COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER (CHW) Opioid Education, Naloxone Distribution & Community Outreach

COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER (CHW)
Opioid Education, Naloxone Distribution & Community Outreach
Department:
Position Type: Full-Time
Reports To:

Position Summary
The Community Health Worker (CHW) will support Delta Health Center, Inc. (DHC) in implementing community-based opioid education, overdose prevention, fentanyl test strip (FTXS) distribution, and naloxone education and distribution activities throughout DHC's six-county service area.
The CHW will plan, coordinate, schedule, and conduct public outreach and patient education activities at all of DHC's primary care clinics and within communities served by DHC. The CHW will provide evidence-based opioid education and overdose prevention information and conduct one-on-one and small-group Opioid Education and Naloxone Distribution (OEND) sessions for friends and family members of individuals with diagnosed or suspected opioid use disorder (OUD).
The CHW will serve as a community-facing representative of DHC and will establish relationships with patients, families, community organizations, schools, faith-based organizations, local agencies, and other community partners to increase awareness of opioid-related risks and available prevention and harm-reduction resources.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Community Outreach & Education
• Plan, coordinate, schedule, and conduct a minimum of 24 public outreach and education events during the 12-month project period.
• Conduct outreach activities at all of DHC's primary care clinics and throughout the organization's six-county service area.
• Develop and maintain an annual outreach calendar identifying target communities, locations, partner organizations, and educational activities.
• Provide education regarding the dangers of opioids and other substances that may be contaminated with illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF).
• Conduct educational presentations for patients, families, community groups, faith-based organizations, schools, civic organizations, and other appropriate audiences.
• Adapt educational materials and presentations to meet the needs of different populations and literacy levels.
• Promote awareness of opioid use disorder, overdose prevention, treatment resources, recovery services, and available community resources.
• Participate in health fairs, community events, mobile health activities, clinic-based events, and other outreach opportunities.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with community partners to expand DHC's outreach capacity.
FTXS Distribution
• Distribute fentanyl test strips (FTXS) during public outreach and patient education activities in accordance with program requirements and organizational policies.
• Make FTXS available to DHC patients and attendees at public outreach events who request them.
• Provide appropriate education regarding the purpose, use, limitations, and safe handling of FTXS.
• Maintain accurate records of FTXS inventory, distribution, and replenishment.
• Monitor inventory levels and communicate supply needs to the appropriate supervisor.
• Ensure distribution activities comply with applicable DHC policies, grant requirements, and applicable laws and regulations.
Opioid Education & Naloxone Distribution (OEND)
• Provide one-on-one and small-group OEND sessions for friends and family members of individuals with diagnosed or suspected OUD.
• Provide OEND to eligible DHC patients and attendees at public outreach events.
• Educate participants regarding opioid overdose risks, recognizing signs of an overdose, emergency response, and the role of naloxone.
• Provide naloxone education and distribution in accordance with DHC policies, program requirements, and applicable laws.
• Encourage participants to discuss treatment and recovery resources with individuals experiencing OUD when appropriate.
• Provide referrals to appropriate behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment, primary care, and community resources.
• Maintain a respectful, nonjudgmental, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approach when working with individuals and families affected by substance use.
Patient & Community Navigation
• Serve as a trusted link between patients, families, DHC providers, and community resources.
• Assist individuals and families in identifying appropriate healthcare, behavioral health, substance use treatment, and social-service resources.
• Provide appropriate referrals and follow-up to support connection to services.
• Assist patients with navigating barriers to care when appropriate and within the scope of the CHW role.
• Maintain confidentiality and protect patient information in accordance with HIPAA and DHC policies.
Grant Documentation & Reporting
• Maintain accurate documentation of all outreach, education, FTXS distribution, OEND, naloxone distribution, referrals, and other grant-related activities.
• Track progress toward grant goals, objectives, and performance measures.
• Maintain participant attendance and outreach documentation as required.
• Prepare timely reports for the supervisor and Planning & Development Department.
• Assist with collecting quantitative and qualitative data necessary for grant reporting and program evaluation.
• Document community partnerships and outreach activities.
• Ensure grant deliverables are completed within established timelines.
• Identify barriers to achieving program objectives and communicate concerns to the supervisor promptly.
Grant Performance Expectations
The CHW will support DHC in achieving the following project deliverables:
Goal 1 – Public and Patient Education:  Provide public outreach and patient education designed to increase awareness of the dangers associated with opioids and other substances that may be contaminated with illicitly manufactured fentanyl.
Performance Objective: DHC will provide a minimum of 24 outreach and public education events during the 12-month project period at its 11 primary care clinics and throughout its six-county service area.
Goal 2 – FTXS Distribution:  Provide FTXS during public and patient education activities.
Performance Objective: DHC will distribute FTXS to all DHC patients and public outreach event attendees who request them, consistent with program requirements.
Goal 3 – OEND:  Provide opioid education and naloxone distribution to friends and family members of individuals with diagnosed or suspected OUD.
Performance Objective: DHC will provide OEND to all eligible attendees at public outreach events and DHC patients who are friends or family members of individuals with diagnosed or suspected OUD.
Qualifications
Required
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience working with patients, families, community members, or vulnerable populations.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to conduct public presentations and small-group educational sessions.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to travel throughout DHC's six-county service area.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation and meet grant reporting deadlines.
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA requirements.
Preferred
• Community Health Worker certification.
• Experience working in a community health center, healthcare, public health, behavioral health, or social-service environment.
• Experience with opioid education, overdose prevention, harm reduction, naloxone distribution, or substance use disorder services.
• Previous experience working with grant-funded programs.
• Experience conducting community outreach, health education, or public presentations.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills, when applicable to the communities served.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
The successful candidate should demonstrate:
• Knowledge of community health and health-promotion principles.
• Understanding of opioid use disorder and overdose prevention.
• Ability to communicate sensitive health information in a respectful and understandable manner.
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills.
• Strong organizational and time-management abilities.
• Ability to build relationships with community partners.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Strong documentation and data-collection skills.
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Ability to manage multiple outreach activities and competing priorities.
• Commitment to reducing stigma associated with substance use disorder and increasing access to prevention and treatment resources.
Working Conditions
The position will require regular travel throughout DHC's six-county service area and may involve evening and weekend community events. The CHW will work in clinic, community, educational, faith-based, public-event, and other outreach settings.
The position requires frequent interaction with patients, families, community organizations, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders. The employee must be comfortable conducting presentations and outreach activities in a variety of community environments.

Requirements

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
  
• Experience working with patients, families, community members, or vulnerable populations.
  
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  
• Ability to conduct public presentations and small-group educational sessions.
  
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
  
• Ability to travel throughout DHC's six-county service area.
  
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation and meet grant reporting deadlines.
  
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
  
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA requirements.
  

Preferred

• Community Health Worker certification.
  
• Experience working in a community health center, healthcare, public health, behavioral health, or social-service environment.
  
• Experience with opioid education, overdose prevention, harm reduction, naloxone distribution, or substance use disorder services.
  
• Previous experience working with grant-funded programs.
  
• Experience conducting community outreach, health education, or public presentations.
  
• Bilingual or multilingual skills, when applicable to the communities served.
  

Working Conditions

The position will require regular travel throughout DHC's six-county service area and may involve evening and weekend community events. The CHW will work in clinic, community, educational, faith-based, public-event, and other outreach settings.

The position requires frequent interaction with patients, families, community organizations, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders. The employee must be comfortable conducting presentations and outreach activities in a variety of community environments.

Benefits

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching up to 3.5%
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off (vacation and sick leave)
• Vision insurance