Community Health Liaison

ABOUT VOORHEES UNIVERSITY

Voorhees University is a private, diverse, historically black, coeducational, liberal arts, baccalaureate degree-granting institution affiliated with the Episcopal Church. Located in rural Denmark, South Carolina, the University serves traditional and nontraditional students primarily from South Carolina and the southeastern region of the United States. The University offers each student a comprehensive general education experience coupled with professional education in the values-centered liberal arts environment that supports educational opportunities designed to help prepare students to function in a diverse and increasingly technological society. Accordingly, the University seeks to produce highly qualified graduates who coalesce intellect and faith in pursuit of lifelong learning, healthy living, the betterment of society, and an abiding faith in God.

PRESIDENTIAL CHARGE AND SCOPE OF APPOINTMENT

In accordance with the University's mission, Dr. Ronnie Hopkins, 10th President of Voorhees University has issued the charge and call to action articulated through the University's mantra: Begin. Believe. Become. that will advance Voorhees University to The Next Level of Excellence. In order to level up, in full transparency, the University has identified existing phenomena that challenge our Institution to seek investment from external stakeholders as well as increased cooperation and collaboration with business, community, and industry to provide learning opportunities, service prospects, and currency of curriculum to create a more forward-looking, future-oriented institution of higher education. Indeed, the strategic plan serves as the A.T.L.A.S. to the Next Level of Excellence to mitigate the aforementioned circumstances and reality for our HBCU and certainly truly embrace transformation to realize the Next Level of Excellence.

Position: Community Health Liaison

Department/Division: Becoming Beloved Community/Central Administration

Reports to: Director, Rural Community Development Institute

Salary Range: $30,000 - $35,000

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Position Duration: Full-time/Grant Funded

Position Schedule: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Extended hours and weekends may be required)

BACKGROUND

Voorhees University (VU)'s Rural Community Development Institute ("RCDI") takes a holistic multidisciplinary approach to improving the quality of life in rural communities and counties surrounding Voorhees University. The undergirding philosophy for the RCDI is the critical importance of advancing educational opportunities from the "cradle" and throughout life to promote lifelong learning and development in an ever-changing world. RCDI's vision is to create and implement sustainable community initiatives that address the socio-economic well-being of Voorhees University's students, staff, faculty, and neighboring rural community citizens. Our mission is to develop innovative approaches to improve educational, career, and housing opportunities, healthcare access, infrastructure needs, and community relationships and partnerships in order to improve the living standards of our rural community citizens by utilizing readily available natural and human resources to enhance economic possibilities and increase social mobility. The work of the RCDI is vital in rural areas, medically underserved populations, and economically disadvantaged communities. Many people in our communities lack access to affordable healthcare options and educational support to help them maintain good health.

ROLE SUMMARY

The primary responsibility of this position involves connecting the RCDI team with our VU and neighboring local communities, fostering positive relationships, and promoting community involvement. The ideal candidate will be passionate about community development, be a strong communicator, empathetic, capable of efficiently handling various inquiries and requests, have a results-oriented team attitude, and be capable of implementing creative engagement strategies. Essentially, the Community Health Liaison will help cultivate key local stakeholder relationships, ensure community member voices are heard, and work to ensure equitable and empowering collaboration. The Community Health Liaison will also serve as a Community Health Worker for the RCDI to provide health information to community members and ensure they have access to care through referrals and follow-ups.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Specifically, the Community Health Liaison will:

• Cultivate key local stakeholder relationships, ensure that community member voices are heard, and work to ensure equitable and empowering collaboration,

• Serve as a CHW for Voorhees University students and its neighboring rural community,

• Collaborate with stakeholders and community-based organizations to facilitate the development of community partnerships and assist in the translation of partnerships into operational strategies,

• Facilitate and maintain communication between internal and external audiences and, coordinate outreach activities, and

• Monitor and report on the achievement of committed action plans.

The selected Community Health Liaison will also work with VU's nurse to:

• Engage and educate communities about healthy lifestyles and disease prevention,

• Provide access to health screenings for common diseases, including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and other chronic health problems,

• Conduct health assessment information/data to identify health risks and

• Describe how insurance works and help uninsured or underinsured people gain access to healthcare services.

EDUCATION

• A Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or an Associate's degree in any field with at least one year of experience in a health-related field, or a High school diploma or GED with at least two (2) years of progressively responsible work experience in a community-based capacity.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Standard Office Environment

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The Community Health Liaison is a high-visibility position and must:

• Be skilled at relationship building, have strong verbal and written communication skills, and have excellent problem-solving and interpersonal skills.

• Have a positive attitude, empathy, and cultural sensitivity when working with diverse communities, and be committed to confidentiality and professionalism.

• Possess excellent time management skills, adaptability, flexibility, ability to work independently and on teams, attention to detail and strong organizational skills, and a readiness to assist the Team with special projects as assigned,

• Be proficient in computer operations and complete other related responsibilities as assigned by your supervisor.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must participate in a Community Health Workers (CHW) training program that will be provided to the Community Health Liaison, pass the CHW certification requirements, and renew such certification as required.

• Must participate in a CPR instructor course that will be provided to the Community Health Liaison, receive an instructor certification, and renew such certification every two years.

• Travel to work assignments, a valid current license, and appropriate individual automobile insurance must be maintained.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Please submit an employment application, cover letter detailing your interest and qualifications for the position, resume, and relevant transcript to apply.