119 - Client Advocate

Job DetailsJob Location: Bronx, NY 10468Salary Range: $21.00 - $22.67 HourlyDepartment Overview: The Bronx Healthy Start program works to ensure that expecting and postpartum moms and babies up to the age of two are healthy, safe, and thriving. Healthy Start Program uses case management as the core service connecting mothers and their families to free and confidential screening and referral to medical services, voluntary home visitation and resources. The goal of the program is to improve birth outcomes and reduce infant and maternal morbidity and mortality. As a federally funded program, Healthy Start also seeks to preserve continuity of care and reduce disparities for women, children, and families.

Job Summary: The Healthy Start Client Advocate, Community Health worker (CHW), Client Advocate offers family centered and strength-based services to empower the family to meet their needs during the Healthy Start encounter. Has the ability to establish a trusting and respectful relationship with families and maintain boundaries while providing supportive services. A key responsibility of the CHW’s is to maintain accurate, complete documentation of family encounters. This data driven program requires some data entry, strong organizational skills, consistently meeting deadlines, and good stress management/ self-care skills. CHW is a team player, has the ability to work and make decisions independently with minimal supervision, following established policies.

Job Responsibilities

Under the professional supervision of the CHW Supervisor, the CHW will:

Outreach to identify (case finding) women of childbearing age– pregnant and parenting infants/toddlers up to 18 months of age, father’s/father figures/partners residing in the targeted project communities in need of ca se management intervention services.
Assist clients and their families with navigating and accessing community services.
 Provide informal counseling to clients on health issues related to diagnostic screenings, such as breast cancer screening, women’s health care services, dental hygiene, glaucoma tests, hypertension, diabetes, annual physicals, immunizations, diet and exercise, etc.
Assist clients with applying for social services including Medicaid and Women, Infants and Children, housing, day care, early intervention services, etc.
Actively promote the offering and arranging of family planning services
Inform clients on issues related to risk and prevention of situations such as prenatal substance abuse, child abuse, domestic violence, etc.
Complete a comprehensive care coordination needs assessment and care coordination plan on enrolled clients in need of case management services intervention.
Utilize electronic data system to enroll, refer and case manage participants and effectively manage caseload. Maintain updated client records with appropriate forms and pertinent information.
Ensure that families receiving case management services intervention access the health and social support services they need through appropriate referral linkages and tracking follow-up.
Conduct home visits and provide client advocacy at scheduled appointments whenever necessary.
Ability to relate to clients from multi-cultural backgrounds, ages and socio-economic circumstances.
Maintain an ongoing dialogue with the maternal/child health and social support services providers in the targeted service areas to strengthen professional linkages, thereby, decreasing the barriers clients experience in accessing and negotiating the service delivery system.
Coordinate and implement ma terna l/child health educational workshops to the project’s enrolled clients. Coordinate the procurement of community relevant maternal/child health education materials (pamphlets, videos, etc.).
Submit to the CHW Supervisor, a monthly narrative report and statistical data summary on the status of the clients receiving case management services intervention as well as bi-weekly case review/supervision.
Participate in regular reflective supervision and case reviews, staff meetings and staff development trainings.
Knowledge of local community organizations and services is desirable

QualificationsEducation

Associate’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, or a closely related field; or

High school diploma or equivalent with at least two years of prior experience working at a human services or healthcare agency.

Experience

At least one year of administrative experience, preferably in a healthcare setting.

Proficiency in routine administrative practices and demonstrated competence using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Proficiency with HRIS systems, such as Paycom, is strongly preferred.

Must be willing and able to learn and effectively use new software and technology as needed.

Several years of experience working with and/or providing services to children and families is required.

Interpersonal Skills

Must be able to communicate clearly, calmly, and effectively with all levels of staff and with the general public.

Must demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, and the ability to maintain positive working relationships.

Reasoning Ability

Must be able to think clearly and make sound decisions under pressure.

Must be able to interpret and follow guidelines established by organizational policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.

Language Skills

Must be fluent in English and able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.

Bilingual English-Spanish skills are a plus but are not required.

Mathematical Skills

Must be proficient in basic arithmetic functions, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and averages.

Physical Demands

Must be able to lift up to 5 pounds on a regular basis.

Must be able to occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.

Must be able to sit and/or stand for extended periods.