Employment

WHO WE ARE:
The Wood County Health Department has a great passion for helping the members of our community. As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality services is a shared goal across all departments. If you have a passion to help the members of our community, please consider joining our team!

WHAT WE OFFER:
In addition to who we are, Wood County team members are offered competitive salaries, flexible schedules, and excellent benefits, including:
*Health Insurance - we offer low premiums and low deductibles, with excellent coverage!
*Dental Insurance
*Vision Insurance
*Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) - This is one of the best-funded public pension plans in the U.S.!
*457 deferred compensation plan
*Vacation and Sick Time - Start accruing for both on your first day!
*10 Paid Holidays
*Flexible Spending Account to set aside pre-tax dollars for childcare and medical expenses
*Life Insurance
*Short and Long-Term Disability
*Wellness Incentive Plan
*Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

Purpose of the Position
The Community Health Worker (CHW) will be responsible for developing community partnerships, leading outreach efforts, and helping families navigate and access community services, other resources, and adopt healthy behaviors. The Parents as Teachers CHW will deliver evidence-based home visiting services to provide education, assessment, and develop a care plan with families enrolled in the program. The CHW will work closely with medical providers, healthcare teams, and other community agencies to improve access to services and improve community health outcomes. The CHW will advocate for individuals and community health needs and assist in providing services, including home visits and health screenings.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive.  Other duties may be required and assigned.
1.    Promote maternal and child health.
2.    Provide evidence-based home visiting services as outlined in Parents as Teachers program policies and procedures.
3.    Conduct appropriate screenings and assessments.
4.    Promote community action and garner support and resources from community organizations to implement new activities.
5.    Act as a liaison between the family and community agencies to facilitate communication and coordinate services.
6.    Build and maintain positive working relationships with the clients, providers, case managers, community resources, agency representatives, supervisors and office staff.
7.    Effectively work with people (staff, clients, doctors, agencies, etc.) from diverse backgrounds in reducing cultural and socioeconomic barriers between clients and institutions.
8.    Convey the purposes and services of a program to the target population and the impact that program or service would have.
9.    Participate in outreach efforts to recruit eligible families to participate in the program.
10.    Establish positive, supportive relationships with clients and seek feedback.
11.    Assist clients in accessing health related services.
12.    Follow-up with clients via phone calls, home visits and visits to other settings where clients can be found.
13.    Help clients utilize resources, including making phone calls, scheduling appointments, and assisting with completion of applications for programs for which they may be eligible.
14.    Document activities, service plans, and results in an effective manner while strictly adhering to the policies and procedures in place.
15.    Be knowledgeable about community resources appropriate to the target population’s needs.
16.    Continuously expand knowledge and understanding of community resources, services and programs provided.
17.    Exhibit excellent working relations with patients, visitors and staff, effectively communicating the Wood County Health Department’s mission, vision, and core values.
18.    Understand performance management and program performance measures, and identify opportunities for quality improvement.
19.    Must be familiar with and exemplify the Wood County Core Values and serve with courtesy and respect in accordance with the Wood County Code of Conduct.
20.    Responsible to know and practice the Safety policies of the County.  Perform all job tasks in a safe and prescribed manner.

Other Duties
1.    Help clients in utilizing resources, including answering phones, scheduling appointments, and assisting with completion of applications for programs for which they may be eligible.
2.    Participates in improving agency performance, processes, programs, and interventions through continuous quality improvement.
3.    Assumes responsibility for own professional growth and development by pursuing education, participating in professional committees and work groups and contributing to a work environment where continual improvements in practice are pursued.
4.    Attend regular staff meetings, trainings and other meetings as assigned.
5.    Reports to work as called in 24/7 in a public health crisis or emergency and performs public health emergency response duties as assigned and consistent with training provided.
6.    Participate as part of the Incident Command Structure in planning, training, and exercising for emergencies; includes annual respirator fit testing.
7.    Works to support the mission of the department and adheres to the core values as described in the most current agency strategic plan.
8.    Responsible to know and practice the Safety Policies of the County. Perform all job tasks in a safe and prescribed manner.
9.    Performs other duties as assigned consistent with job classification.

Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job Functions
High school graduate or equivalent. Associate Degree in a health-related field preferred. One to two years community health experience preferred. Two years’ experience working with children required. Possession of a valid driver’s license, as well as a licensed and insured automobile are required; or other means of reliable transportation immediately available to candidate. Proficiency in Spanish language interpretation and translation preferred. Must successfully complete Parents as Teachers (national) Parent Educator Certification requirements within six months of hire.