HeartCorps Service Member

Overview

Part of HeartCorps, an initiative with Public Health AmeriCorps and the American Heart Association.

Gain valuable professional public health experience while advancing more equitable health outcomes for rural communities.

HeartCorps, a Public Health AmeriCorps program, seeks to enroll 100 Public Health AmeriCorps members in rural communities to accelerate our work around high blood pressure, nutrition security and smoking cessation. Members will serve onsite at a health center, hospital, public health department or non-profit organization within the rural community. 

We are seeking a full-time service member to support this work at a community Health Center in Clinton, LA starting September 25, 2023 through August 09, 2024.   Full-time service placements require an 11-month commitment, serving 8.25 hours per day, (generally Monday-Friday, but may include some evening and weekend hours) for a minimum of 1700 hours.

To learn more about HeartCorps click here: HeartCorps: Public Health AmeriCorps at the AHA | American Heart Association

Responsibilities

Roles of Service Members:

To address the disproportionate rates of uncontrolled hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases in rural communities, HeartCorps members, under the guidance of their host site supervisor, will  

• Facilitate adoption of evidence-based blood pressure measurement practices.
• Assist with public health surveys. This may include recruiting participants, administering the survey in-person or via phone, tracking data, and/or running reports.
• Coordinate and assist with blood pressure, nutrition security, and tobacco screening and referrals to needed services in clinical or community settings.
• Help assess community member barriers to healthcare access and potential solutions.
• Deliver health education, 1:1 or group settings, on heart health related topics including cardiovascular disease, smoking cessation, nutrition, blood pressure, and chronic diseases such as diabetes.
• Help identify and collaborate with local resources and organizations to support healthy living and skill building within the community.
• Support patients/community members in navigating the care, community programs, resources they need around monitoring blood pressure, nutrition security, smoking cessation, and cardiovascular health.
• Launch learning collaboratives for health or community centers. This may include developing and delivering presentations using AHA’s evidence-based data, prepared materials, and program resources.
• Plan and conduct local health skill building workshops, health fairs, town halls or community conversations – to raise awareness and help community members manage their health.
• Cultivate and manage volunteer clubs in local schools or community organizations.
• Educate community groups on hands-only CPR.
• Actively participate in AmeriCorps pre-service orientation, HeartCorps member development meetings and assigned trainings.

Qualifications

Participation Requirements Include:

• At least 18 years of age.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien of the United States.
• Reliable transportation to get to and from host site each day and to community-based activities.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Willingness to learn and grow during service term.
• Passion for health equity and interest in promoting health in rural America.
• Ability to work in a team environment and independently, prioritize work assignments, and meet deadlines.
• Customer and solution focused. Good listener, non-judgmental, open minded, and resourceful.
• Satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria-nationwide check of the National Sex Offender Public website, state criminal history record check, and a fingerprint-based check of the FBI criminal history record database.
• Service members who will use their personal vehicle for HeartCorps related travel during their service period will be required to maintain a valid drivers’ license as well as at least the minimum automobile liability insurance coverage required by law. These members will also be required to provide a copy of their valid license and documentation of the minimum automobile liability insurance coverage during the onboarding process.
• Experience or coursework in public health, health communications, health promotion, or health sciences preferred.
• Some host sites may require proof of vaccination for Covid-19 or other immunizations as a condition of placement. Candidates will be made aware if applicable to their application for a particular host site.

Compensation & Benefits

HeartCorps Service Members Will Receive:

• A bi-weekly living stipend of $1062.50 (pre-tax).
• Healthcare benefits.
• A childcare subsidy if eligible.
• Over 200 hours of professional development.
• An educational award of $6895.00 (pre-tax) upon successful completion of service.
• Direct access to job opportunities upon successful completion of program.

For questions related to HeartCorps, please email us at HeartCorps@heart.org

The American Heart Association’s 2024 Goal: Every person deserves the opportunity for a full, healthy life. As champions for health equity, by 2024, the American Heart Association will advance cardiovascular health for all, including identifying and removing barriers to health care access and quality.

At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity applies to our volunteers, our workforce, and the communities we serve as it relates to heart health and stroke prevention.

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