Health Educator jobs in Santa Cruz, CA

Description

Salud Para La Gente (SPLG) provides high quality, comprehensive and cost-effective healthcare to underserved low-income communities in the Monterey Bay area, including Santa Cruz County and Monterey County. SPLG began in Watsonville in 1978 as a storefront “free clinic,” and with a growing need for health services, in 1992 it became a Federally Qualified Community Health Center (FQHC).  

Today SPLG is a primary health care network with 14 clinic sites and over 400 employees. We provide high quality services to patients of all ages. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package and a collaborative culture that values excellence, achievement, innovation and compassion.   

We are seeking an experienced Community Health Outreach Educator who is a Certified Enrollment Counselor for Covered California to work together with the Community Health Supervisor to implement outreach programs to the general public in the south Santa Cruz County and north Monterey County areas.

The ideal candidate will embrace our mission, vision and values, and possess the ability to lead change and make sound recommendations on complex management and administrative matters. The selected candidate will possess a high degree of personal credibility, honesty and integrity and a commitment to collaboration and transparency.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Assist with planning, development, and implementation of community outreach activities, health education and insurance enrollment and community referrals. Assist in identifying creative strategies for reaching the priority population.
2. Assist patients/community in applying for health insurance (Medi-Cal, Covered California, etc.) and linking them to other community services and resources (Pharmacy Assistance Program, WLC, Cal Fresh, etc.). Maintain knowledge of current health plans available through Covered California. Follow up with patients regarding community referral status and/ or scheduling; Trouble shoot and re-route community referrals when barriers to access arise.
3. Conduct health education and promotion activities and presentations within the community, utilizing approved content and curricula.
4. Conduct community outreach, providing information about Salud and community services, to priority populations (e.g. agricultural workers, PVUSD students and parents, etc.) through multiple modes (tabling, presentation at farms, etc).
5. Coordinate programs to increase community’s access to health information and services. Facilitate events, meetings or lessons. 
6. Assist in staffing department front desk, as needed. Answer questions with information requested. Schedule appointments as indicated and answer incoming calls. Contact patients to confirm appointment.
7. Collaborate with other local agencies who work closely with the priority populations. Share information and educational materials.
8. Collect and maintain accurate statistics of outreach efforts/contacts, health education and enrollment activities. Input data into tracking logs/software applications in a timely manner.
9. Participate in meetings and training opportunities.
10. Respond to and complete Intergy Tasks in a timely manner. Ensure appointment calendar is accurate and up-to-date. 
11. May assist in the research and preparation of grant proposals, reports, budgets, evaluation instruments, and other communications.
12. Builds positive relationships with other staff, providers, and departments to maximize accessibility of care to all patients.
13. Greets every patient with verbal greeting, eye contact and a smile.
14. Adheres to the SPLG Mission, Vision, and Values, Standards of Conduct and HIPAA principles. 
15. Performs other duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Knowledge of: the needs of the Latino community, including farmworkers, IV drug users, migrant agricultural workers, etc.; the interventions necessary to reach this community in a culturally appropriate and sensitive educational forum; social service programs in this community.

Ability to: promote, develop, and implement a variety of information and education programs; write and speak effectively, including group presentations to target populations; maintain absolute confidentiality; communicate effectively and respectfully with people from different racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds and lifestyles, demonstrating a knowledge of and sensitivity to their needs, especially to the unique needs which Latinos, women, gay/bisexual men, sex workers, IV drug users, and chemically dependent persons; maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with agency staff, clients, other community agencies, and the public.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma, or equivalent;
• Certified Enrollment Counselor, or must be able to obtain certification within 120 days of employment.
• Must be bilingual and biliterate in Spanish/English; bicultural preferred;
• 2 year work experience with social service systems/programs, preferably with high risk, needy or underserved populations in health education and social service.
• Knowledge of health and social service systems and programs in the community;
• Requires own transportation, valid CA driver's license and automobile insurance.
• Proficient in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and the skill level to navigate various on-line programs.
• Must be able to work independently and be able to set priorities, meet timelines and established outcomes.
• Preferred a Certified Community Health Worker, or the ability to obtain a certification within 24 months of employment
• Must be flexible in work hours, with willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends or other non 8 to 5 work schedules.

SALARY & BENEFITS

Salary: $27.61 - $33.56 per hour.

Benefits include: CA Sick Leave and Holiday Pay.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk and stand; talk or hear, both in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel or operate standard office equipment; reach with hands and arms; and lift up to 25 pounds.

Salud is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Salud is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact the Salud Human Resources Department, [831-728-8250, and HRDept@splg.org].