Community Health Specialist III - Maternal Child Health/Better Birth Outcomes

The Community Health Specialist III is a valuable member of our Prevention Services team who provides comprehensive health navigation services to expectant mothers and infants in homes, clinics and community settings. Assesses needs and provides advocacy and referrals. Participates in orientation, program development, community assessment and/or outreach and quality assurance and/or improvement.

Scheduled Hours: 37.5 hours per week

• Participate in ongoing assessment of client’s needs and develops care plans with Public Health Nurse and other health care professionals to meet identified needs.
• Develop, implement and evaluate care plan and work with clients to meet their goals.
• Confer with other members of multidisciplinary health care team, community services and organizations to develop and modify care plans for clients.
• Work closely and collaborate with assigned Public Health Nurses to effectively manage and prioritize caseloads, including timely and appropriate contact with clients and the provision of needed assessment and interventions.

• Maintain complete, accurate, timely and concise documentation of assessments, interventions, referrals and outcomes. Compiles interagency/intra-agency reports as required.
• Maintain current knowledge in maternal, infant, child and adolescent health trends and issues and apply it to practice.
• Participate in clinical case conferences, staff meetings, in-services, committees, seminars and orientation of staff and students, as assigned.
• Provide health education and support in clinic settings or community.
• Translate for Spanish-speaking clients (in clinic, home or community settings).
• Work primarily in the Better Birth Outcomes-Comprehensive program and may be assigned to work in other Maternal Child Health programs.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Problem solve and act independently in a crisis and/or a complex and unfamiliar situation.
• Organize day-to-day activities and responsibilities in a cost-effective and efficient manner.
• Become familiar with community partners and ensure referrals are implemented.
• Obtain physical measurements as needed.
• Participate in developing or improving program to meet identified needs.
• Perform psychosocial assessment of clients and/or families.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Health Education, Counseling, Social Work, Early Childhood Education or in a related health and human service field.
• One year of recent experience in providing direct services to pregnant people, families, children or community services.
• Current Illinois Clinical Social Work License if a licensed Clinical Social Worker.
• Bilingual English/Spanish (orally and written).
• Requires a valid driver’s license and use of personal vehicle.
• Maintain CPR certification.
• Requires the ability to lift up to 30 pounds (i.e., carrying scale and other supplies, handling patients, etc.)

As the largest human service provider in Lake County, we believe that services must be available without barriers. No residents are turned away due to the inability to pay. We believe in providing services in an environment of mutual respect, free of discrimination or bias. Whether assuring accessible and effective care, impacting policy, or assessing and monitoring risks, the Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center has been an essential part of the public health system in Lake County for 60 years. We are looking for passionate, qualified team members who can help make a difference in our agency and, most importantly, in our community. 

Additional information about the Lake County Health Department, our culture, and why you should join our team can be found at https://lakecountyil.attract.neogov.com/health-department.

At this time, you must live in Illinois or Wisconsin to be eligible to work at Lake County Health Department. You can find our salary grades at https://www.lakecountyil.gov/4515/Salary-Grades. For unionized positions, a list of our collective bargaining agreements can be found here: https://www.lakecountyil.gov/2686/Collective-Bargaining-Agreements.This position is represented by AFSCME Council 31

Any offer of employment is conditioned on the successful completion of a background screening, drug and alcohol testing and may include a pre-employment medical exam.

The Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.