CHAP Student Support Specialist

Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board•Portland, OR

31d•$58,000 - $68,500•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Health Aide Program (CHAP) Student Support Specialist supports student recruitment, enrollment, education progression, certification, and workforce placement across NPAIHB’s CHAP disciplines, including Behavioral Health Aides (BHA), Community Health Aides (CHA), and Dental Health Aides (DHA). The CHAP Student Support Specialist serves as a central liaison among prospective and enrolled students, Tribal health organizations, Tribal education programs, the Indian Health Service (IHS), and CHAP education and certification partners to strengthen student access, engagement, and successful progression through CHAP pathways. The CHAP Student Support Specialist must have thorough knowledge of project coordination and student support processes and demonstrate strong skills in planning, organization, communication, and implementation. The position requires the ability to coordinate multiple student-facing and program activities, maintain accurate student information and records, support stipend and certification processes, and communicate effectively with students, Tribal partners, and other external partners. The CHAP Student Support Specialist supports NPAIHB’s CHAP team, which provides health systems support and education resources to NPAIHB’s 43 member Tribes. The team includes approximately six (6) staff. The CHAP Student Support Specialist reports to the Director of Behavioral Health Education. This scope of work is housed within the Clinical Division of NPAIHB. This position is based at NPAIHB’s offices in Portland, Oregon and is expected to work on-site in accordance with applicable workplace and telework policies, including attendance at designated in-person meetings and activities. Local travel and overnight travel outside of the area are required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, Education, Business Administration, Public Health, or a closely related field (or at least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in Tribal health program coordination, project coordination, program administration, student services, or a closely related field)
At least three (3) years of experience in Tribal health program coordination, project coordination, program administration, student services, or a closely related field
At least two (2) years of professional experience working with Tribes, Tribal organizations, Tribal communities, or Tribal health clinics
Experience supporting the planning, organization, implementation, or coordination of public health, education, workforce development, or similar collaborative initiatives
Familiarity with the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act and the Indian Health Care Improvement Act
Intermediate proficiency with common workplace software programs (including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat, and Zoom)
Intermediate proficiency with Canvas, Moodle, or other learning management systems (LMS)
Proficient technical writing skills, including spelling, grammar, and proofreading, and the ability to produce polished writing under a deadline
Proficient research and analysis skills
Excellent interpersonal skills
Demonstrated cultural humility and ability to work effectively across cultural contexts
Ability to exercise discretion, tact, and judgment
Ability to work effectively with federal, Tribal, and other professionals
Ability to facilitate participation and partnership in CHAP activities
Ability to make professional oral presentations at the national, regional, and community levels, as well as in Tribal settings
Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision
Ability to exercise initiative and make independent decisions and recommendations
Ability to complete tasks in a timely and accurate manner
Must agree to serve a minimum six-month probationary period

Nice To Haves

At least four (4) years of professional experience working with Tribes, Tribal organizations, Tribal communities, or Tribal health clinics
Experience mentoring, advising, or otherwise supporting students, trainees, or developing professionals
Direct experience working with Northwest Tribes
Working knowledge of the Community Health Aide Program

Responsibilities

Supports NPAIHB’s Community Health Aide Program in alignment with priorities established by member Tribes, the Strategic Plan, and applicable Tribal, federal, state, organizational, and/or funding priorities
Contributes to an organizational culture of professional excellence, integrity, rigor, service, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Coordinates CHAP student-support activities among prospective and enrolled students, member Tribes, Tribal health organizations, Tribal education programs, the Indian Health Service, and CHAP education and certification partners to promote coordinated, timely, culturally responsive support, successful student progression, and workforce placement
Supports proactive planning, problem-solving, and continuous improvement efforts to identify needs, address barriers, and advance desired outcomes
Supports monitoring of emerging needs, trends, risks, opportunities, and external developments affecting the Community Health Aide Program and communicates material information to appropriate staff and leadership
Supports prospective and enrolled CHAP students across the BHA, CHA, and DHA disciplines through education-program application, CHAP application, enrollment, stipend, certification, and workforce-placement processes, helping identify and address barriers to successful progression through CHAP pathways
Prioritizes CHAP student recruitment throughout the Portland Area (Idaho, Oregon, and Washington) and supports outreach and engagement with prospective students and Tribal partners
Drafts and updates CHAP student recruitment and support materials, including program applications, stipend materials, flyers, and student website content
Serves as a primary point of contact for students and partners regarding individual student needs, requirements, and next steps, coordinating follow-up with Tribal higher education programs, Tribal health organizations, the Indian Health Service, the Portland Area CHAP Certification Board, and other education and certification partners as needed
Supports the planning and development of Community Health Aide Program goals, priorities, strategies, work plans, services, initiatives, and resources
Supports the implementation of priorities in response to direction from NPAIHB member Tribes, organizational strategic planning, policy developments, evaluation findings, and emerging needs
Uses identified needs, opportunities, emerging issues, and stakeholder input to support CHAP program planning, sustainability, development, and improvement
Works with the Director of Behavioral Health Education to align Community Health Aide Program activities with Northwest Tribal, federal, and state policy priorities
Supports capacity-building strategies based on the needs and priorities of Northwest Tribes and applicable CHAP certification and academic review bodies
Supports the delivery of services and resources for CHAP students and Tribal health partners
Supports day-to-day operations and assigned activities in accordance with approved plans, timelines, budgets, policies, and applicable requirements
Implements the processes, tools, systems, and resources necessary to carry out Community Health Aide Program activities effectively
Escalates operational barriers and supports necessary adjustments to maintain effective and timely service delivery
Supports efforts to ensure services, resources, and work products are responsive to member Tribe and other stakeholder needs and are delivered in a timely, culturally appropriate, and high-quality manner
Provides staff support to the Portland Area CHAP Certification Board and the Portland Area Behavioral Health, Community Health Aide, and Dental Academic Review Committees, including providing updates on student enrollment, recruitment, and graduation information
Supports collaboration among project partners and funding agencies to meet applicable goals, grant requirements, fiscal-period objectives, and NPAIHB Strategic Plan priorities
Participates in NPAIHB Tribal Community Health Aide Program meetings and program discussions to organize activities, support program sustainability, and maintain required follow-up
Tracks progress against CHAP priorities, activities, deliverables, and deadlines, identifies material barriers or needed adjustments, and communicates relevant information to appropriate staff
Facilitates and provides staff support for the Behavioral Health Committee and other assigned CHAP activities during Quarterly NPAIHB Board of Directors Meetings (QBMs), including meeting preparation and coordination of resulting actions
Coordinates and organizes Community Health Aide Program events and related activities
Supports compliance with applicable funding requirements, organizational policies, certification and academic review requirements, and other standards governing CHAP student-support activities
Supports quality-assurance and continuous-improvement practices that respond to the needs and priorities of NPAIHB member Tribes and strengthen CHAP student services
Supports adherence to applicable human-subjects protections and Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements for clinical research, surveillance, and evaluation activities within the position’s scope
Supports relationships with NPAIHB member Tribes, Tribal health programs, the Indian Health Service, government agencies, funders, community partners, consultants, and other stakeholders
Represents NPAIHB and its Community Health Aide Program at meetings, conferences, events, committees, and workgroups
Participates in stakeholder-engagement activities to gather input, promote participation, strengthen collaboration, and build collective understanding
Supports Tribal provider education and student-learning activities within formal education programs and Tribal training structures, as appropriate
Supports communication and collaboration across NPAIHB to coordinate CHAP student-support, education, and workforce-development activities and reduce information silos
Maintains complete, accurate, and well-organized CHAP program files and supporting documentation in compliance with NPAIHB and applicable external requirements, including securely archiving records as appropriate
Maintains calendars, databases, tracking spreadsheets, and other administrative systems with complete and current program and student information
Coordinates the secure storage, organization, and maintenance of CHAP student data in accordance with applicable Tribal data sovereignty requirements, working closely with the CHAP Administrative Coordinator to maintain complete and organized student information
Tracks and processes CHAP student-support stipends
Processes Purchase Orders (POs) and Accounts Payable (AP) invoices for payment and assists with contract finalization
Prepares monthly, quarterly, and annual CHAP student reports and submits an electronic Monthly Activity Report (eMAR) to the Director of Behavioral Health Education at the end of each month
Documents significant activities, decisions, approvals, communications, and follow-up actions as required
Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Behavioral Health Education, Tribal Health Systems and Education Director, and/or Executive Director or designee