Careers

Description:

Public Health- Seattle and King County is seeking a Career Service Social Services Specialist (Community Health Worker) to join our innovative social services team at Jail Health Services (JHS) Division! The Community Health Worker (CHW) provides low barrier health education, resource navigation and care coordination to individuals who have recently released from one of the King County Correctional Facilities. The Community Health Worker Team serves individuals with diverse backgrounds and needs in a variety of settings, including King County jails and community settings, and actively supports individuals in accessing health care, behavioral health treatment, benefits enrollment, transportation assistance and more. Public Health values and actively seeks applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, including people with lived experience of substance use, incarceration and homelessness. If you are passionate about supporting re-entry populations in King County and improving health outcomes, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and the health of our community.

Job Duties

 

• Active engagement with people who use drugs and individuals who are living with, or at risk for, HIV/hepatitis C and other chronic health conditions using a collaborative, person-centered approach grounded in harm reduction and trauma-informed practice.
• Use brief assessment, active listening, and crisis response skills to help meet immediate, basic needs and make appropriate referrals to health and supportive services. 
• Coach clients in how to access community resources and facilitate linkages to care. Schedule day of release appointments with community-based services including healthcare, mental health services, SUD treatment and providers that prescribe medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and medications for alcohol use disorder (MAUD) for patients releasing from jail. 
• Provide and coordinate transportation to community appointments. 
• Distribute harm reduction supplies and provide accurate health and safety information using established messages on safer drug use and overdose safety planning. 
• Adapt resource information based on clients’ priorities, cultural beliefs, and value systems using accessible language to convey pertinent, complex information.
• Work in collaboration with partner agencies to provide a continuum of services within King County and surrounding areas.
• Maintain information on community resources.
• Assist patients with applying for or reactivating Medicaid insurance. 
• Act as patient advocate and liaison to clinical staff.
• Maintain accurate and up to date case records, documenting interventions, progress and outcomes to support effective case management in an electronic health record. 
• Participate in program meetings, presentations, and continuing education on substance use disorders, mental health conditions, and other related topics with program manager and clinical staff.
• Communicate clearly and effectively with clients and coworkers, verbally and in writing. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills/Eligibility:

Our ideal candidate will demonstrate the following (Minimum):

• Demonstrated skills, experience and knowledge of the principles and practices of harm reduction when working with vulnerable populations. 
• Demonstrated ability to establish rapport, provide support and advocate for a diverse range of clientele including individuals who are unhoused, actively using substances and living with significant health challenges. 
• Demonstrated knowledge of race equity, justice, health promotion and public health approaches and models of social support and healthcare. 
• Experience using de-escalation skills to address high stress and high conflict situations. 
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with all people, regardless of background or current circumstances. 
• Ability to maintain appropriate boundaries and supportive working relationships with patients. 
• Ability to refer patients to community services related to their health and safety needs. 
• Familiarity with Microsoft programs such as Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word and the ability to use drop down menus, point and click software, and multiple screens. 
• Ability to summarize and document information from client interactions according to program requirements using an electronic medical record. 
• Ability to engage professionally with community partners when doing client care coordination and patient advocacy. 
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and organize work while meeting deadlines; flexibility and ability to adapt to changing work environment. 
• Comfort working in a variety of community settings and conducting outreach efforts on behalf of clients. 
• Must possess valid and unrestricted Washington Driver’s License to drive a county vehicle. 
• Ability to travel within King County region on a flexible schedule as needed. 
• Ability to pass background check. BLS/CPR certification. 
• Washington State Department of Health Community Health Worker certification OR ability to obtain within 12 months of hire date.

The most competitive applicants will have the following experiences and qualifications (Desired): 

• One (1) year of recent experience working with vulnerable community members or providing direct client services in a health or human service agency.
  Formal education in a health or social services program or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Extensive background in related social service organizations. 
• Knowledge of social and health systems and resources in Washington and King County. 
• Advanced knowledge and experience in areas such as substance use, harm reduction, sexual health, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, mental health, legal systems. Demonstrated ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience and demonstrated ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary health care team.