Community Health Specialist 2 - Spanish

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$26.85 - $32.85 Hourly

Department:

Health Department

Job Type:

Regular Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

May 05, 2025

The Opportunity:

THIS WORK MATTERS!

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA): Bilingual in Spanish and English (language testing may be required)

This position is responsible for developing and delivering activities designed to promote individual, community and population health with a focus on social determinants of health (such as food scarcity, access to safe housing, health literacy, access to financial resources and job training, etc.). Duties include referral outreach and care coordination, health education, community engagement and health promotion both in the community and the clinical setting (includes medical, dental, pharmacy, behavioral health, etc.). Creates a work culture of respect, trust and understanding for the highly diverse populations the Health Department serves in the office and in the community. Every employee shares the responsibility for promptly bringing to the County's attention conduct that interferes with providing a work environment free of illegal discrimination and harassment. This position requires the ability to communicate (written, oral, etc.) in English and ability to drive to various locations/sites.

As the Community Health Worker, other duties will include:

Direct Client Services and Documentation:

• Respond to Referrals: Actively manage and respond to direct referrals from providers, addressing patient needs based on chief complaints in Epic under the Person-Centered Medical Home model. This includes proactively assisting with Social Determinants of Health referrals from the Health Engagement and Assessment Team (HEAT) and primary care providers.
• Coordinate Client Care: Skillfully coordinate client services in collaboration with the care team, providing crucial support with complex system navigation (for both insured and uninsured) and accompanying clients to specialty appointments to ensure seamless care transitions.
• Provide Individual and Family Support:Offer compassionate and effective individual and family support by assisting with challenging situations (e.g., hoarding), advocating for students within Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and connecting clients and their families with specialized services and resources.
• Connect to Community Resources: Proactively link clients to essential community and social support services, such as school enrollment, SNAP, WIC, DHC, and Aging & Disability Services, to address their broader needs.
• Conduct Client Fieldwork: Engage directly with clients through a variety of fieldwork activities, including on-site, telephonic, and off-site visits. This encompasses accompanying clients to appointments (sometimes from their homes), delivering vital resources such as food boxes and medications, and conducting home visits to provide comprehensive support.
• Perform Home Visits and Provide Key Insights:Conduct home visits as an essential function of the CHW role, building strong client relationships within their comfortable environment to address sensitive issues, understand support needs and barriers to care, and promote health. As the primary point of contact in the home, you will serve as the clinic's ""eyes and ears,"" providing invaluable insights into client situations.
• Ensure Accurate and Compliant Documentation:Maintain meticulous records of client services in Epic via interim notes, telephone encounters, and referral reports. You will also document Care Steps and complete all necessary documentation to facilitate billing for approved CHW services under the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and client care plans.

Health Education and Promotion:

• Deliver Engaging Health Education: Collaborate in the planning and delivery of interactive health education classes and presentations for diverse groups, primarily in-person (e.g., walking groups, grocery store tours, cooking classes, and healthy birth groups), with potential for some online group development.
• Provide Culturally Appropriate Education:Share culturally appropriate, department-approved health education and information (written and verbal) with individuals, families, and groups, empowering them to set achievable goals for improved health.
• Promote Program Participation: Actively participate in the development of or facilitate referrals to programs that encourage strong client participation and enhance their ability to learn and apply health information, such as the Prescribe a Bike and OSU Extension Nutrition and Cooking programs, to positively impact their social determinants of health.

Community Engagement:

• Cultivate Collaborative Partnerships: Forge and maintain strong, effective working relationships with members of the care team, actively participating in regular team, group, and individual case conferences to optimize client care.
• Facilitate Open Communication: Ensure seamless communication regarding shared clients, with official notes diligently documented in client charts to maintain continuity of care.
• Strengthen Community Connections: Develop and nurture robust relationships with diverse communities and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) representing our client population, such as Acateco and Somali Mai Mai speaking communities, to enhance service delivery and cultural responsiveness.

TO QUALIFY:

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant. For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview ofthe selection processpage.

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be as noted below. All non-traditional education, training and experience will be evaluated.

Education/Training and Experience:

Equivalent to an associate's degreeandone (1) to four (4) years of experience in community outreach services providing health information, advocacy, social support and assistance in using the health care system to groups and families; and experience working with the community being served.

Other:

• Must have a valid Driver's License
• Must have valid CPR / BLS certification upon hire OR within 30 days of hire.
• This role requires the ability to communicate effectively in Spanish. Candidates must achieve a passing score on a Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA) Spanish language proficiency exam to demonstrate the required level of fluency.

Preferred Qualifications/ Transferable Skills: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/ transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• Community Health Worker (CHW) Certification is preferred and may be required for this position in the future. If applicants do not already have the CHW certification, there is the ability to gain the certification during employment.

Transferable Skills: Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience (including the military) or life experience that are relevant for this position. Be sure to describe any transferable skills on your application and clearly explain how they apply to this position.

SCREENING & EVALUATION:

REQUIRED: The Application Packet: You must submit all requested items below. Failure to do so will be deemed as an incomplete application.

1. Attach aResumedemonstrating you meeting minimum qualifications; AND

2. Attach a Cover Letter addressing the following:

• Demonstrate your experience working with diverse vulnerable populations; and
• How you meet the qualifications for this position; and
• Why you are interested in the position

Note:The application, resume and cover letter should clearly demonstrate your work experience/skills and how they relate to the descriptions provided in the ‘Overview’ and ‘To Qualify’ sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials will be scored and determine your eligibility to advance in this recruitment process.

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview ofthe selection processpage. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications
• Resume and Cover Letter Review
• Phone screen
• Consideration of top candidates
• Language assessment
• Background, reference

Note: Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Type of Position: This position is eligible for overtime.

Type:Represented

FLSA:Non-Exempt

Location: Rockwood Health Center

Schedule: 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans’ Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans’ preference. Review our veterans’ preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Maya Jabar-Muhammad

Email:

maya.jabar@multco.us

Phone:

+1 (503) 9881270 x81270

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:

6047 - Community Health Specialist 2