Public Health Program Representative

Department: Health

Union Affiliation: AFSCME

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday

Total Hours Per Week: 40

Position is eligible for 5% premium pay if bilingual

Be a part of our Health & Human Services team!

As a Public Health Program Representative, you will be part of a dedicated team working

to Promote and Protect the Health of ALL People in Tillamook County.

We are seeking a compassionate and organized individual who enjoys

a fast-paced environment and thrives on making a positive difference in patients’ lives.

The Tillamook County Health and Human Services Department (HHS) includes the Community Health Center Primary Care Clinics, Dental, Behavioral Health, and integrated Public Health. This is a dynamic department with a fast-paced environment serving diverse populations. The Public Health Program Representative (PHPR) works in the Primary Care, Dental, Behavioral Health or Public Health sections of the department as a Care Coordinator working to support the health needs of the client. This classification promotes community health and wellness at the individual, community, and system levels.

The focus of the Care Coordinator Public Health Program Representative includes: 

• Coordinator in the medical, dental, and behavioral settings, developing and implementing a plan of assistance and service for the client. 

• Refer or make appointments with the appropriate services, clinics, and other public agencies, as appropriate. 

• Schedules office visits according to the referrals for care management for multi-complex patients, arrange transportation, and assist with virtual visits when needed. 

• Maintain paper and/or electronic client records (using EPIC, an electronic health record), reports, and statistical data in accordance with program, county and/or state laws.

• Works to connect clients with community resources i.e., community shelters, counseling, food pantries, advocates, medication assistance programs, housing and utility resources, school resources, pregnancy resources, educational opportunities, and provide education and information on available services. 

• Assist with enrollment into medical health plans under Medicaid/Oregon Health Plan and/or Qualified Health Plan as mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

• Bilingual PHPRs may be trained to provide medical interpreting in the clinical, dental, and community settings.

• May assist the client in accessing and/or completing applications for financial assistance for medical/dental services and other needs, as necessary. 

EXAMPLES OF PRINCIPAL DUTIES
 (Duties assigned to this level include, but are not limited to, the following examples. Any one position may not perform all listed tasks.)
 

At the Individual Level-Clinical

The PHPR serves as a Care Coordinator in the medical, dental, and behavioral settings, developing and implementing a plan of assistance and service for the client. They refer or make appointments with the appropriate services, clinics, and other public agencies, as appropriate. The PHPR schedules office visits according to the referrals for care management for multi-complex patients, arrange transportation, and assist with virtual visits when needed. PHPR’s also maintain paper and/or electronic client records (using EPIC, an electronic health record), reports, and statistical data in accordance with program, county and/or state laws.

In addition to medical needs, the PHPR works to connect clients with community resources i.e., community shelters, counseling, food pantries, advocates, medication assistance programs, housing and utility resources, school resources, pregnancy resources, educational opportunities, and provide education and information on available services. PHPR’s may assist the client in accessing and/or completing applications for financial assistance for medical/dental services and other needs as necessary. They assist with enrollment into medical health plans under Medicaid/Oregon Health Plan and/or Qualified Health Plan as mandated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

If qualified, bilingual PHPRs may be trained to provide medical interpreting in the clinical, dental, and community settings.

Women’s Infants and Children (WIC)

A PHPR in WIC, works as the WIC Program Coordinator working to implement WIC program services. This includes program development, management, monitoring, reporting, marketing and outreach, scheduling, caseload management, and oversight of the WIC vouchering system. Through WIC the PHPR also act as the local agency WIC training supervisor, making sure that new WIC staff are trained in compliance with state policy. The PHPR may also act as the local agency breastfeeding coordinator, providing leadership to the local WIC agency regarding breastfeeding promotion, education, and support. They provide direct client services by interviewing potential WIC program participants to obtain financial, medical and nutritional history and establish program eligibility. The PHPR provides immediate nutritional counseling, arranges for specialized dietician services as necessary and advises and encourages the use of other available community services.

At the Community Level

The PHPR serves as Community Health Coordinators, developing and implementing health education materials and outreach to coordinate and implement health education programs, working closely with other HHS staff and community partners. Health education materials include audio-visual, digital and written health education materials. They work to develop, implement, and evaluate the goals, objectives, and policies for associated health education programs as assigned. PHPR’s work to ensure accessibility, equity, inclusion, and health literacy standards are being met in programs, materials, and outreach.

The PHPR also works in the area of population health by interacting and convening community partners and resources as necessary to ensure the diverse health needs of our community are being met. They collaborate with HHS staff, key stakeholders and coalitions for the development and advancement of health promotion programs, helping to ensure assigned programs are aligned with community health needs assessments and community health improvement plans.  The PHPR assists in literature reviews and writing of potential health promotion grants and other funding sources that address gaps identified in community health assessments. They help ensure all assigned grant requirements are fulfilled and programs are aligned with funding requirements and evidence-based best practices.

Systems Level

Collaborate with health departments, community health centers, and primary care clinics across the State and various State departments on Public Health Initiatives. Participating in the development of systems, policies, and programs that impact community health.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES
Required knowledge and skills vary depending on which area the PHPR may be working.

Knowledge:

Clinical positions should have a knowledge of case management techniques, practices, and procedures to coordinate service and care plans. Some positions in this classification are required to have fluency in Spanish at an advanced mid-level on the ACTFL scale to qualifying them to serve as an interpreter/translator. Some positions in this classification may be required to have in-depth knowledge of the Hispanic culture in order to conduct program outreach in that community.

Community positions should have knowledge of a wide range of typical public health programs, health promotion, and communication strategies. Experience in program implementation and project management is preferred.

Skills:

Skill in keyboarding, Excel, Word, Adobe, and other publishing type software.

Skill in problem identification and resolution techniques.

Skill in interviewing and counseling techniques.

Abilities:

Able to assess the need for medical and/or nutrition services.

Able to collect and analyze pertinent facts.

Able to provide needed information, advice, and practical assistance to clients.

Able to communicate effectively in writing to produce clear correspondence, concise histories, properly documented records, and reports.

Excellent oral communication ability to explain, motivate, persuade, and reason with a wide variety of clients and their families having widely varying cognitive abilities, cultural backgrounds, and education levels.

Able to use initiative and judgment to independently interpret established policy and procedures and recommend new policies when appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s Degree in public health, social work, sociology, psychology, or a related field and one year of responsible work experience providing clients with public health services, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. If driving is required, must possess a valid Oregon driver’s license.

Within one year of hire: 1.) Obtain Oregon Health Plan Assister Certification for both State and Federal requirements if working in the clinical setting; 2.) Qualified bilingual applicants must obtain Interpreter Certification.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

Recurring assignments are independently performed by the employee on the basis of past experience and training. General instructions cover the scope and approach to the work, but procedures and problem resolution are left to employee discretion and interpretation. Work is reviewed periodically to ensure determinations and decisions are in compliance with guidelines and policies.

GUIDELINES

Work is performed within department policy and procedures; state statutes, rules, and regulations; and social service delivery reference materials. Employees use considerable judgment in interpreting or adapting guidelines to problems encountered.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work is sedentary and is performed in an office environment and or community setting. Some standing, walking, kneeling, light lifting, bending and reaching are required. Work may involve exposure to contagious diseases.

SELECTION PROCESS

Following the closing date of this Recruitment, you will hear from us by email. If you are selected as a candidate for an interview, we will contact you to arrange a date and time. We want to ensure that we hire the best possible staff for our County Team because we believe that people are our most valuable asset!