Health Liaison - Church World Service
Harrisburg, PA
About the Job
Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home
Purpose:The purpose of the Health Navigator position is to help newly arrived refugees and other eligible populations develop a strong understanding of the U.S. healthcare system as well as the skills needed to navigate this system and build local support networks, increasing client agency and connection. The Health Navigator will do this by providing an individualized “deep-dive” into U.S. healthcare norms and expectations through personal health orientation sessions as well helping clients navigate specific barriers and needs related to their health and the U.S. healthcare system
Responsibilities:Essential Duties as Navigator
- Conduct one-on-one extended healthcare orientation sessions with clients struggling to navigate the U.S. healthcare system This could be done in one sitting or in 2-3 sessions per client, as needed.
- Provide additional navigation support as needed; for example, assist a client in contacting their insurance plan to identify a local provider or help the client identify a local pharmacy with a review of prescription management.
- Receive referrals from other CWS programs and volunteers as well as community partners. Reach out to potential participants to explain program activities, benefits, and goals and conduct an initial assessment of client needs.
- Develop and conduct an enrollment and intake process with each client to confirm eligibility that also includes a pre- and post-program assessment to identify needs and track achievement of program goals. Maintain a digital case-note log for each client including a description of support activities and follow-up as well as a copy of eligibility documentation, case enrollment and all assessments.
- Tailor sessions to individual client or family based on needs identified by referral source and family in initial assessment. These could include information on preparing for a doctor’s visit, managing follow-up, rights and responsibilities, nutrition and healthy eating, hygiene, healthy coping strategies, insurance navigation, and medication management.
- Identify and work with local volunteers to provide interpretation support as needed.
- Provide clients with referrals to other CWS programs or community resources as needed.
- Work closely with Health and Family Wellness Services Supervisor to monitor and evaluate program progress and implementation; identify and evaluate any promising practices to be shared with other affiliates. Assist in program tracking and reporting in accordance with requirements of program funders.
- Provide program updates and highlights to fellow team members during check-ins and staff meetings.
- Assist supervisor with data reporting to funders, as well as data gathering for monitoring purposes.
Common Duties:
- Effectively coordinate and work in tandem with other service providers to assist refugee clients, avoid duplication of services, and maximize efficiency.
- Effectively use technology to maximize efficiency and quality of work during intake, needs assessments, and data entry.
- Advocate for equal access to services for refugees and immigrants.
- Keep informed about refugee and immigrant issues and available services to clients, using current information to better identify and serve refugee and immigrant clients.
- Attend weekly meetings with supervisor and other agency staff.
- Undertake other duties as assigned.
Education:
Associate degree or bachelor’s degree is preferred. Experience working in refugee resettlement or social justice field is preferred.
Experience/Background:
Minimum of 2 years work experience and interest in refugee resettlement or other direct social services. Ability to provide culturally sensitive counseling and support is required. Candidates from refugee groups or candidates with background in healthcare navigation, counseling, or social work are strongly preferred.
Other Skills:
English fluency is required. Fluency in a refugee language such as Dari, Pashto, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Haitian Creole, or Spanish is preferred along with superior written and verbal communication skills. The successful candidate must be computer literate, with proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, and Access) and internet applications. Strong organizational and time management skills are required. Must be able to maintain a flexible schedule during weekdays to accommodate both early and later evening appointments as necessary.
Applying Instructions: Visit cwsglobal.org and click on the Employment link to find this position application. Inclusion of a cover letter and a current resume are required.
Special Requirements:- Must have access to reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license with insurable record.
- Must be able to keep a clean driving record.
