Community Liaison

Department: Behavioral Health

Reports to: Director of Behavioral Health

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Type of Position: Full-Time

Revised Date: 5/14/2024

MISSION & VISION STATEMENT:

The Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation (KPHC) is established for the purposes of carrying out the vision and mission of the Santo Domingo Health Center (SDHC). The MISSION of KPHC is: “ENSURING HEALTH & WELLNESS THROUGH EXCELLENCE IN HEALTHCARE WITH RESPECT FOR CULTURE” and the VISION OF KPHC is: “HEALTHY PEOPLE, HEALTHY COMMUNITY, and HEALTHY LIFESTYLE”.

POSITION PURPOSE:

The incumbent works under the direction of the Director of Behavioral Health. The Community Liaison identifies, connects, and engages with community services, resources, and providers, including IHS and Tribal programs as appropriate. Works collaboratively with other Behavioral Health team members, including care coordinators, to ensure services and resources are maximized, delivered in a timely fashion, and are high-quality for Behavioral Health patients.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees of the Kewa Pueblo Health Center are expected to conform to the following:

• Uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent.
• Adhere to all professional and ethical behavior standards of the healthcare industry.
• Interact in an honest, trustworthy, and dependable manner with patients, employees, and vendors.
• Possess cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Maintain a current insurable driver’s license.
• Comply with all Kewa Pueblo Health Corporation and Santo Domingo Health Center policies and procedures, as well

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serves as a health home advocate to promote the vision and values of the local Keres-speaking community.
• Effectively and regularly shares information about local healthcare events and home health topics of importance with Tribal entities and community stakeholders.
• Responsible for establishing trusting relationships with patients and their families while providing general support and encouragement for engagement in behavioral health services.
• Communicates, effectively, and tactfully, both orally and in writing with community contacts, healthcare center leaders, staff, patients, families, and local Tribal leaders.
• Follow-up via phone and home-based visits (with Keres-speaking and non-Keres-speaking patients) to increase treatment compliance (e.g., attendance) for behavioral health patients.
• Prepares and submits all purchase requests for patient incentives, keeps a detailed log of all completed purchase requests, and ensures that patients receive their monthly rewards, as appropriate.
• Procures supplies needed for patients (e.g., healthy snacks, crisis supplies).
• Manages all Behavioral Health seminars, including generating an advertisement for the seminar, contacting behavioral health patients to ensure that they are aware of the seminar, collaborating with Behavioral Health providers who are delivering seminars, reserving/setting up the room for the event, and cleaning up from the event.
• Proactively engage others in building a network of community and professional support for patients/clients.
• Actively participates in community planning and evaluation efforts that are aimed at improving care and services.
• Establishes and maintains networks and partnerships with other community health workers and organizations for the purpose of disseminating information to the community.
• Writes and prepares clear reports as required.
• Documents clients contact as required.
• Prepares and delivers presentations in various forums.
• Participates in an interdisciplinary team to meet the goals of Behavioral Health initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Associate’s degree in Health Sciences, Human or Health Services, or a related field from an accredited institution of higher learning

Experience:

• Two (2) years of related work experience preferably in community health.

License/Certifications:

• Basic Life Support (BLS) and CPR/First Aid Certifications preferred.

Mandatory Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Qualifications:

• Bilingual in English and Keres.
• Demonstrated knowledge of cultural and social differences in family unity, religious beliefs, health-related beliefs and practices, generational differences, traditions, histories, and socioeconomics.
• Knowledge of human behavior enabling incumbent to create and maintain a positive health care experience for both patients and their families.
• Ability to use communication strategies and methods that acknowledge the dignity of cultural traditions.
• Knowledge of community liaison principles, including population-based services, evidence-based services, prevention, and community assessment.
• Knowledge of regulatory agencies and documentation requirements.
• Knowledge of Health Center policy and procedures.
• Effective communication and writing skills.
• Knowledge of current computer software applications, including Word processing, spreadsheets, electronic documentation, and computerized health records.
• Familiarity with the mandatory reporting requirements under the Indian Child Protection Act, with regard to suspected incidents of child abuse or child neglect.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bilingual skills in English and the Keres native language.

• Basic Life Support (BLS) and CPR/First Aid Certifications preferred.

• Prior experience working with Indian Health Services (IHS), a Tribe or Tribal organization.

• Prior work experience in a health care setting.

• Supervisory experience, preferably in the healthcare or related field or with a community-based organization.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the primary functions of this job. Normal office conditions exist, and the noise level in the work environment can vary from low to moderate. Travel during the day time, as well as limited overnight travel may be required from time to time. This position may be exposed to certain health risks that are inherent when working within a health center facility.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to frequently stand, walk, sit, bend, twist, talk, and hear. There may be prolonged periods of sitting, keyboarding, reading, as well as driving or riding in transport vehicles. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include reading, distance, computer, and color vision. Talking and hearing are essential to communicating with patients, vendors, and staff.

MENTAL DEMANDS:

There are a number of deadlines associated with this position. The employee must also multi-task and interact with a wider variety of people on various and, at times, complicated issues.

OTHER:

All employees must uphold all principles of confidentiality and patient care to the fullest extent. This position has access to sensitive information and a breach of these principles will be grounds for immediate termination.

Disclaimer: The information in this position description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performance by employees in this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position. Employees will be asked to perform other duties as needed.