follow company protocols and policy to ensure everything is done right.

Special Considerations

** This position is eligible for a Commitment Incentive! To learn more about this incentive, Apply Today!**

  • Unusual physical demands involving climbing, lifting, stooping, and reaching, etc.
  • Unusual service hours, involving evenings, weekends, or long shifts
  • Special dress code
  • Personal vehicle required
  • Special safety regulations or precautions that must be observed
  • Language proficiency* (Complete Q16 if language proficiency is required)
  • Health screening or service required
  • Criminal history check requirements beyond those required by National Health Corps

Criminal History Check Requirements Beyond NHC Standard Checks

Background checks notifies host site of any violations in the last 7 years. Supervisor reviews all candidates and consider them for employment. With felony convictions, CAN Community Health’s 3rd party investigation firm asks us if they want to send out a rejection letter. Offenses including theft, assault/battery and anything to do with children are heavily scrutinized.