Community Health Improvement Publ Hlth & Prevent Specialist I

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Falfurrias, TX

25d • Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Community Health Improvement Manager, performs routine public health services in assigned counties in Public Health Region 11 to identify, develop, and implement strategies to promote health and prevent disease and injury successfully. Work involves collaboration with schools, local health agencies, non-profit organizations, health advisory boards, private physicians, individuals, and stakeholder coalitions on population-based health promotion activities to improve access to care and prevent disease and injury regarding maternal and child health care. Trains the community stakeholders and staff in evidence-based health promotion and health education strategies that support healthier environments and encourage healthy behaviors. Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for initiative and independent judgment. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternative shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Requirements

• Required Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Experience with the public, students, community members, and/or professionals
• Ability to work hours other than regular.
• Ability to travel overnight.
• Must possess a minimum of an associate degree in a related field or enough college hours to equal an associate degree.
• Two years of relevant work experience will equal one year of college education.to the job duties of the position. Two years of relevant work experience will equal one year of college education. Associate degree preferred. In addition to degree or college hours, at least 2 years’ work experience in a field related to the agency program.
• Knowledge of: social, economic, and public health issues, basic medical terminology, health education, program implementation
• Skill in: public health work, gathering facts, reporting on population-based interventions, using Access and Excel, preparing reports
• Ability to: implement program policies and procedures, interpret public health laws and regulations, establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships, work with advisory councils, schools, stakeholder groups, and other programs and agencies, and communicate effectively by phone, email, or in-person, train others, collect data and reference information from sources, such as literature searches, and web-based research , write professional correspondence, using correct spelling and grammar, effectively use Windows, MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher), and the Internet to create E-mail messages, letters, informational handouts, spreadsheets, databases, database reports, charts, graphs, presentations, and computer-generated faxes, use computers, printers, scanners, digital cameras, and audio-visual equipment, organize and prioritize workload, work on multiple projects, predict program needs, and implement responses proactively, protect confidential medical and personnel information, present to an audience in both English and Spanish.

Nice To Haves

• National certification as a Child Passenger Safety Technician through Safe Kids worldwide is preferred; Certification shall be achieved as a technician within 12 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• HEALTH PROMOTION/COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Works with communities and local stakeholders, such as schools, healthcare providers, individuals, government officials, local agencies, and community action groups, to identify, develop, implement, and evaluate strategies to successfully promote health and prevent disease and injury. Provides technical assistance for community-wide health promotion campaigns. Educates the community about health issues and services specified in the region’s annual Community Health Improvement Plan and those of agency programs. Participates in Title V population-based services for women, adolescent, and children’s health, such as child fatality review teams, child passenger safety campaigns, obesity prevention activities, prevention of teen pregnancy, etc. Prepares and distributes educational materials. Develops and delivers educational presentations and trainings to at-risk populations, health providers, and community groups, and may assist with public health meetings about emerging public health threats. Provide consultation with staff and stakeholders on tobacco-related health promotion strategies.
• Program Implementation: Assists Health Services Region 11 (HSR 11) staff as a resource to create awareness about public health issues and related services. Assists in the implementation of evidence-based programs. Disseminates and interprets information on public health issues and health promotion programs for local stakeholders and the public about these issues. Create awareness of maternal and child health issues and prevention strategies. Coordinates training courses, and health education courses and trains others. Assists in the preparation and completion of team activities.
• PLANNING: Assist in regional program planning. Plans activities related to the services provided by the Community Health Improvement Program such as child passenger safety seat checkup events, Becoming a Mom, and other program services offered. Coordinate, participate in, and facilitate stakeholder planning meetings at the local level. Track and maintain meetings and activity schedules. Tracks inventory and identifies program material, equipment, and supply needs for activities. Provides administrative support to the Tobacco Prevention and Control program.
• DATA COLLECTION: Collect assessment data for use in planning intervention strategies, implementing intervention activities, and evaluating the effectiveness of public health services. Conduct local public health system assessments to determine compliance with state mandates, regulations, policies, and procedures. Assist in the development of survey tools and collection of survey data. Develop and update resource guides and stakeholder listings. Prepare reports on activities performed and meetings held. Prepare and/or assist in the preparation of administrative reports, studies, and specialized research projects.
• OTHER: Support office duties including phone coverage, ordering supplies, filing reports, making copies, and performing related work as assigned including serving in the DSHS Multi-Agency Coordination Center, State Operations Center, regional and/or local operations centers, joint field offices, Disaster District operations centers, or to be deployed to an affected area of the state during the response to and/or recovery from an all-hazard event.

Benefits

• DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees