Community Health Worker/Promotora

Job Number: 432

Location: Frontier

Supervises: N

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Division: MH

Salary:  $18.42 per hour.  Sign on bonus may be available.

Shift: M-F 8am - 5pm; may require a flexible work schedule; Assigned work hours may change as the needs of the agency and clients change

Driving required: Y

Travel required: Y

Settings: office, field

POSITION SUMMARY/JOB PURPOSE:

The Community Health Worker (CHW)/Promotora will work directly with individuals who reside in Rural Border communities who are at risk or use substances and help facilitate increased linkage and retention in substance use, mental health, and medical services for Texas residents.  This position will be required to obtain Texas Department of State Health Services CHW certification within 6 months from hire date. 

This position works independently, under limited supervision, reporting major activities through periodic meetings.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, OTHER QUALIFICATIONS:

Education Required:  High School Diploma or GED. Bachelor's degree in behavioral health field from accredited college or university or LCDC certification preferred.

Experience Required:  At least 1 year experience working in behavioral health field or working with individuals in the community preferred.  At least 2 years of sobriety is required if in recovery from substance use disorder.

Registration, Certification, Licensure or other Qualifications Required:  

• Must maintain a valid Texas Driver's license, auto liability insurance and a driving record acceptable to PermiaCare's insurance requirements.
• Required to pass criminal history and background checks as well as pre-employment drug screen.
• Must obtain Texas Department of State Health Services Community Health Worker certification within 6 months of hire.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide services and activities with individuals in a respectful, non-threatening, non- judgmental, and confidential manner.
• Provide direct support services to clients as directed by supervisor including helping patients navigate PermiaCare and other systems within the community, use evidence-based models to enhance the delivery of support services, transport individuals, assist with understanding and communicating with medical personnel, etc. 
• Provide indirect support services to clients as directed by supervisor. 
• Provide supervisor with time availability schedule as requested.
• Complete required documentation within 24 hours of service delivery. 
• Provide individual services to consumers with severe and persistent substance abuse and mental illness (if applicable.)
• Increase opportunities for substance users, including opioid users, to reduce harms related to substance use.
• Increase retention in substance use and mental health services. 
• Assist individuals with addressing their medical needs. 
• Assist individuals who desire change to build a foundation for their recovery.
• Knowledgeable and competent in discussing HIV, HCV, and other communicable diseases associated.
• Knowledgeable and competent in discussing opioid overdose and be able to demonstrate ability to train individuals to use overdose reversal medications and harm reduction materials with substance use and be able to demonstrate ability to discuss sexuality openly and comfortably.
• Meet unit performance measures or targets.
• Maintain assigned caseload of individuals with substance use disorder.
• Coordinate services to designated caseload.
• Enter accurate and appropriate documentation of services within timeframe required.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive records and treatment information, client files and protected health information in compliance with HIPAA, laws, rules and regulations, and established procedures.
• Maintain regular and reliable physical on-site attendance. Regular attendance, dependability, and promptness are required for the scheduled work day 100% of the time, to ensure consistency and completeness of program's processes.
• Comply with the Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation policy and reporting requirements.
• Adhere to the Code of Conduct and Standards of Behavior policy requirements.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with individuals served and their families, supervisors, co-workers and visitors by demonstrating cooperative, courteous and respectful behavior at all times.
• Communicate regularly with supervisor.
• Open and process mail/email in a timely manner.
• Answer phone, collect phone messages and respond to requests timely and accurately.
• Maintain safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules and regulations.
• Perform all work functions and interactions using a trauma informed approach.
• Display professionalism when representing PermiaCare and the program in the community.
• Maintain compliance with legal requirements and company policies and procedures.
• Maintain valid and current driver's license, auto insurance, acceptable driving record and reliable transportation at all times. Driving may be required for this position.
• Complete all training as assigned prior to due date.
• Other duties as assigned.

MARGINAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (these duties are not designated as essential for the purposes of ADA; they are still required duties):

• Fill in for other MH and CHW staff as needed.
• Support acquisition and utilization of skills needed to facilitate client's recovery.
• Promote knowledge of available service options.
• Facilitate development of a sense of wellness and self-worth in clients.
• Supportive of clients and encourage them to utilize choice and voice in their treatment.
• Provide translation, if applicable.
• Participate in team meeting or staffings.
• Participate in community activities and/or attends community meetings as needed.
• Participate in workgroups and committees as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES:

• Knowledge of substance use disorder and mental illness.
• Knowledge of substance use disorder treatment.
• Ability to communicate effectively and provide positive interaction with individuals.
• Knowledge of professional standards and performs in a manner consistent with the ethics identified therein.
• Knowledge of HIPAA and ability to protect confidentiality.
• Effective multi-tasking skills.
• Good organizational skills.
• Welcoming, positive behavior.
• Ability to express self clearly and effectively, orally and in writing.
• Effective time management skills.
• Exceptional customer service skills, including positive attitude.
• Cultural sensitivity.
• Dependable attendance and punctuality.
• Knowledge of trauma informed theories, principles and practices.
• Flexibility and adaptability to different work environments.
• Excellent computer skills, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Electronic Health Records (EHR).
• Reading and comprehending.
• Reasoning and analyzing.
• Ability to coordinate with various inter-agency personnel.
• Ability to fulfill PMAB and CPR/First Aid requirements.
• Ability to work independently.
• Good interpersonal skills, including ability to build rapport with individuals including co-workers.
• Ability to display comfort in interacting with individuals of diverse cultural, ethnic and economic backgrounds and with social service, healthcare, educational and criminal justice organizations, as needed.
• Ability to acquire and utilize new skills as the job requires.
• Ability to work cooperatively and productively with supervisor, individuals, co-workers, and groups of persons at all levels of activity, contributing to a spirit of teamwork.
• Ability to maintain highly confidential information.
• Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• Ability to plan and schedule work and implement directives without constant supervision.
• Model professionalism by appropriate dress, language, ethics and work habits.
• Ability to drive personal and/or company vehicle.  This position may require travel to agency program sites, community and residential sites, and/or locations outside the PermiaCare catchment area.  This position may require transport of agency individuals and/or individuals served.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Abilities Required:

• Light Lifting, under 15 lbs
• Light Carrying, under 15 lbs
• Walking
• Standing
• Operating office equipment
• Operating motor vehicle
• Ability to see
• Hearing (with aid)
• Ability to write
• Ability to count
• Ability to read
• Ability to tell time

Other (specify):  driving required. May require some travel after hours and overnight.

WORKSITE CONDITIONS:

• Travel
• Inside
• Working closely with others
• Working alone

ADA Statement:  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

EEO Statement:  PermiaCare is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of duties, activities or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, activities and responsibilities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. This job description does not constitute an employment contract with PermiaCare.  Employment is at-will. 

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