Community Health Specialist 2 - AA Or Na/An KSA

Current employees: Please apply through the employee portal to be considered for this opportunity.

Pay Range:

$25.99 - $31.80 Hourly

Department:

Health Department

Job Type:

Regular Represented

Exemption Status:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

May 23, 2024

The Opportunity:

This Work Matters!

We seek leaders, achievers and doers who bring skill and passion to a challenging and evolving environment. At the Multnomah County Health Department we are all inspired by the mission: We work with communities to advance health equity, protect the most vulnerable, and promote health and wellness for everyone and we uphold the values: Compassion and Care, Empowerment, Racial Equity, Creativity and Integrity. We create a culture of respect, trust and understanding for the highly diverse population we serve in our communities.

This position provides harm reduction services designed to engage individuals who may not be ready to stop substance use by offering strategies to reduce risks. Services provided include Syringe Exchange, Overdose Prevention, client HIV, Hepatitis C, STI testing and support of clinical medical services. Position works closely with vulnerable and stigmatized populations: those experiencing mental illness, substance use disorders, deep trauma history, and sporadic engagement in medical care. This position requires the ability to work in an effective, respectful and culturally competent manner with clientele, community partners, and team members to provide a full complement of services that prevent infections and work to eliminate health disparities. This non-licensed position works under the medical authorization of the Deputy Health Officer. Position provides services in field based and clinic based settings with service hours scheduled to meet population needs. This position works a flexible schedule including evenings, nights and occasional holidays. Creates a work culture of respect, trust and understanding for the highly diverse populations the Health Department serves in the office and in the community. Every employee shares the responsibility for promptly bringing to the County's attention conduct that interferes with providing a work environment free of illegal discrimination and harassment. This position requires the knowledge and understanding of African American/Black or Native American/Alaska Native culture, traditions, attitudes, beliefs and history.

As the Community Health Specialist 2, you will:

• Deliver field based and fixed site best practice syringe services and overdose (OD) prevention services following program guidelines and procedures.

• Interact in a judgment-free, comfortable and confident manner.

• Authentically engage with empathy, compassion and respect using a harm reduction approach - based on client readiness - when exploring and supporting behavior change to reduce substance use related harm.

• Pro-actively and competently engage clients in tailored health promotion counseling.

• Make referrals to needed services based on assessed behavior change readiness.

• Provide clear guidance to clients disposing of biohazardous waste at service delivery sites following program guidelines and procedures.

• Collect, contain, transport and unload biohazardous waste, recycling and trash following program guidelines and procedures.

• Accurately deliver naloxone training elements per Health Officer medical authorization.

• Accurately document and distribute naloxone.

• Support, mentor and work effectively with program volunteers.

• Conduct outreach to engage people at risk who are not connected to services.

• Deliver and support clinical services under Health Officer Medical Authorization.

• Conduct client intakes

• HRC STD visits include the collection of client level information and Epic (electronic health record) documentation: chief complaint, exposure verification, allergies, medications, required HIV testing data fields including sexual behavior.

• Other HRC visits include performing blood pressure, temperature readings and glucose monitoring as needed.

• Conduct client risk assessment.

• Brief Nurse Practitioner / Community Health Nurse as appropriate regarding intake findings, exposure and assessment.

• Conduct independent "Just Checking and "Express Screening" HIV, STI, Hepatitis C screening visits following prescribed orders for follow-up client screening.

• Obtain testing consent, order labs and collect specimens (blood venipuncture / finger puncture, pharyngeal).

• Proactively and competently engage men who have sex with men in health promotion counseling that is tailored to clients being served. This includes the ability to learn and demonstrate knowledge of social inequities, stigma, homophobia, and historical oppression that have contributed to high rates of HIV, gonorrhea and syphilis among men who have sex with men.

• Proactively and competently engage people who inject drugs in health promotion counseling that is tailored to clients being served. This includes the ability to learn and demonstrate knowledge of stigma, discrimination and marginalization that is associated with substance use and addiction that contribute to people who inject drugs not accessing HIV prevention, mental health services, substance use treatment and healthcare.

• Adhere to program schedule and service delivery guidelines to ensure consistent operations in an effort to reduce staff and client frustration.

• Competently and safely drive program vehicles to / from various service locations.

• Participate in team meetings, routinely review meeting minutes, and be fully responsible for project related assignments.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. As a Health Department employee you will create a work culture of respect, trust and understanding for the highly diverse populations the Health Department serves in the office and in the community. Every employee shares the responsibility for promptly bringing to the County's attention conduct that interferes with providing a work environment free of illegal discrimination and harassment.

TO QUALIFY:

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant.

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills*:

• Education/Training: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade AND

• Experience: Two years of experience in community outreach services providing health information, advocacy, social support and assistance in using the health care system to groups and families; AND experience working with the community being served.

• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA): Advanced knowledge of and experience working with: Men who have sex with men, injection drug users, mental illness; specifically within the African American or Native American/Alaska Native culture. This would be demonstrated by knowledge of the traditions, values, and customs of the community being served, as well as the ability to identify specific examples of experience (professional and lived) working directly with individuals and families who identify with the African American or Native American/Alaska Native communities.

• BLS / CPR certification is required and will be provided by the County within 90 days of hire.

• Phlebotomy, specimen collection, rapid testing Certification may be required and will be provided by the County.

• Driver's license and ability to drive a large van.

Preferred Qualifications/ Transferable Skills*: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

• Person-oriented and passionate about empowering people who use drugs to improve their health and wellness.

• Experience providing syringe services, naloxone distribution or overdose prevention training.

• Experience providing HIV, STI, Hepatitis C testing.

• Understanding of services and resources available in the Portland-metro region, including substance use treatment, housing, understanding of the criminal justice system, child welfare, etc.

• Experience with community engagement, community organizing, or providing education and training to community stakeholders.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION:

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

• Initial review of minimum qualifications.

• An evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates.

• Consideration of top candidates/interviews.

• Background, reference, and education checks.

The Application Packet: You must submit all requested items below. Failure to do so will be deemed as an incomplete application.

• A completed online application.

• A resume that explains all related experience (paid or unpaid) and training in your resume.

• A cover letter that expands on your resume, addressing how you qualify for the position, and why you are interested in the role.

Note: The application, resume, and cover letter should demonstrate your work experience/ skills and how it is related to those shown in the Overview and To Qualify sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials may be scored and determine your eligibility for an interview.

Please be mindful of checking your email inbox for messages from the Recruiter as you may be emailed requesting additional information. If a response is not received in a timely manner your application may not be considered.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

Type of Position: This hourly position is eligible for overtime.

Type: Represented

FLSA: Non Exempt

Schedule: Relief Shift, Monday

• Friday

Pay Equity: Please be advised that the pay range listed for this position is intended to provide general guidance on the earning potential for the role. However, actual compensation will be determined in accordance with the Oregon Equal Pay Law and will take into account factors such as the candidate's relevant experience and education. Candidates should expect that initial offers will be made within the listed pay range and may not be at or near the top of the range.

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters:

Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.

Diversity and Inclusion: At Multnomah County, we don't just accept difference; we value it and support it to create a culture of dignity and respect for our employees.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran or protected veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics. The EEO Know Your Rights poster is available for your reference. Multnomah County is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We request priority protected veteran referrals.

Veterans' Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualifying veterans may apply for veterans' preference. Review our veterans' preference page for details about eligibility and how to apply.

Accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act: We gladly provide reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing an application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter below in advance to request assistance. Individuals with hearing or speech impairments may contact the recruiter through the Telecommunications Relay Service by dialing 711.

Questions?

Recruiter:

Selina McCoy

Email:

selina.r.mccoy@multco.us

Phone:

+1 (971) 3477395

Application information may be used throughout the entire selection process. This process is subject to change without notice.

Disclaimer: This announcement is intended as a general descriptive recruitment guide and is subject to change. It does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

Job Profile:

6047 - Community Health Specialist 2