Community Health Worker

Position Status

Full

Site

Northeast Pennsylvania

NHC Position Type

Outreach Coordinator

Position Summary

The Community Health Specialist for the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA will report to the Healthy Communities Coordinator in partnership with the Y’s Wellness Director and will take responsibility for multiple Healthy Communities programs and projects related to chronic disease prevention, increased access to healthy nutrition for youth, individuals and families, and promoting safe and healthy walking and bicycling in the community.   The Community Health Specialist will also play an instrumental role in re-invigorating the County’s multi-organization LiveWell Luzerne community health coalition as part of recovery from the COVID-10 pandemic.

The Community Health Specialist will accomplish this by providing free materials. outreach and education directly to the local population, helping everyone, and especially those in at-risk communities, to live healthier lives.  The Y provides these programs at Y sites and at sites throughout the community that are accessible to a low-income population.

Y Healthy Communities programming is specifically designed to target low-income, underserved and vulnerable populations through marketing/promotion, free provision of services, and partnering with other organizations to provide services to their low-income clients and students including residents of the City of Wilkes-Barre Housing Authority, senior housing apartments and the Wilkes-Barre Area School District.

 

Characteristics of an Ideal Candidate

The NHC member serving as a Healthy Communities Specialist for the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA should be: 

  • Able to make presentations to small and large groups of people, including both elementary school age youth, parents of infants and toddlers, and senior community members
  • Able to work with community organization partners with a variety of expertise
  • Detail oriented and able to manage a complex schedule
  • ·Desire to certify in multiple evidence-based chronic disease programs which include pre-requisite training
  • ·Experienced or interested in nutrition education
  • Flexible and able to adapt programs to multiple audiences at different sites and in different conditions
  • Able to walk at least 2 miles, ride a bicycle and a scooter, demonstrate simple stretches, and carry and set up materials for events and trainings. 

Qualifications for this service member:

  • Prior healthcare experience, either through work experience or life experience
  • Ability to understand and learn healthcare terminology
  • Ability to develop a good understand of healthcare practices, including COVID-19 guidelines and best practices
  • Ability to find resources for patients requiring assistance with public services and agencies
  • Must have good computer skills

Knowledge Required for the Position

  • Traits required of Service Member:
  • Good organizational skills to handle multiple priorities while remaining professional and calm
  • Ability to work with many diverse people, including children and teenagers
  • Effective telephone skills
  • Strong level of confidentiality due to the sensitivity of materials and information handled
  • Ability to make suggestions on workflow or system efficiency/effectiveness
  • Ability to work independently and be self-directed and flexible

Skills and/or experience that will help a member succeed in this position:

  • Written and oral fluency in English
  • Good communication skills, such as listening well, and using language appropriately.
  • Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement, and motivation to individuals
  • Must be able to drive
  •  

Additional requirements to fulfill the position:

  • While performing the duties of this job, the service member is regularly required to site for prolonged periods of time, talk, and hear.  The service member is occasionally required to stand, walk, and use hands.  Service member may occasionally life and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Work is performed in a busy medical office/hospital environment with many interruptions.  Very active, fast paced position with short deadlines.
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