Permanent Staff (SHRA)

No

Human Services Prog Spprt Tech - Advanced

Formerly Incarcerated Transition (FIT) Program Community Health Worker

20036593

P012382

$34,435 - $41,866

To learn more about the pay band for this branch and role, please see the Career Banding rates spreadsheet.

GN05

Full-Time Time-Limited

June 30th, 2021 estimated end date, with possibility to extend based on availability of funds.

40

Monday – Friday (8am – 5pm)

Family Medicine-411601

02/22/2021

03/08/2021

Chapel Hill, NC

Administrative/Clerical Support

Top-ranked in the nation, UNC Family Medicine provides patient-centered primary care, conducts groundbreaking research, cares for communities, and trains the best and the brightest young doctors. We aim to support and improve the health of the communities we serve, with a special commitment to the underserved, mothers and children, the elderly and other populations at risk in a time of rapid changes in the organization of health care. We are concerned with both current needs and future generations. Our vision is to be the leading department of family medicine, transforming care and growing leaders to improve health. Our mission is to promote the health of the people of North Carolina and the world through leadership and innovation in clinical practice, medical education, research, and community service.

The UNC Formerly Incarcerated Transition (FIT) Program is situated within the Department of Family Medicine at UNC Chapel Hill. The FIT Program is a partnership between UNC Family Medicine, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (which administers the state prisons), Federally Qualified Health Centers, County Departments of Health and local reentry councils. Upon release from the state prison system, individuals are frequently without work, without health insurance, and without a medical home. The FIT Program aims to connect all formerly incarcerated individuals who have a chronic disease with a primary care provider. The program hinges on Community Health Workers (CHW) making contact with individuals who are incarcerated with chronic disease prior to release, developing a rapport and helping put together a comprehensive reentry plan. The program works directly with the formerly incarcerated individual after release to execute the reentry plan and take them to medical appointments. Similar programs have been successful in other parts of the U.S. and have decreased rates of hospitalization, emergency room use, and even recidivism. We have additional support from a national group that encourages the use of this model, the Transitions Clinic Network. Most formerly incarcerated people do not have health insurance upon release. The FIT program provides funding to cover the office visit and medication costs.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

This position will serve as a Community Health Worker within the Formerly Incarcerated Transition (FIT) Program and the FIT Connect Program. Primary responsibilities will include connecting recently released people with chronic disease, mental illness and/or substance use disorder to appropriate health care services and help put together a comprehensive reentry plan working with local reentry partners. Additional responsibilities will include general program and event support. Position responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Provide individualized and group support, empowerment, education, and case management services to individuals released from incarceration that suffer from chronic disease(s), substance use disorder, and/or metal illness;
• Recruit formerly incarcerated individuals for primary care services, substance use disorder treatment, and mental health services;
• Conduct periodic assessments of individuals substance use, physical activity, dietary habits, tobacco use, and social and economic resources;
• Transport ambulatory patients between their homes and clinics, hospitals, or other social agencies;
• Advise individuals and others regarding health care and other facilities available to them, assisting as needed for utilization of services, and conduct follow up as required;
• Educate individuals with chronic illness about evidence-based standards of care and self-management of their chronic illness;
• Document work through appropriate record keeping;
• Make referral for needed services and facilitate access to community resources;
• Conduct home visits when appropriate and necessary;
• Communicate with formerly incarcerated individuals and FIT team on project needs;
• Participate in outreach and advocacy activities in the community, prisons, local jails, and local reentry service providers;
• Participate and assist in community programs related to FIT, including outreach and engagement efforts to identify and engage with individual who could partner with the FIT Program.

Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.

Willingness to work in various environments, including prisons/jails, and when conducting home visits. Experience providing information, education, intervention, and/or referral services to culturally diverse populations and/or community health workers. Comfortable working with culturally diverse populations.

Candidates must have experience problem solving and working in a team environment. The position requires experience using Microsoft Office applications. Necessary requirements are organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion. Candidates are expected to exhibit professional interpersonal communication skills, both verbal and written. Candidates must have the ability to maintain effective working relationships with all peers, program related personnel and faculty, demonstrating initiative, and remaining calm under pressure.

Personal history or previous experience interacting closely with individuals who have been incarcerated. Ability to work independently and collaboratively and have the ability to adapt quickly to a changing environment in a position with evolving duties. Previous experience working in a medical, community, and/or academic environment is preferred. Bilingual English/Spanish.

Valid NC driver’s license.

Valid NC Driver’s License

No