Community Health Advocate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MISSION  

The Mission of Native American LifeLines is to promote health and social resiliency within Urban American Indian communities. Native American LifeLines applies principles of trauma informed care to provide culturally centered behavioral health, dental, outreach and referral services. 

AGENCY OVERVIEW  

Native American Lifelines Inc. (NAL) is a small nonprofit community-based agency in Baltimore, MD, with an additional service location in Boston, MA. NAL serves American Indians/Alaskan Natives, primarily providing health education, health promotion, case management, substance abuse counseling, dental services, transportation, and support groups. 

Our program is part of a network of 42 Urban Indian Health Organizations nationally and a member of the National Council of Urban Indian Health. NAL’s substance use & mental health outpatient treatment program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). 

POSITION SUMMARY  

The Community Health Advocate is a frontline public health worker that is responsible for building trusting and sustainable relationships with community members that result in increased access to health care. This position will work closely with staff and leadership to advance direct care initiatives by providing care coordination and connection to resources and programs that support Health Promotion and Disease Prevention efforts. The CHA will serve as a liaison or intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. They will also build individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES 

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. 

• Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies, procedures, quality standards, and safety standards. Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations.  

• Provide care, support, follow up, and education in community settings. 

• Facilitate health care and social service system navigation. Proactively identify and refer individuals to federal, state, private, and non-profit health and human services programs. Help patients identify socio-economic issues that affect their overall health and develop health/social management plans and goals. 

• Identifies or contacts members of high-risk or otherwise targeted groups such as members of minority populations, low-income populations, or pregnant women. Advises clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health such as diet or exercise. 

• Attends community meetings or health fairs to understand community issues or to build 
  relationships with community members. Distributes flyers, brochures, or other informational or educational documents to inform members of a targeted community. Collects information from individuals to compile vital statistics about the general health of community members. 

• Advises clients or community groups on issues related to risk prevention (i.e. HIV), diagnostic screenings such as breast cancer screening, pap smears, glaucoma tests, or diabetes screenings. Performs basic diagnostic procedures such as blood pressure screening, breast cancer screening, or communicable disease screening. 

• Conducts home visits for pregnant women, newborn infants, or other high-risk individuals to monitor their progress or to assess their needs. May assist patients in their homes, community, or clinic setting.

• Communicate to patients the purposes of the program and the impact it may have on their wellbeing. 

• Accompanies clients to scheduled health appointments or referral sites. 

• Helps community members to effectively communicate with health care providers. 

• Assist individuals with understanding their health condition(s) and develop strategies to support their health and well-being. 

• Interprets, translates, or provides cultural mediation related to health services or information for community members. Deliver health information using culturally appropriate terms and concepts. 

• Document all patient encounters; complete and submit monthly reports; maintain comprehensive electronic client files, which include client notes, release of information, assessments and other medical documents acquired on behalf of the patient. Document activities, service plans, and outcomes achieved by patient in an effective manner.  

• Collect, track, and report important health data that helps guide Health Promotion and Disease Prevention initiatives. 

• Participate in multidisciplinary quality and service improvement teams as appropriate. Participate in meetings, serve on committees, and represents the department and facility in community outreach efforts as appropriate. 

• Educate client on the proper use of the Emergency Room/Health system services and provide information for alternatives. Coach patients in effective management of their chronic health conditions and self-care. Assist patients in understanding care plans and instructions. Motivates patients/clients to be active and engaged participants in their health and overall wellbeing.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 

• Effective oral and written communication skills. 

• Ability to reason and problem solve – analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses, notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, and think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.  

• Personal knowledge of target population. 

• Native American Indian and Alaskan Native cultural and traditional healing knowledge

• Knowledge of local resources and system navigation. 

• Advocacy and community capacity building skills. 

• Care coordination skills.  

• Outreach methods, strategies, and a network of referral sources in the Baltimore area. 

• Understanding of ethics and confidentiality issues. 

• Ability to use and understand health information technology. 

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE 

Required Qualifications 

• High School Diploma or GED  

• 1 Year Work or Volunteer Experience in a Healthcare Setting, or a demonstrated dedication to Urban Indian Health Initiatives 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Bachelor's Degree 

• 1-3 Years Experience as a Community Health Advocate (also known as a Community Health Worker or Community Health Representative) 

• Driver’s License and Access to Reliable Transportation 

• Community Health Worker certification or willingness to earn a CHW certificate