Health Education Specialist

Title:                          Health Education Specialist

Job Summary:          Under general direction of the District Nurse Administrator the Health Education Specialist is responsible for collaborating with patients, family members, healthcare team members, healthcare team members from other organizations, and other stakeholders to reduce or eliminate barriers to care. The Health Education Specialist will participate in the identification of patient and community educational needs and promote health education and outreach activities. This position will work closely with the District Health Administrator and Health Center Nurses to ensure that health education is fully integrated with health center operations and in full support of Omni Family Health’s mission to provide primary health care to everyone in the community.Under general direction of the Clinical Services Officer the Health Educator will participate in the identification of patient and community educational needs and promote health education and  the Clinical Services Officer the Health Educator will \

Job Duties:                Health Education:

1. Build and maintain relationships with patients and other stakeholders for the purposes of improving quality care and outcomes.
2. Responsible for the identification and prioritization of patient and community health education needs.
3. Participate in the planning, implementation, and completion of program goals and objectives within budgetary guidelines.
4. Provide general health education: Aids/HIV, asthma, back care, cardiac risk, child disease and accident prevention, diabetes, family planning, gastrointestinal disorders, obesity, pregnancy testing, smoking cessation through help-line.
5. Assist patients with assessments, orientation, educational plans, referral processes, and forms completion relevant to programs that serve special populations including but not limited to Comprehensive Perinatal Services Program, including high risk perinatal patients; Family Pact services, and Every Woman Counts Program.
6. Participate in patient population management as it relates to clinical services while taking into account cultural diversity and local resources.
7. Participate in the team member’s care coordination by providing follow up phone calls post hospital discharge. Assists the patient with follow up appointments within the recommended time frames and gather data from recent hospital admissions to facilitate follow up.

8. Understand the role in self-management support by developing a relationship with high risk clients and anticipate what needs they may encounter. Develop the ability to refer to an RN when clinical judgement is in question.
9. Develop communication with all members of the team both internal and external, by first being a patient advocate and use the available resources to facilitate care. Coordinate with the Care Team (Primary Care Provider, RN, Health Education, LCSW, and Medical Assistant).
10. Understand the role in the quality improvement process which may include meetings, data collection and charge auditing. Use Evidence Based Practice guidelines to assist with disease management.
11. Demonstrate the knowledge and skill necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served (infant, pediatrics, adolescents, adults, or geriatrics).
12. Knowledge of domestic violence, child and dependent abuse protocols.
13. Provide feedback in the development and modification of health education protocols.
14. Coordinate health services educational materials including audio-visual materials required for presentations.
15. Maintain approved health education materials at assigned sites.
16. Work closely with medical assistant and nursing staff to integrate health education materials and information in health center operations and patient visits.

17. Attend and actively participate in all meetings (e.g., department meetings, program meetings, employee staff meetings) and other activities as required or assigned.

18. Prepare and maintain written documentation of health education program activities as   required by OFH policies as well as state and federal requirements. 

19. Responsible for collection of data, surveys, evaluations, documentation of activities for reporting requirements, in accordance with contractual agreements and policies and procedures.
20. Participate in community groups, coalitions, health fairs and other related activities on behalf of OFH. 
21. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally either verbally or in writing

Job Requirements: 

1. Promote and believe in OFH mission statement. 
2. Ability and willingness to treat all patients with the utmost kindness and consideration in the most trying situations.
3. Ability to promote positive behavior change and the ability to relate health issues to patients.
4. Understanding of community based organizations and knowledge of and sensitivity to community and cultural groups.
5. Ability to relate to the public regardless of ethnic, religious and economic status.
6. Must be willing to work at any Omni Family Health location, other that the assigned site and be agreeable to work weekends, if so needed.
7. Commitment to the concepts of preventive health care program and team approach to health care delivery.

Additional Duties:

1. HIPAA compliance - Responsible for maintaining abreast of and in compliance with all H.I.P.A.A. regulations and requirements. Treats all member information confidential.
2. Compliance - Ensure compliance with all local, state and federal regulations.
3. QA/QI - Participate in QA/QI activities and contribute towards the overall performance improvement of the organization.
4. IT - Required to learn and use the EHR/EOHR (Medical Practice Electronic System) and its components. As required by the job functions and highlighted in the Policies and Procedures. These components include NextGen, PMS, QSI and other electronic features, as they are developed and implemented, as applicable to work environment.
5. All employees will participate in Patient Centered Health Home Model at Omni Family Health.

Qualifications, Education and Experience:

1. Must have knowledge and understanding of and be sensitive to area minority groups and their socio-economic backgrounds/cultures.
2. Demonstrated ability to function independently, strong organizational skills and flexibility required.
3. Individual must be self-motivated and able to develop positive working relationships with a wide variety of individuals.
4. Must have certification in CPSP or acquire certification within one year of employment.

5. Current and valid Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

6. Must be willing to acquire certification in the area of Health Education and/or Family Planning. 
7. Must be willing to acquire and/or have thorough education, training or experience with Chronic Diseases.
8. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing in both English and Spanish required.
9. Must have strong oral presentation skills and the ability to interact with a wide range of clients effectively. 
10. Must have an Associate’s Degree with at least two (2) years of experience in similar work or counseling work in a community outreach program.  Other medical training or experience and other certification may be evaluated on a case by case basis. Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred.

Responsible to: Director of Nursing

Classification: Non-exempt