Title: Health Worker

State Role Title: Direct Service Associate III

Hiring Range: $21.88 - $26.88

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location: Cent Shen-August/Staunton

Agency Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Responsible for independently identifying and contacting persons known or suspected of being exposed to or at high risk of exposure to communicable diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C and others. Duties include alerting people to their health risks, behavior changes needed to reduce risks to the individual or to others, resources and methods available to treat and control the disease as well as to contain further transmission of disease. Follows up on contacts to determine if they have received treatment, changed their behavior to reduce health risk, and procured other available services as necessary to ensure improved health care.

In addition, serves as a liaison between the community and healthcare services. This position focuses on providing culturally sensitive care and communication, especially to priority populations. Other key responsibilities include facilitating health improvement initiatives, health promotion and education, the development and support of health programs, and being an essential component of the harm reduction program by supporting current harm reduction efforts and supporting the implementation of new opioid abatement strategies. This role plays a critical role in disease and substance use prevention activities, capacity building, and service coordination. They are also involved in program evaluation to assess effectiveness and community impact. This role collaborates with community networks and partners to identify, prioritize, and implement public health initiatives, such as harm reduction strategies that have the greatest potential for positive impact.

This position requires strong community engagement skills, the ability to navigate and coordinate services, and a commitment to fostering health equity and improving the overall well-being of the population.

This is a grant funded position for this fiscal year with the potential for the next 4 years

Minimum Qualifications

• Community Health Worker (CHW) certification, or the ability to obtain one after hire
• Knowledge of and/or experience in public health practices, HIV, STIs (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis), HBV/HCV, and other communicable diseases
• Knowledge of Social Determinants of Health: Knowledge of the various social, economic, and environmental factors that influence individual and community health, including disparities in access to resources and services.
• Knowledge of Mental/Behavioral Health: Familiarity with the impact of mental and behavioral health on physical health outcomes, including an understanding of common mental health issues and how they intersect with physical health needs.
• Knowledge of Public Health Principles: Basic knowledge of public health practices, epidemiology, disease prevention, health promotion, and social service systems, including the roles of government agencies and community organizations in addressing health needs.
• Knowledge of Harm Reduction Principles: Basic knowledge of evidence-based harm reduction principles including the nine core abatement strategies.
• Community Experience: Experience working with priority or underserved communities, with an understanding of relevant unique challenges and resources.
• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, community members, and stakeholders. Strong team collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary environment
• Effective Communication and Cultural Competency: Ability to listen, understand and empathize in a culturally sensitive manner, and use motivational skills to build rapport with clients and engagement in disease intervention services; ability to work with diverse populations in diverse settings; develop and make presentations. Effective oral and written communication; organizational; and decision-making skills
• Critical Thinking: Ability to recognize, analyze and solve problems; conduct accurate data entry; maintain confidentiality; comply with program and data security policies and procedures; and work independently during various hours and settings (e.g., field, non-clinical and clinical, office)
• Technology Proficiency: Possess skill or knowledge of case management; basic computer knowledge/skills, including word processing, electronic mail and data base management
• Travel Requirements: Maintain a current and valid driver’s license

Additional Considerations

· Experience working in a social service, public health, or healthcare environment
· Previous experience in a public health or community-based agency environment, harm reduction, mental health or substance use recovery programs, with familiarity in coordinating services and supporting public health initiatives.
· Peer Recovery Support Specialist certification or ability to obtain one after hire.
· Bilingual in English and Spanish

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

VDH accepts only on-line applications. Faxed, mailed, or e-mailed applications will not be considered. Applications are accepted until 11:55 p.m. on the job closing date. Applications and/or resumes should include relevant work history which indicates your qualifications for this position. Supplemental questions are encouraged to be answered in a comprehensive manner and reference any pertinent knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as any previous experience that relates to the position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, driving, background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.

Contact Information

Name: Angie Mueller

Phone: 540-332-7830

Email: angie.mueller@vdh.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.