Community Health Worker
Accepting applications until August 30th 2024
Salary: $21-$26/hr starting wage + $1 bilingual pay differential
Job Type: Full time, 35-40 hrs/week
Progressive benefits include:
Paid self-care time each week
6 floating holidays per year
2 weeks of flexible PTO, 2 scheduled weeks of PTO after Pride Season and during the last week of the year
Sick leave
Flexible schedule
401k matching
Health, vision, dental
Monthly Wellness Stipend
****This position will report to the Program Director.
An up-to-date COVID-19 VACCINE IS REQUIRED FOR THIS ROLE If an offer is made, a COVID-19 Vaccine series must be completed by first day of employment. Medical and/or Religious exemptions will be assessed if needed by the applicant.
Background
The Equi Institute is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to enrich the health of the Trans, Queer, Gender Diverse and Intersex communities through trauma-informed care, culturally affirming services, and social justice advocacy.
Equi’s Community Health Program is designed to connect unhoused or insecurely housed LGBTQAI2S+ folks - including the intersections of BIPOC, disability, elders, and people who use drugs - with traditional health workers to facilitate better connection with health care, peer support, wraparound services, harm reduction, basic first aid, wound care, and COVID-19 prevention. Our goal is to bring social services and mental and physical health care to the people who need it most.
There is a strong social justice component to all positions within The Equi Institute, requiring critical thinking through the lens of anti-racism and intersections with poverty. Knowing the core principles of anti-racism and grounding those principles in everyday work are required job skills and core values.
Our commitment to equity and social justice happens through advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote equity and opportunity for communities that have been historically harmed through colonization, racism, colorism, transphobia, homophobia, sexism, fatphobia, ableism, classism, and all other oppressive frameworks – in our workplace and our communities.
We are interested in individuals who are representative of the diverse populations we serve and are dedicated to serving participants with quality and compassion. We prioritize hiring and training folks who have lived experience of houselessness, and other identities/experiences relevant to the communities we serve (LGBTQAI2S+, BIPoC, neurodivergent, disabled).
Community Health Workers work with staff at Equi to provide coordinated, strengths-based housing support services, consistent with the agency’s mission, to members of the LGBTQAI2S+ community. Pursuant to the agency’s mission, the position will work heavily with LGBTQAI2S+ individuals experiencing housing instability and houseless-ness.
Responsibilities
Using trauma-informed care and anti-oppressive frameworks
Assure that participants, staff, volunteers and community partners are treated with respect and dignity regardless of race, ethnic background, gender or socioeconomic background
Think through the lens of racial equity and its intersections with poverty. Use the core principles of anti-racism and ground all daily tasks in these principles.
Incorporate The Equi Institute’s commitment to social justice by understanding how racism, sexism, classism and other oppressions intersect and are embedded in institutions. Seek opportunities for continued learning about racial, gender and class equity
Relationship Building, Coaching, & Social Support
Passion for and dedication to supporting and working alongside community members
Have experience in developing trusted relationships with individuals who are more likely to experience poor health outcomes due to lack of income, healthcare, and/or housing
Extend the trusting relationship to be inclusive of community partners, while building and maintaining positive working relationships with the participants, referral agency partners, and supervisors
Provide one-on-one coaching, education, health goal mapping, Peer, and social support. Assist participant in building social networks
Use a person-centered approach to aid participant in mobilizing their inner capacities and environmental resources to improve social functioning, ensure implementation and/or adjustment of the service plan and set goals (i.e. transportation, reminders, welfare eligibility)
Conduct home visits when appropriate
Education
Share culturally appropriate and accessible health education information
Support chronic disease self-management
Build individual and community capacity and empowerment
Increase health literacy
Support stress management
Participate in development of statewide trainings for new CHWs
Care Coordination & Systems Navigation
Coordinate with involved systems of care including:
Navigation and access to services to community members who are seeking COVID-19, STI, or hMPXV testing, vaccinations and education
Navigation and access to insurance/OHP, primary care, gender affirming care, mental healthcare, recovery services, housing services, and food pantries
Assist with referrals
Contribute to team care plans and planning
Assist with transitions between providers and phases of care
Connect people to community and/or social service resources
Facilitate community members’ attendance at medical and other appointments
As appropriate, act as a cultural translator between the health and human service (system(s) and participants)
Assessment, Evaluation, & Research
Participate in ongoing individual assessments of the participant for meeting needs and health goals
Document all interactions, assessments and care provided in the project database (training provided) and other software as required no later than 24 hours after participant contact and forward information as pertinent in a timely manner
Participate in evaluating CHW services and programs
Conduct community assessments and evaluations in alignment with current research efforts
Outreach & Direct Service
Engage individuals and communities in the field
Provide follow-up with individuals and groups
Conduct presentations at agencies and community events to spread the word about the work
Provide basic services and use screening tools
Provide deescalation and mental health first aid when required
Help people meet basic needs
Advocacy, Organizing & Cultural Mediation
Engage and execute community outreach for unhoused or insecurely housed LGBTQAI2S+, BIPOC, disabled, elderly, and people who use drugs
Advocate for the needs and perspectives of individuals and communities
Assist community members in efforts with advocacy and organizing and culturally responsive mediation
Assist and engage in data collection and evaluation for monthly/quarterly reporting
Participate in Equi Institute staff meetings, retreats, and board meetings as needed
Punctual, reliable, self-driven, strong initiative and willing to learn
Strong organizational skills
Basic skills in Microsoft Word and Excel and use of the Internet
Qualifications:
Proficient oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Strong organizational, record keeping, and time management skills.
Commitment to equity, social justice, and the mission of The Equi Institute.
Time and project management
Maintains composure and positivity during challenging situations
Ability to balance mission driven work with self and community care
Proficient with technology including word processing, powerpoint, spreadsheets, Zoom/Google Meets
Ability to work remotely and to travel to meetings and events as necessary
Strong understanding and practice of social care ethics and boundaries
Strong familiarity and alignment with anti-oppression frameworks, anti-racism, gender justice, disability justice
Ability to work independently and take initiative, while maintaining solid communication with and accountability to the Program Manager
Ability to practice flexibility to adapt to changing tasks, work environments, or schedules as the program evolves
Ability to practice flexibility to adapt to changing tasks, work environments, or schedules as the program evolves
Demonstrated good judgment and comfort in making independent decisions, while also understanding limitations and knowing when to ask for additional support
Familiarity with local mental and behavioral health resources, social service programs and systems for the unhoused
Abilities:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Language Ability: Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of participants, staff, and community partners.
Math Ability: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have at least basic knowledge of project management software, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Slack, case management software, and contact management systems.
Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, use hands, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, and reach with hands and arms.
Education/Experience:
High school diploma or general education degree (GED); and two to four years related
experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Bilingual preferred
Community Health Worker Certification preferred
1-2 years experience in grassroots community organizing, campaigns, or direct service work
1-2 years experience working in healthcare and/or mental health care
Experience working in a social services or community-based organization setting.
Knowledge of trauma-informed care, anti-oppressive practices, and person-centered approaches.
Familiarity with HMIS and data collection processes preferred.
Experience working with complex mental health needs
Resident of Oregon and strong ties to county in which you are applying
Certificates and Licenses
Valid driver’s license
Community Health Worker and/or Peer Wellness Specialist Certification (if you are not currently certified, we will pay for you to become certified)
Work Schedule and Location
The work in this position is performed both remotely and in-person. You will be provided with a computer for your work. It is the employee’s responsibility to maintain a workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. We require masking for all in-person services.
Necessary Special Requirements
Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
Employees are required to adhere to OSHA guidelines, including but not limited to completing required training on time.
Applications will be reviewed as received and interviews scheduled on an ongoing basis.
