Community Health Worker

Reports To: Director of Community Prevention

Employee Type: Non-Exempt/Full Time/Temporary

JOB DESCRIPTION: Community Health Worker

The Community Health Worker represents Prevention Links and the Community Prevention Division in the community by providing support, resources, information and linkages to services including but not limited to education surrounding overdose prevention, substance use disorder treatment, and recovery services for participants and their families. The Community Health Worker works closely with other Prevention Links programs to facilitate responsive support to participants through warm handoffs; collaborates with diverse staff members; coordinates and implements professional and community education events and activities focusing on harm reduction, stigma reduction, and services available to participants and their families for audiences including, but not limited to, emergency medical service providers, police, and other parties. This person is also responsible for coordinating and conducting rapid response outreach to participants referred to the program following an overdose. This position requires effective leadership skills and an ability to work with a dynamic team to initiate and engage participants and their families in services.

· Provides health education and community engagement through dissemination of information, including oral, written or technologically based methods. Understands the service delivery systems that impact families and advocate for/with families, as needed.

· Makes direct outreach by phone or in person to participants who have experienced an overdose and have been referred by first responders and others.

· Make warm handoff to the treatment/recovery placement team for willing participants.

· Develops and implements effective communication and gives information to first responders.

· Develops and implements effective health communication and community engagement strategies to respond to participants who have experienced an overdose and their families.

· Provides families with in depth information about the services and programs available through the county, state, and other entities.

· Educates the public, especially identified vulnerable, diverse populations about harm reduction, stigma reduction.

· Gather information on stigma reduction for community outreach campaigns.

· Assists families in developing their own support network on behalf of their family needs.

· Assists families with making connections to support and services, as needed.

· Participates and assists in the coordination of outreach activities and events.

· Leads in the implementation of activities and events as assigned by the supervisor by facilitating presentations, hosting events, running meetings, collaborating with community, service providers and first responders.

· Ensures excellence in program implementation by analyzing assigned projects, setting goals, developing plans, and utilizing time effectively and efficiently.

· Attends and participates in meetings, related trainings, and workshops on behalf of Prevention Links, as directed.

· Recognizes, documents, and alerts the supervisor of trends to ensure programming is responsive to community needs.

· Assists in community outreach and in the marketing of all Community Prevention projects, activities, and events.

· Meets weekly, or as otherwise determined, with the Community Prevention Division supervisor for supervision.

· Must conduct information sessions for first responders on harm reduction, stigma reduction and services available to participants and their families.

· Must make direct outreach by phone or in person to participants who have experienced an overdose and have been referred by first responders and others.

· Must gather information on stigma reduction for community outreach campaigns

· Must conduct community-specific activities in collaboration with community partners attend community meetings to introduce outreach efforts

· Schedule individual appointments with participants and/or family members to address questions and provide information when necessary

· Must be able to perform work responsibilities in various locations.

· Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills.

· Must be sensitive, flexible and responsive to gender, race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, religion, age, sexual orientation or any other special needs as reflected in the ability to communicate with staff and/or clients.

· Must be proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and possess basic computer skills.

· Must be available to attend weekend and evening meetings and events as required.

· Must be able to work both independently and in a team environment.

· Must possess the time management skills necessary to organize and manage multiple priorities and tasks.

· Must be authorized to work in the U.S and New Jersey.

· Must possess the ability to serve as a representative of Prevention Links, upholding agency’s expectation of excellence and collaboration.

· Must maintain an understanding of all programs, grants, and projects offered by Prevention Links.

· Must adhere to Prevention Links administrative, reporting and recordkeeping guidelines to support accurate documentation of activities.

· Must participate in all agency required training.

· Must be able to speak and write English.

· Must regularly be able to see, speak, and hear.

· Must be able to walk, stand and sit for long periods of time.

· Must be able to lift 25 pounds.

· Must possess a valid New Jersey Driver’s License and an independent mode of transportation.

· Must complete all other duties and tasks as requested by the CEO, Director of Community Prevention, and supervisor.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the ongoing needs of the organization. Job descriptions can be revised and updated periodically to meet the needs of the organization.

TRAVEL:Domestic travel may be required for this full-time position. Local, independent travel is required.

EVENING AND WEEKEND AVAILABILITY: Must be available evenings and weekends

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Temporary

Salary: $20.00 per hour

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