Logo

Community Health Outreach Worker (#RS4302)
$19.60-$23.82 Hourly / $3,396.57-$4,128.55 Monthly / $40,758.86-$49,542.65 Yearly




DEFINITION

Under general supervision, assists professional public health staff in implementing community programs and performs related work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

Incumbents in this class provide a range of investigative and field work for a variety of community based health programs under the direction of public health professionals and technical staff. Initially incumbents are provided comprehensive training with limited, structured assignments. With training, experience and demonstrated capacity, additional duties are assigned and work is performed with increased independence and initiative.

TYPICAL DUTIES

  • Assists various public health professionals and technical staff in providing a wide variety of services in the area community public health.
  • Assists in teaching basic health practices to clients and families, particularly in areas of communicable disease transmission, prevention and treatment; may assist in re-enforcing basic public health concepts of nutrition, hygiene, sanitation and related.
  • Assists in conducting field investigations to locate persons possibly infected or who test positive for communicable diseases, including HIV infection, and those with whom they have had contact; assists in providing follow-up counseling as to treatment options and resources available; makes referrals as appropriate.
  • Assists in interviewing, gathering and assembling related information and preparing reports; maintains appropriate records and files.
  • Translates various written material and instructions of other staff for non-English speaking clients and families; assists staff in working with clients of non-traditional cultural patterns and dealing with various cultural barriers.
  • Participates in development of programs and delivery of services for high-risk groups; provides information and counseling regarding HIV antibody and other communicable disease testing.
  • Provides basic community health and communicable disease education to clients, community groups, inmates, and interested persons.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER  PATTERN I

Experience:  One year as a Community Health Outreach Worker Trainee.

 

OR PATTERN II

Experience:  One year responsible work experience providing community based health services, working with community based organizations that provide health related services to culturally diverse groups or working with high risk groups in area of communicable diseases.

License:  Possession of a valid California Driver's License.

Special Requirements:   (If required by nature of assignment)

1. Must obtain an HIV pre and post-counseling certificate issued by State of California within one year of employment.

2. Ability to fluently speak, read and write Spanish or one of the Indo-Chinese languages.

3. Must obtain a Certified Phlebotomy Technician I certificate issued by the California State Department of Health Services within six months of assignment. 

4. Completion of a medical interpreter course approved by Health Care Services.

KNOWLEDGE

Basic individual and community public health needs and problems; public health organizations and resources; basic principles of human behavior; report writing, data gathering and record keeping practices; basic computer and modern office automation technology and computer software programs relevant to department operations; interviewing principles and practices; basic symptoms, detection and treatment methods of HIV infection and other communicable diseases;  basic principles and techniques of teaching and counseling.

ABILITY

Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with staff, the general public, and with culturally diverse or economically disadvantaged clients; learn a wide variety of public health programs and procedures; understand and follow technical written and oral directions; understand and work effectively with diverse cultural and ethnic groups; work with high risk groups and infected individuals; operate computers, office equipment and related software; make verbal presentations to highly diverse community groups; establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, clients and the general public.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Mobility-Frequent operation of a data entry device, repetitive motion, sitting for long periods, walking; occasional standing, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting; Lifting-Frequently 5 pounds or less; occasionally 5 to 30 pounds; Visual-Constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Hearing/Talking-Frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone and in person; Emotional/Psychological-Constant public contact; speaking in public, often to groups; Special Requirements-May require working weekends, nights, and/or occasional overtime;  Environmental-Occasional exposure to varied weather conditions.

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

CLASS: RS4302; EST: 6/13/1989; REV: 3/12/2008;