Health Educator/Senior Health Educator

Arapahoe County•Aurora, CO

4d•$27 - $45

About The Position

The Health Educator educates about harm reduction, care and prevention services for at-risk populations throughout Arapahoe County’s Public Health service area. This hands-on position is driven to make a different in people experiencing homelessness, mental health challenged, and syringe-dependent/drug addicted communities by meeting clients where they are to conduct disease and harm-reduction testing and providing support without bias.

Requirements

Proficiency in basic medical equipment, field testing equipment human samples, PPEs and computer skills
Demonstrates good judgment in selecting methods and techniques for obtaining solutions.
Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing to provide scientifically supported, data-driven, educational, persuasive presentations and documents for internal and external audiences.
Ability to utilize appropriate methods for interacting sensitively, effectively, and professionally with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds, and persons of all ages and lifestyle preferences.
Ability to maintain productivity standards and practice effective time management and prioritization of tasks, as well as manage resources (time, materials, staff) in a cost-effective manner
Ability to see, hear and respect diverse perspectives in work groups and collaborative efforts
Accountability
Accessibility
Inclusivity
Integrity
Bachelor’s degree in public health, nursing, social work, or a related field
2+ years direct, personal experience in grassroots efforts, health outreach, or public health serving communities affected by homelessness
Any equivalent combination of education and work experience that satisfy the requirements of the job will be considered.
Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.
This position requires reliable transportation to travel to locations throughout the Metro Denver area on an as-needed basis.

Responsibilities

Meet patients in the field, directly interface with specific communities and people experiencing homelessness, drug use, and mental health challenges, listen and understand needs, educates clients to reduce harms of drug use, Hep C and HIV.
Provide clients linkages to care and prevention services, including no-cost medications, emergency financial assistance, housing, and/or food.
Proficiently serve as program educator internal and external customers. Provides training and presentations to community groups and individuals.
Screens, tests, and provides counseling, education, outreach, and harm reduction/opiod overdose prevention for specific disease and illness related clients.
Uses empathy to relate to population and their specific demographics and situations. Maintains client confidentiality.
Proficiently addresses and remediates client personal harm by providing programs that address syringe use.
Educates clients on proper syringe use and needle return programs.
Maintains an accurate accounting of all outreach activities performed.
Participates in HIV STI Prevention and Outreach Program outreach activities and client special events, including evenings and weekends as needed.
Serves as a program liaison to individuals, related agencies and providers, and community groups, seeking HIV/STI/Hepatitis C Prevention services, which requires thorough knowledge of program services, policies and procedures, and applicable laws. Conducts necessary research to respond to inquiries.
Plans, coordinates, and implements condoms and other risk reduction materials distribution.
Provides administrative support as assigned for the Program. Handles confidential matters and collects information as requested for the use of the Program staff. Filing, typing, and answering phones in support of daily Program functions. Maintains files and records.
Enters data into and maintains computer systems or databases. Proofs data entry and corrects errors. Runs standard reports as required.
Maintains temperature control logs for test kits, controls and labs.
Helps manage the program website, social media, and newsletter activities.
Responds, as required, to support public health emergencies, incidents, and events. Employee participates in all exercises and drills on emergency preparedness and response, as required. Completes trainings identified as appropriate for this level employee and initiates corrective actions and responses pursuant to Federal, State, and Local laws, statutes, and regulations.