Part-time COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER - Bronx Health Reach

Summary: The Part-Time Community Health Worker for the Bronx Health REACH Coalition will engage in community outreach and education in Bronx communities promoting access to healthcare, nutrition; disseminating information to immigrants about New York City Council’s funded Immigrant Health Initiative; encouraging Bronx residents to participate in NYC sponsored civic engagement initiatives; and other outreach as directed. S/he, under the supervision of the Project Director, will be responsible for direct community outreach and education at BHR’s grant funded community-based events.

*This is a part-time position (about 15 hours per week; schedule varies).*

The Institute for Family Health

The Institute for Family Health is a federally qualified health center network that has provided health care services in the Bronx since 1985.We currently serve over 100,000 patients at 27 locations, including five sites in the Bronx, offering primary care, mental health, dental care, and social work services to patients of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay. 

The Bronx Health REACH Coalition 

Since 1999, the Institute has led The Bronx Health REACH Coalition, which aims to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes in diabetes and heart disease in African American and Latino communities in the Bronx. The coalition includes community residents, community leaders, faith-based institutions, multi-sectorial community-based organizations and city agencies, healthcare providers, and social service agencies from across the Bronx. The project has an emphasis on policy, system and environmental changes, community outreach, health education, evaluation and dissemination. Towards a Healthier Bronx (THB) Towards a Healthier Bronx (THB) is a multi-sectorial effort to use evidence-based policy, systems and environmental (PSE) improvements to increase access to healthy food, healthy beverages, and opportunities for physical activity for residents across the Bronx but with a special focus on the South Bronx. The PSE changes achieved through the Coalition’s work will be augmented by robust communications and evaluation strategies designed to foster sustained community engagement, document impacts, and disseminate best practices.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Engage in direct community outreach and education to address health concerns, and to facilitate access to healthcare at IFH sites and other Bronx based health facilities;
• Connect community members with BHR/IFH staff to register for appointments at IFH health centers and other providers;
• Build partnerships with healthcare providers, community leaders and policy makers to increase their understanding of community needs and effective strategies to increase access to healthcare and opportunities for healthier lifestyles;
• Recruit and help train trusted messengers to disseminate science based information about health through their affiliated organizations and the community at large;
• Identify gaps in healthcare access, health information and programming services in Bronx high-need communities;
• Build partnerships with diverse faith and community-based organizations, government agencies and neighborhood businesses to disseminate information on mental health and to direct them to mental healthcare resources;
• Participate in ongoing community organizing and mobilizing to promote necessary policy and system level changes to address the socio-economic determinants of health;
• Additional duties as assigned by supervisor.

• High School diploma or GED required
• Undergraduate degree preferred
• Multi-lingual language skills especially Spanish/English, French/English preferred
• At least 3 years of successful, demonstrated experience in community outreach, engagement and education in historically underserved communities
• Familiarity with Bronx communities and neighborhoods a plus 
• Proficiency with computers including but not limited to MS Word, Excel, Power Point, the Internet, data base programs 
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
• Proven excellent verbal communication skills  
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including weekends and evenings as the need arises.
• Travel throughout the Bronx is required.