Communications Specialist

The Communication Specialist provide statewide services to reduce infant mortality rates in Indiana. The Communication Specialist provide screening & referral services for eligible, pregnant women in target counties by contacting them directly and referring them to home visiting services and resources.

• Requires efficiency to handle the volume of incoming and outbound calls received on a daily basis.
• Ability to make and take a numerous amount of calls helping navigate families with resources and referrals within the maternal and child life cycle, accurately and thoroughly using multiple intake screening processes.
• Ability to follow‑up with all clients engaged in the system, to ensure that quality is achieved.
• Develop in‑depth knowledge of the existing early childhood systems, Help Me Grow IN, Home Visiting, Early Childhood, Special Education and Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs programs – eligibility, referral/application processes, due process information, and related support services.
• Assist with compiling and mailing out information packets to families referred to services or screening tools, or other community‑based resources, as needed.
• Sends out confirmation letter and resource information to referral source.
• Assists in maintaining filing system for all cases.
• Attends staff meetings, conferences, and workshops regularly to upgrade professional skills and understand systems and current best practices for working with mothers, children and families.
• Works effectively as a team member and provides assistance to other staff members as needed.
• Effective communication skills needed to assess the needs of clients and direct them to the appropriate resource and referral.
• Ability to assist client submitting full Medicaid application, obtaining navigator license.
• Requires knowledge of community resources and available service providers throughout the state, assisting in identifying gaps and barriers to services, and system issue trends families experience in utilizing services.
• Requires knowledge of Information and Referral (I&R) standards and utilizing the Vision Link Database.
• Assists Lead CS in producing caller data reports by reporting number of calls made and other filter such as referrals, call type, needs, providers, etc. on a daily basis.

• Required:
  
  a Bachelor’s (or higher degree) in Communications, Social Work, Information Technology, Education, Special Education, Home Visiting or a related health or human services field.

• Must have knowledge of the nature of the social service and medical providers to whom the Helpline makes referrals.
• Must have ability to develop a specialized knowledge of Information and Referral service provision, and considerable knowledge of the services available throughout the state of Indiana.
• Excellent listening skills and the ability to assess and inquire into the situation and needs of clients, using good judgment in determining appropriate referrals.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to convey information effectively to both professionals and the general public.
• Ability to show compassion and understanding for people dealing with difficult situations.
• Logical thinking, good judgment and ability to maintain composure in stressful circumstances (suicide, abuse, crisis calls) are needed.
• Must be respectful; non‑judgmental; non‑critical and attentive to the concerns of MCH programs and staff.
• Able to work independently and as a part of a project team.
• Able to work under pressure and tight deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Able to multitask, prioritize, and be flexible.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Outlook, Power Point, Excel and SharePoint.
• Well‑developed written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in positions involving maternal needs, special needs or work with very young children.
• Knowledge of typical and atypical child development and special needs conditions.
• Bilingual:
  English/Spanish/Burmese/Haitian‑Creole highly desirable.

All Communication Specialists work within the ISDH MCH Team as well as other divisions within the MCH and Health and Human Services Commission,…