Health Outreach Specialist
Opportunity Type: Job Opportunities, Public Health OpportunitiesLocation: Portland, ME
Salary: Not provided
Opening Date: September 21, 2017
Closing Date: October 01, 2019
Website: https://www.portlandlibrary.com/
Contact Email: hr@portlib.org
Summary of Position
Business Title: Health Outreach Specialist
Department: Research and Information Services
Full Time or Part Time: Part-time Grant funded 1 year position
Hours per Week: 20 -25 hours/week
End Date (if Term Appointment): September 2017 – August 2018
Reports to: Health & Literacy Lead Librarian
The primary focus of the Health Outreach Specialist is to work with community members and agencies to address the health needs of at-risk library patrons. This position works with individuals who have mental health challenges, addictions, homelessness and exclusion issues to provide information and referrals in an effort to bring about positive changes in their lives. Community-building through engagement with vulnerable and at-risk individuals in and around the library is also a focus.
This position serves as a role model and resource to library staff in order to help them engage with at-risk and/or challenging individuals more effectively for the purpose of providing high quality customer service and library programs.
This position is in the Research and Information Services department, a major public service component of the Library and reports to the Health & Literacy Lead Librarian (L1). This is a one-year grant funded, non-benefits eligible position.
Responsibilities
The Health Outreach Specialist will:
- Provide information, support and referrals to individuals in and around the Portland Public Library to assist them in making positive changes in their lives. This position will build relationships, using a supportive listening approach to assist in helping to obtain basic needs such as income, identification, shelter, food, clothing, transportation, legal services, mental health services and medical services.
- Assess patron issues and needs and assist with partnering health experts to develop a case plan.
- Provide crisis intervention as needed, including follow-up.
- Make referrals on behalf of clients and advocate as appropriate.
- Build relationships with community organizations, health and social work professionals and agencies in order to build a network for information sharing and support.
- Assist individuals in accessing community services, filling out applications and understanding information from social service organizations including Medicare, Medicaid, ACA and Social Security benefits.
- Serve as a reference for library staff and generally assist to prevent or intervene if problem behaviors occur within the library.
- Recommend and provide PPL staff training as needed.
- Stay abreast of community health needs and share information to inform outreach and library services and programming.
- Represent the library within the health and social service community.
- Collect and provide analysis of data about services provided and needs addressed.
Qualifications
Basic qualifications include:
- Bachelor’s Degree in social work, public health or nursing from a recognized postsecondary Institution. Master’s degree preferred.
- Three years of post-graduation professional related experience including experience working with a diverse population
- French language speaker strongly preferred but not required
- Excellent communicator with the patron community and colleagues
- Comfortable working independently
- Detail oriented
Pre-employment screening required (Criminal and identity)
To apply
Please send resume and letter of interest to hr@portlib.org. Be sure to put the title of the position in the subject line.