Summary
Community Health Services assures the provision of clinical health care services in King County through policy and planning work with partners and through the direct provision of clinical services. Community Health Services include parent-child health services, preventive and primary care services, oral health, homeless health care, youth health services, Integrated Behavioral Health services, outreach, WIC, refugee services, Access and Outreach, Black Community Equity Team, children's health services, dental clinics and other resources, Sexual and Reproductive Health, Emergency Medical Services, food insecurity screening, health insurance navigation, Health services for the homeless, immunization, Public Health Centers, resources for child care facilities, school health and teen health, and pharmacy services.
Do you have experience serving pregnant/parenting individuals, infants, and families with a commitment to racial and social justice? Do you enjoy working collaboratively with coworkers, colleagues and partners to facilitate the care of clients? Are you interested in putting your skills to work to make a difference in your community? Are you passionate about empowering clients, experience in navigating systems, have great listening and communication skills, possess cultural humility/cultural responsiveness, education and outreach skills, organization and documentation skills and understanding of public health? If so, this is the job for you!
The Department of Public Health has an opening for a Community Health Worker (CHW) to join a vibrant, multi-disciplinary, and diverse team at Federal Way and Midway Public Health Centers to deliver First Steps services. The Community Health Worker is an important member of the First Steps team. The First Steps program serves individuals and families with diverse backgrounds and needs at a variety of Public Health and community locations, including client homes. The program functions as a multidisciplinary team comprised of Dietitians, Public Health Nurses, Community Health Workers, and Social Workers.
The First Steps program provides health education, case management, referrals, and service linkages to qualifying individuals with Medicaid coverage to promote pregnancy, birth, and early childhood health outcomes. The CHW collaborates and coordinates with nurses, social workers, nutritionists, interpreters, and other CHWs to deliver health education and preventative health services to Medicaid-eligible and qualifying pregnant and post-pregnant individuals, infants, and their families from a broad range of cultures, communities, backgrounds, and experiences, including people experiencing homelessness and mental illnesses. This position supports and advances the Community Health Services Division's values for fair and culturally-competent service delivery; innovative, effective, and efficient application of resources; and a culture of performance, expanding opportunities to seek input, listen, and respond to clients. The successful candidate will maintain positive relationships with our clients; demonstrate flexibility in managing schedules that meets client needs; be proficient in verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills; exhibit a constructive and collaborative attitude in challenging situations; think critically and make informed decisions; be attentive to details; and conduct themselves in a professional manner, abiding by all confidentiality requirements.
Commitment To Equity and Social Justice
Named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant international community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the traditions of many cultures.
The county government has a deep commitment to equity and social justice and advancing practices, strategies, and policies that promote fairness, justice, and opportunity for all – in our workplaces and our communities. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda to advance regional change and ensure that residents from all communities are incorporated into our emergency planning and public outreach efforts.
We recognize that structural racism consists of principles and practices that cause and justify an inequitable distribution of rights, opportunities, and experiences across racial groups. Since declaring Racism is a Public Health Crisis in June 2020, King County and Public Health committed to being intentionally anti-racist and accountable to Black, Indigenous and People of Color communities.
To learn more, please visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/elected/executive/equity-social-justice.aspx
Work Schedule
This is a full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hours per week) Career Service opportunity. Workdays and hours will vary based on business needs. Currently
8:00-5:00 Monday - Friday with some Saturdays or evening hours to meet client/business needs.
Work Location
This position's main sites are Federal Way and Midway Public Health Centers.
Federal Way Public Health Center is located at
33431 13th PL S, Federal Way, WA 98003 and
Midway is located at 26401 Pacific Highway South, Des Moines, WA 98198. The candidate may work in the field and at various King County Public Health Centers and satellite offices based on business need. The candidate must have the ability to travel to sites throughout King County.
Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Job Duties
- Approach all services and interactions with clients, the public, and co-workers from a foundation of equity and social justice.
- Provide First Steps – Maternity Support Services (MSS) – to pregnant and post-pregnant individuals, and infants representing a diverse client population according to program policies.
- Provide services in Public Health clinics, partner community clinics, and at alternate sites as desired by client, such as client home, shelters, libraries, or other community locations.
- Work closely in conjunction with WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) services.
- Engage and screen clients for social, medical, nutritional, and psychological determinants of health, status, and history.
- Create, implement, and document care plans developed through nutrition assessment using the electronic health record.
- Assess the changing needs of primarily pregnant, post-pregnant, breastfeeding/chest-feeding individuals, and infants.
- Coordinate care with team members and other health care providers. Make referrals to appropriate services; provide and document case management in an electronic health record.
- Provide accurate health and safety information using established messages on topics such as, but not limited to, birth control methods, breastfeeding/chest-feeding, and car seat safety.
- Listen to and support clients. Adapt health information based on clients’ priorities, cultural beliefs, and value systems.
- Maintain information on community resources. Inform clients of available resources and make referrals. Coach clients in how to access community resources, including Medicaid-reimbursable services.
- Provide services to at least 6-8 clients per day. Document these services in compliance with detailed program requirements & timelines and in an electronic health record.
- Document client information and services and manage appointment schedules in the Epic electronic health record.
- Communicate clearly and effectively with clients and coworkers, verbally and in writing, and with the assistance of in- person and phone interpreters, as needed.
- Use multiple computer programs in the provision of client-centered services and in daily work, including electronic charting and Office365.
- Ability to work with a variety of computer programs, including but not limited to, Microsoft Suite – Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams.
- Ability to lift and lower a child weighing up to 35 pounds onto a surface more than 4 feet high with or without accommodation.
- Any other duties as assigned.
Ideal Candidate
Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Demonstrated experience advancing equity and social justice principles and practices that address the effects of place, race, policy, and systemic inequities on communities and populations.
- Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent to fulfill Washington Health Care Authority’s First Steps requirements for Community Health Workers.
- A minimum of 1 year of health care or social services experience.
- Ability to lift and lower a child weighing up to 35 pounds onto a surface more than 4 feet high with or without accommodation.
- Ability to travel in a timely manner within King County to locations that may have limited access to public transportation.
- Experience providing health and/or human services to pregnant/post-pregnant individuals and infants.
- Fluency in other language(s), in addition to English.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully perform several tasks simultaneously, meet deadlines and work under strict time constraints while remaining flexible to changing work responsibilities based on staffing.
- Public Health relies on computer technology and web-based tools; candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use and programs, such as Microsoft Office Suite and electronic health records, to perform work.
- Ability to maintain positive interpersonal interactions with clients and co-workers as a member of a multi-disciplinary public health team with a diverse, multi-cultural population, and working in a fast-paced environment.
Desired Candidate
- Familiarity with Epic electronic health record (EHR).
- Work experience providing First Steps (Maternity Support Services).
- Established knowledge of local health and social service resources available in the community and skill in establishing and maintaining working relationships with community partners, such as food banks and community housing.
- One-year full-time experience working with community members.
- Commitment to equity and social justice principles and serving clients with cultural humility.
- Experience establishing relationships with clients and making them feel comfortable with providers and services.
- Experience teaching key educational messages to individuals and groups.
- Ability to summarize and document information from client interactions according to program requirements and deadlines. Ability to document information in computer system with attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy.
- Ability to act as a cultural liaison and broker for communities most affected by disparities. Desired:
- Bilingual and/or bicultural, English/Spanish or other language commonly spoken by our clients.
- Experience providing First Steps Services – Maternity Support Services.
Supplemental Information
Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
Who May Apply
This position is open to both internal and external applicants.
Application Process
The following items are required to be considered for this vacancy:
- NeoGov Job Application (The responses on your job application should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
- Supplemental Questions (The responses to the supplemental questions should be thorough and complete and will be used in the screening process)
- Resume
Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.
Necessary Special Requirements
- The selection process may include evaluation of application materials and supplemental questions, interviewing, and testing. You must completely fill out the application with your relevant education and work experience.
- The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of Basic Life Support (BLS) / CPR ( if applicable).
- The selected candidate must be able to pass a thorough background investigation, but findings may not necessarily disqualify an applicant for employment. (and Pre-employment Physical, if applicable).
- For more information on our selection process, please refer to www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/jobs/hiring. For tips on interviewing, please visit https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/audience/employees/learning-and-development/Interview_Tips.ashx?la=en.
- Employees are required to protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined in State and Federal Law.
- Public Health relies on office automation (Microsoft Office) and web-based enabled tools, therefore candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with on-going work.
- Employees are required to adhere to OSHA/WISHA guidelines including but not limited to completing their mandatory trainings on time and obtaining required immunizations.
- Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all Public Health positions.
- When Public Health responds to an emergency, and in accordance with relevant CBA language and/or KC policy and procedures, we may assign duties outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends, with possible deployment to locations other than the department.
- If you need a disability accommodation in the application or testing process, please call the contact number listed on the job announcement.
Union Membership
ProTec 17
Contact
For more information about the application process please contact Alexis Owens atAlowens@kingcounty.gov
Benefits
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what’s best for themselves and their eligible dependents
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 12 paid holidays each year plus two personal holidays
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental, family and medical, and volunteer leaves
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite activity centers
- Employee Giving Program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page.
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
01
How many years of experience do you have in healthcare or human services
- No Experience - 0 yrs
- 1-2 yrs of experience
- 3-4 yes of experience
- 5+ years of expereince
02
Please describe your experience in working with multi-cultural people and experience working with people going through life stressors.
03
Do you have a valid Washington Driver’s License and the ability to travel on a flexible schedule?
04
Describe how you approach your work with clients.
05
Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? AND Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? AND Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my Career Service role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
06
If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff
