Community Health Worker

Job Overview: The IRC Turlock is establishing a Refugee Health Empowerment Program to improve the health and mental health outcomes in California’s Central Valley, including Stanislaus, Merced and San Joaquin County. While the Community Health Worker (CHW) may work with other individuals and families, they will primarily focus on the Afghan community and thus must be bilingual in either Dari or Pashto. The CHW will provide outreach, education and systems navigation to individuals and families. The CHW is expected to work with a wide variety of medical and mental health systems advocating for people, liaising with providers, and providing education to individual, families and communities.

Major Responsibilities:

·Provide education to individuals, families and communities so they can access the full range of healthcare services and supports available to them and understand and manage their or their family members’ health and/or mental health condition(s) or symptom(s)

·Help conduct an initial intake and assessment to fully understand and prioritize client needs and prepare an appropriate plan of action with clearly identified goals and activities

·Work with IRC teams and external providers to ensure appropriate and holistic care coordination

·Help identify and overcome barriers to people receiving needed health and mental health care

·Advocate with systems as needed to ensure access to needed health and mental health care

·Help clients make medical and mental health appointments and provide education so they can make needed appointments in the future

·Connect clients to resources and supports to strengthen their stability and further their wellbeing

·Liaise between health and mental health providers and individuals and families

·Document activities through case noting and data entry

·Other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

Language Skills:

·Fluency in English and either Dari or Pashto.

Work Experience:

·Minimum of one year of experience helping people navigate medical and/or social service systems within the United States.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

·Strong understanding of US health and social service system;

·Ability to assess needs, prioritize and develop action plans;

·Demonstrated ability to provide education to individuals, families, and communities;

·Demonstrated ability to advocate and liaise with health and social service systems;

·Excellent problem-solving skills combined with the proven ability to multi-task, prioritize duties and manage time effectively;

·Commitment to client-centered and strengths-based work with individuals, families; and communities;

·Strong ability to effectively build internal and external relationships;

·Strong communication skills (written and verbal);

·Familiarity with issues facing refugee and immigrant communities as they relate to health and mental health care;

·Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively across lines of difference with respect to race, gender, ethnicity, language, religion and age;

·Ability to follow strict guidelines of client confidentiality and safeguarding;

·Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) and familiarity with data-tracking systems;

Education:

·Undergraduate degree preferred, with a focus on medical or social services. Degrees from other countries accepted. Relevant work experience can be a substitute for an undergraduate degree.

Working Environment:

·Standard, professional office environment combined with community-based work. At times this position may also be remote depending on the COVID-19 context.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRCrequirescandidateswhoareselectedforinterviewtofurnishproofofvaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for this position.

CommitmenttoDiversityandInclusivity:IRCiscommittedtobuildingadiverseorganizationanda climate of inclusivity.We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

EqualOpportunityEmployer:  We  are  an  equal  opportunity  employer  and  value  diversity  at  our company.  We  do  not  discriminate  on  the  basis  of  race,  religion,  color,  national  origin,  sex,  gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. The IRC and IRC employees must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces  policies  on  Beneficiary  Protection  from  Exploitation  and  Abuse,  Child  Safeguarding,  Anti  Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.