Health Resources Advocate (HRA)

General Summary: Under the general direction of the Personal Health Services Department Director and supervision of the Personal Health Services Supervisor, The Health Resource Advocates provides professional, front-line support for school districts residing in the Central Michigan District Health Department’s counties. They will address concerns and strengthen best public health practices by providing consultation, prevention services, and appropriate public health strategies for the district. The Health Resource Advocates will help to coordinate communication around the greatest needs in school health: the health and mitigation strategies surrounding communicable disease, in addition to other existing and emergency health issues. The Health Resource Advocate functions as a team member to coordinate and connect quality health services and education to school districts. Health Resource Advocates actions are directed toward the goals of prevention, assessment, risk reduction, and health status improvement for children and staff in educational environments, possibly in collaboration with multidisciplinary and multi-agency teams to achieve desirable outcomes for these communities. Health Resource Advocates participate in the maintenance of related client and program activity records and prepares required reports; exercises considerable independent judgment in decision-making, time management, and is skilled in representing the agency in the community.

Essential Duties: Under general supervision and/or as part of various workgroups or teams, the Health Resource Advocates performs the following essential functions within the framework of Central Michigan District Health Department’s provision of the core functions and essential services of public health:

Public Health Services

1. Provides consultation, leadership, and opportunities for quality public health services for prevention of communicable disease, including COVID-19, and other prevention health services.
2. Provides direct or referral to guidance and training on appropriate public health prevention strategies (based in part on education and past work experience). Direct trainings for staff, students, and administrators if the trainings fall within the scope of degree and knowledge of the individual hired.
3. Assists with emergency health situation preparedness. Coordinates with local emergency personnel/agencies to assist with plans.
4. Stays current on emerging public health guidance on timely issues.
5. Monitors, interprets, synthesizes, and disseminates relevant research findings and other information related to public health, current legal issues, and new legislation that affects school health programs and services.

Community Dimensions of Practice

1. Assists schools with communicating to parents and students’ various health programs, prevention strategies, and other public health messages.
2. Confers with students, parents, teachers, and administrators regarding student public health.
3. Coordinates with local health agencies and medical treatment centers as necessary. Establishes linkages with agency representatives if none already exist.
4. Assists with the coordination of professional development of faculty and staff.
5. Creates a welcoming and positive teaching and learning climate and culture.
6. Assists in the creation of appropriate public health materials that could be distributed to schools and families.

Analysis and Assessment

1. Manages school health data and documentation.
2. Supports development and implementation of policies, strategies, or programs for prevention and intervention of public health concerns in coordination with other state and local partners.
3. Ensures actions are consistent with public health laws, regulations, and agency requirements.
4. Collaborates in the development of evidence-based public health practices and programs in collaboration with universities, other agencies, businesses, trade associations, other staff, and the public.

Leadership and Systems Thinking

1. Interprets, reviews, and disseminates model policies, standards, and best practices to promote safe, legal, and effective public health prevention strategies.
2. Plans and uses professional judgement and acts effectively to carry out the functions of this position.
3. Performs outreach and communication with leaders, representatives, and decision-makers in school systems. Maintains a strong relationship with these contacts.
4. Serves as the health care representative providing guidance and coordinates training to the school district on appropriate public health programs. Actively participates in and acts as a liaison on a rotating basis with other community agencies and professionals in collaborative efforts to address community health priorities.
5. Adheres to applicable Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards, such as those concerning exposure to bloodborne pathogens, toxic substances, airborne pathogens, or exposure to other hazards during routine assignments or assignments during public health emergencies.
6. Collaborates in developing a work environment where continuous quality improvements in practice are pursued.
7. Assumes responsibility for own professional growth and development by pursuing education and participating in professional committees and work groups.
8. Promotes team and organizational learning opportunities within the organization.

Policy Development and Program Planning

1. Provides early identification of problems, interventions, and referrals to appropriate agencies or services.
2. Works within the context (characteristics, needs, and circumstances) to determine a set of health strategies appropriate for the district.
3. Collaborates in and contributes to individual, team, and departmental quality improvement and evaluation activities, including participating in orientation, training, and mentoring of less experienced health resource advocates as directed by supervisor.
4. With general supervision, plans the day-to-day activities of an assigned program, or project, developing goals and plans, monitoring the project/program’s effectiveness, making recommendations for change, and maintaining records and related reports.

Communication and Cultural Competency

1. Delivers targeted, culturally appropriate information to help individuals and groups understand local public health policies, regulations, and codes.
2. Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting effectively and professionally with persons of all ages and from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, lifestyles, and physical abilities.
3. Adheres to ethical principles and Health Department policy in the collection, maintenance, use, and dissemination of data and information.
4. Utilizes appropriate skills to participate and lead groups in addressing specific issues; listens to others in an unbiased manner, respects points of view of others, and promotes the expression of diverse opinions and perspectives.
5. Effectively communicates the role of public health within the overall health system.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

1. Collaborates in activities such as time studies that contribute to the development of budgets and the efficient use of resources.
2. Follows confidentiality and privacy rules and regulations in all matters.
3. Performs public health emergency response duties as assigned and consistent with job classification and training provided, in response to threats to the public’s health.
4. Participates in Department and community emergency response training and drills consistent with job classification in support of public health emergency and disaster preparedness.
5. Performs other duties as assigned consistent with job classification.
6. Maintains client and activity records, and related documentations for professional accountability.
7. Maintains inventory of supplies and materials needed for health clinics and develop and monitor procedures for maintaining adequate supplies for said clinics. Assists in the creation of communication to school communities concerning health and welfare issues.
8. If appropriate (depending on degree and former experience) – Coordinates care for students with chronic health conditions.
9. May complete special projects such as data compiling and entry, filing, mailing, copying, and so forth as requested.
10. Maintains up-to-date vaccines including flu (influenza) in accordance with CDC guidelines and Recommended Vaccines for Healthcare Workers in which you allow CMDHD to access your current immunization status from the Michigan Improvement Care Registry (MCIR).

Other duties as assigned by supervisor or director.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Nursing, Health Education, Community & Family Health, Social Work, or another health-related field, plus two years of professional experience is required.
2. Master’s degree recommended and may be substituted for professional experience requirement.
3. National Incident Management System (NIMS)/Incident Command Systems (ICS) 100, 200 and 700 certifications.
4. Valid Michigan driver’s license, current certification of vehicle insurance, and access to reliable transportation to all assigned work locations.

Knowledge and Skills

1. A Knowledge of the core functions and essential services of public health.
2. Knowledge of human systems (wellness, growth and development, human behavior, psychosocial development, family and community systems).
3. Knowledge of chart documentation requirements, medical record forms, State and Federal laws that govern release of health care information, patient consent.
4. Knowledge of population-based health status indicators, determinants of health and illness, factors contributing to health promotion and disease prevention, and factors influencing the use of health services.
5. Knowledge of relevant OSHA and CLIA standards.
6. Must have a home telephone number (after hours call may be necessary for public health emergencies).
7. Knowledge of health care systems structure and function; ability to make appropriate client referrals based upon patient need, program guidelines and community resources.
8. Knowledge of group processes including facilitation, collaboration, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
9. Knowledge of research techniques and principles as well as quality assurance/ improvement systems.
10. Knowledge of emergency preparedness - at home, work and in the community.
11. Knowledge of incident command structure and its use.
12. Demonstrates knowledge of a systematic approach to client care that includes assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention, evaluation, consultation, and referral and follow up.
13. Demonstrates ability to maintain working relationships with diverse populations and cultures; ability to engage clients and families in a care plan.
14. Must have excellent interpersonal relationship skills and be able to work within an interdisciplinary team structure to improve patient outcomes.
15. Demonstrates communication skills (oral and written).
16. Demonstrates knowledge of the leadership skills required to delegate tasks, coordinate patient and family care, and mobilize community resources.
17. Use of institutional cleaning products and disinfectants may be required.
18. May be exposed to hazardous materials or dangerous conditions found in a home or field environment.
19. In times of emergency, quarantine, or another crisis, staff may be required to stay at the branch office for an extended period of time.
20. In times of a public health emergency, may be required to report for specialized assigned duties inside or outside of the counties of the Central Michigan District Health Department.
21. Must possess professional knowledge, consistent with license, registration or certification and demonstrate through employment practice equal to acceptable professional standards.
22. Must have ability to develop computer skills to manage implemented agency documentation systems.

Environment & Effort

1. Must be able to be fitted and wear a NIOSH 95 mask or other OSHA approved mask.
2. Engage in the following movements: Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, and writing and repetitive motions.
3. Exert up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
4. Hearing ability sufficient enough to communicate with others effectively in person and over the phone.
5. Visual ability must be sufficient enough to read typewritten documents, computer screen and drive a car

If unable to demonstrate these abilities based upon a standardized, objective assessment performed by external occupational health professionals, all reasonable accommodations will be made, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and any other applicable Federal and Michigan law.

WORKING CONDITIONS WHILE PERFORMING ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. General office setting in the Arenac, Clare, Gladwin, Isabella, Osceola, Roscommon branch offices or other health department facilities, as well as community sites including schools and workplaces.
2. Work performed in the community is sometimes subject to conditions that range from inclement weather to dangerous conditions such as snow/ice, cold, heat, noise, wetness/humidity, vibration, sudden temperature changes, and poor illumination at the job site or due to travel on the job.
3. Travel to and from field locations may subject worker to increased risk of driving hazards. Community locations may subject worker to communicable diseases, insects and other disease vectors, toxins, hazardous materials, chemicals and animals.
4. In all settings, employees in this classification may occasionally need to relate to members of the public who exhibit challenging, atypical or hostile behaviors and/or communication.