Bilingual Public Health Worker 3 – Clinical Preventive Services – Marshallese / Chuukese Language

Overview

This recruitment has been reopened for additional applicants and will remain open until filled. If you have already applied for recruitment #548-2024-2, you do not need to reapply. New applicants are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible as this recruitment may close at any time without further notice.

Marion County Health and Human Services Public Health Division is seeking a dynamic individual with experience in culturally responsive programs. The ideal candidate should be passionate about working with clients of all backgrounds and ages in a friendly, non-judgmental, and comfortable atmosphere. All of our services are low-cost, evidence-based, and developmentally appropriate. This is a great opportunity to make a difference in the Marion County community. You will utilize your skills and talents to investigate tuberculosis cases in the field and by phone while working alongside nursing staff to provide clinical services to our clients. As part of this role, you will need to practice a customer-oriented approach and ensure that each patient openly receives the care and information they need professionally.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
Assures the health and social service needs of a specific population are being met primarily through community outreach, visits to other agencies, and direct contact with allied health provider offices. In partnership with a health professional, assists with case management functions. Provides information and education on health-related issues. May act as an interpreter for clients.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the general direction of a health services professional and/or supervisor, who assigns work, establishes goals and reviews the results obtained for overall effectiveness.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Supervision of other employees is not a responsibility of positions in this class.

Typical Duties – Duties include, but are not limited to the following
This position provides services to monolingual Marshallese/Chuukese-speaking clients; therefore, fluent bilingual Marshallese/Chuukese/English skills are required.

• Actively participates with TB team to establish an effective local TB control program.  This will focus on Directly Observed Therapy (DOT), case finding activities, clinic procedures daily TB huddle and weekly TB/STD Case Review sessions.
• Drives to and delivers directly observed therapy medications to clients in home and office. Observes clients take medications.  Reports pertinent information such as medication side effects to nurse or Health Officer as soon as possible.
• May pick up and transport specimens, run errands and transport clients as directed.
• May enter TB testing and treatment information into ORPHEUS as time allows if DS unable to enter.
• Interprets and/or translates as indicated.
• Public Health Nurse initiates interviews with all assigned TB (Tuberculosis) cases within 48 hours of assignment.  Interview will assess need for TB screening of contacts and start contact identification of contacts if indicated.
  PHW may be present at initial interview and assist to locate contacts, refers them to the TB Team and conducts TB testing per standing orders under general direction of Supervisor, Public Health Nurse and Health Officer.
• Performs and evaluates TST (Tuberculin Skin Test) and performs phlebotomy in the field or in the office as indicated per Marion County Health and Human Services standing orders. Children contacts under the age of five are given priority for testing and evaluation.
• Maintains knowledge of community resources to meet client needs.
• Assists to identify patient incentives and enablers to assure completion of therapy for cases of active TB and high-risk contacts (with special emphasis on children) in Marion County
• May occasionally the CDI team with STD Investigation and Partner Services under direction of PHN
• May assist CDI team by conducting home visits or delivering letters.
• Receives reports of STD’s that require an interview and public health follow-up.
• Effectively utilize telephone calls, text messaging and letters to confidentially locate individuals with a reported STI.
• Interview individuals diagnosed with reportable STD to identify others at risk for infection.
• Provide client centered counseling on reducing risks of acquiring STDs in the future.
• Coordinate referrals for other services as appropriate.
• If appropriate make appointments for sex partners to be seen at a county health department clinic.
• Assists Health Officer with syphilis staging appointments.
• Coordinates with the CDI and PH Clinic PHNs to gather pertinent information prior to appointment.
• Perform health screening: height, weight, urinalysis, pregnancy tests, and blood pressure.
• Support clients during phlebotomy procedures and perform phlebotomy.
• Help process labs and complete lab paperwork.
• Conduct designated client interviews and obtain pertinent medical and social information.
• Complete related charting in a timely manner.
• Assist with proper cleaning and decontamination of lab and exam rooms.
• Assist with interpretation as needed.
• Assist with HIV outreach events and testing.
• Perform Rapid HIV/HCV/syphilis testing.
• Assists RN to collect lab specimens, blood draw, urine, swabs.
• Completes lab paperwork.
• Adds client label/labs to Lab Log
• Order labs.
• Assists RNPHW3 to check temperatures every hour for Rapid HIV/HCV/syphilis test kits and Rapid HIV/HCV/syphilis test controls.
• Engages with people at the event site to encourage testing.
• Occasionally flexes schedule to provide services outside of normal Monday-Friday 0800-1700 business hours.
• Serve as backup for specimen packing.
• Other job duties as assigned by your supervisor.

Response Level 2: In the event of an emergency, employee makes a reasonable effort to report to work. Employee may be required to perform duties outside of their regularly assigned duties. Employee may be requested to work an extended or flexible schedule. Staff at this response level must complete Incident Command System 100 and 700 on-line or in-person training.

Requirements for the Position
EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING

• Graduation from high school or GED; AND
• Associate degree in social sciences, a health occupation, mental health or related field, with two (2) years’ experience in community health, medical, mental health, or alcohol/drug services or other related fields; OR
• Four (4) years in community health, medical, mental health or alcohol/drug services or related advocacy, health education or other related fields with the culture of the population being served, OR
• Any satisfactory combination of work, education, training, or experience relevant to the position, as determined by Marion County.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

This position provides services to monolingual Marshallese/Chuukese-speaking clients; therefore, fluent bilingual Marshallese/Chuukese/English skills are required. An additional 5% will be added to the hourly wage as compensation for this skill. Finalist will be required to pass a verbal and written Standardized Language Fluency Assessment as part of the hiring process.

Must possess a current driver’s license in the applicant’s state of residence and an acceptable driving history.  Marion County will obtain a copy of the driving record for all qualified applicants from Driver and Motor Vehicle Services and review the driving record according to the Marion County policy and procedure for Driving on County Business.  The policy can be found at:  http://apps.co.marion.or.us/APAP/ .

The finalist for this position will be required to pass a criminal history background check; however, conviction of a crime may not necessarily disqualify an individual for this position.

This position may be subject to the following:  Must not be excluded from participation in the federal health care programs (Medicaid, Medicare and other federally funded programs that provide health benefits); AND must not be excluded from participating in federal procurement (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and non-procurement activities (Executive Order No. 12549).

This is a safety sensitive/special needs position. Final candidates selected for this position will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screen, including testing for marijuana. The Marion County Drug and Alcohol Use and Testing Policy can be found at: http://apps.co.marion.or.us/APAP/policy.aspx?p=policy&pid=518.
This assignment is represented by a union.
This is a full-time position, which is eligible for overtime.
Typical Work Schedule:  Monday through Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, with flexibility depending upon the needs of the department and program.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of the culture of the clients being served, and language, for bilingual positions, social services and community resources.

Skills and ability to communicate clearly and effectively with clients, staff and the public; possess good decision making and advocacy skills; practice successful negotiation and persuasion skills; match resources with needs; develop meaningful therapeutic relationships with clients; relate well to a wide variety of people of varying ages, socioeconomic backgrounds and needs; apply concepts of cultural sensitivity; exercise independent judgment and make decision within established policies and procedures; prepare and present effective written and verbal reports; relate effectively with community agencies and resources and to function as a team member; act in a professional manner and maintain professional working relationships; operate effectively computer software and other office equipment; possess strong coping skills necessary to deal with frustrating situations or difficult clients; work hours conducive to reaching the identified population, which may include evenings and weekends.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Operates a motor vehicle; sees using depth perception; stands; sits; moves about the work area; bends forward; lifts up to 20 lbs. (lifts, pushes, pulls and carries can be combined if same weight amounts) operates a keyboard; speaks clearly and audibly; reads a 12 pt. font; hears a normal (or whispered) level of speech; works in areas that may be exposed to heat, cold, humidity, dust, chemicals, and works in areas that may be uneven.
PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS
Marion County is a qualifying public employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.  Through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, full-time employees working at the County may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan.  Questions about your loan eligibility should be directed to your loan servicer or the US Department of Education.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE
Applicants are eligible to use Veterans’ Preference when applying with Marion County in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230, and 408.235 and OAR 105-040-0010 and 105-040-0015.  Preference will be awarded only if the applicant meets the minimum requirements of the position and attaches the required documentation at the time of application.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR VETERANS’ PREFERENCE

One of the following:

MEMBER COPY 4 of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215); OR
Letter from the US Department of Veterans Affairs indicating receipt of a non-service connected pension; OR
Certification that discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate.
In addition to one of the above documents, Disabled Veterans must also submit one of the following:A copy of their Veterans disability preference letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs; OR
Certification that medical separation from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate.
You can request copies of your military service record through the National Archives website at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/

Marion County is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Veteran and Disability employer committed to increasing the diversity of its workforce.
Agency: Marion County
Address: PO BOX 14500, Salem, Oregon, 97309
Phone: (503) 566-3949

Website
https://www.co.marion.or.us/HR/Pages/jobs.aspx