Community Health Educator – Dcwmhc

The Community Health Educator (CHE) will be responsible for individual and community outreach and education for both the Special Diabetes Program for Indians (SDPI) and the Community Health (CH) programs. The CHE will assist with community assessments to determine community health needs, develop and implement community health education programs, and promote healthy behaviors through education and outreach.

The CHE will be interacting with community members of all ages by providing health education and physical activity instruction to individuals and groups. The CHE will assist in gathering, organizing, and analyzing data. The CHE will assist in the implementation of the SDPI grant by providing support and coordination of services for community members in diabetes education, wellness, and prevention. The CHE will assist with teaching health education classes, leading cooking demonstrations, and coordinating healthy community activities for community members to promote overall health through wellness, fitness, and nutrition education.

CHEs empower people to take control of their health by connecting them to resources and health information.

• Needs assessment:
  Conduct community assessments to identify health issues and determine the most pressing needs of the population.
• Program development:
  Assist with planning, designing, and implementing a comprehensive health education program in collaboration with health center staff. Prepare and deliver educational programs and materials on topics including disease prevention, nutrition, healthy lifestyles, and other health-related topics.
• Health education delivery:
  Provide direct care and support services to community members and participants in health education activities. Facilitate workshops, classes, and one-on-one counseling to educate individuals and groups of all ages about health topics. Work with community health representatives to deliver trainings and educational workshops. Teach community members about managing existing health conditions and preventing chronic disease. Perform home visits as needed to assist clients with home needs, provide individual education, and review health history for program enrollment.
• Community outreach:
  Develop and distribute educational resources, such as brochures and newsletters, and connect community members with health services. Develop programs, materials, and events to teach people of all ages about health topics including health fairs, diabetes screenings, educational activities, school-related programs, and exercise programs. May include providing transportation to and from diabetes-related appointments for clients when no other resources are available.
• Collaboration:
  
  Build partnerships with healthcare providers, schools, government agencies, and community groups to promote health initiatives.
• Advocacy:
  Advocate for policies and resources that improve community health and address health disparities.
• Program coordination:
  Assist program manager in maintaining case files and client records including health plans and determining eligibility for services.

• Understand and adhere to HIPAA rights and responsibilities and show professionalism while representing the health center.
• Communicate effectively and in a professional manner with patients, other staff, supervisors, providers, and outside organizations or agencies as needed.
• Work independently and in partnership with individuals, families, and groups to improve the overall health and wellbeing of the community.
• Required to complete CPR, First Aid, blood borne pathogen/universal precautions, Food Handler certificate, and defensive driving training within 6 months of hire.
• Willingness to obtain training in Basic Tobacco Intervention Skills for Native Communities, Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid, and other health-related education within first year of hire (dependent upon training availability).
• Ability to obtain Native American Fitness Council (NAFC) Fitness Instructor Certification (Exercise and Aging Specialist, Native Youth Fitness Leader, and/or Personal Trainer) within one year of hire (depending on class availability).
• Accept other duties or responsibilities as assigned.

• Bachelor’s or associate degree in health or education-related program preferred. Experience may substitute for education.
• Minimum of 6 months education/experience in health-related field (exercise or fitness services, nutrition services, social services, case management, behavioral health, senior services, childcare services, education).
• Experience working with Native Americans and individuals of other ethnicities.
• Understand and be accepting of cultural needs.
• Ability to lift to 30 pounds.
• Basic computer skills.
• Demonstrated problem‑solving ability including planning, organizing, teaching, and prioritizing.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a group and to work collaboratively and productively with all members of staff.
• Demonstrate acceptable standards of performance…