Description

Position: Latino Senior Community Health Worker (CHW)

Program: Elder Multicultural Access and Support Services (EMASS) 

Classification: Non-Exempt, Full-Time

Salary Range:  $19 to $21 per hour

Summary:

Funded by the County of San Diego-Behavioral Health Services for its Mental Health Services Act Prevention Early Intervention Enhancement Program, the UPAC EMASS programs provide multicultural outreach, mental health education, and support to older adults from multicultural communities. 

The Latino LEMASS CHWs provides health, wellness education, social and recreational activities to Spanish speaking seniors 60 years old and over San Diego County. The Latino CHW will plan and implement outreach, engagement, and education for prevention and early intervention of mental health services in culturally and ethnically appropriate approaches and strategies to reach out to unserved Latino seniors in places where they congregate e.g., senior apartments, senior center, Latino restaurants, and shopping centers/markets. The goals and objectives of EMASS Program are: Increase level of connectedness, social support, and self-sufficiency among seniors. Increase involvement in self-care by senior. Reduce isolation while increasing socialization among seniors. Increase timely access to care of services navigated by seniors. Reduce disparities in care received by seniors. Decrease feelings of anger, stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms seniors. Reduce inappropriate utilization of health care services such as hospital emergency room and/or specialty services. Reduce and prevent institutionalization of seniors in residential or long-term care facilities. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Assist fellow Community Health Workers in promoting EMASS throughout San Diego county. 

· Provide education on mental health and wellness utilizing program created curriculum and/or evidence-based curriculum such as Good Mental Health is Ageless curriculum.

· Will help reach out the goal of serving more than 300 Latino speaking and 450 refugee older adults. 

· Provide education on cultural issues related to health and wellness.

· Provide referrals to additional services in the community.

· Provide language interpretation in Spanish language.

· Provided written language translation from English to Spanish as needed.

· Provide transportation coordination to participants for medical appointments and upon consultation to other services in the community to decrease isolation. 

· Must be able to provide timely and accurate reports of all outreach and education services provided.

· Must be willing to provide health and wellness education to multicultural groups.

· Participate in monthly planning activities with the EMASS Team.

· May be assigned by Program Manager to attend various County and other meetings as requested. 

· Participate in the outreach of Latino refugee communities via community meetings, health fairs and other presented opportunities. 

· Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications:

· 1 years’ minimum experience conducting outreach in respective older adult community.

· Bilingual/bicultural in Spanish.

· Knowledge of San Diego mental health system as a consumer, family member or advocate

· High school diploma or equivalent

· Knowledge of theory and practice of psychotherapy, as well as principles and practice of community mental health.

· Commitment to cultural competence, and willing to work with a diverse group of community members and clients from various ethnic and refugee communities.

· Knowledge and understanding of the cultural issues that impact older adults from immigrant community.

· Ability to prepare written reports and records of services rendered.

· Must be comfortable in developing relationships with other Older Adult providers and healthcare providers.

· Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritize and successfully bring them to fruition.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

· Microsoft Suite Trained.

· Excellent interpersonal skills, including tact, diplomacy, patience and professionalism in dealing with individuals from a variety of backgrounds.

· Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding sensitive or proprietary information or materials.

· Knowledge and experience in working with Asian/Pacific Islander and other ethnic consumers, communities and staff. 

· Employee must have a valid driver’s license and comprehensive automobile insurance coverage, as required by law.

 Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Spends approximately 70% of work time sitting and meeting with others or working at a desk and/or computer. Spends approximately 30% of work time standing or walking within the work area or outside the office at meetings and events, also bends, twists, stoops and reaches. Ability to communicate in writing and verbally. Regularly required to sit and talk or hear. Frequently is required to use hands to touch, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. Occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 25 pounds. Working conditions are normal for an office environment, event venues and a commercial kitchen. The noise level is usually moderate.