Community Health Specialist

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

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Brief Job Description:

Under supervision of the Community Health Improvement (CHI) manager or supervisor and team leadership of the field office nurse, the Community Health Specialist (CHS) performs routine public health and prevention work for assigned counties in Public Health Region 8. The CHS, the field office nurse, and other DSHS program staff work with communities and local stakeholders (such as schools, healthcare providers, individuals, government officials, local agencies, and community action groups) to identify, develop, and carry out strategies to successfully promote health and prevent disease and injury. This work includes health promotion (e.g., presentations, health fairs, committees, meetings), clinic services (like immunizations and specimen shipping), community referrals, customer service, community assessment, reports, and other duties. The CHS may also be called upon to meet agency obligations for disaster response, recovery, or continuity of operations (i.e., continuing essential services during emergencies), which may require an alternate work schedule and location. Staff must also be immunized according to agency immunization policy. This position works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

HEALTH PROMOTION: Works with communities and local stakeholders, such as schools, healthcare providers, individuals, government officials, local agencies, and community action groups, to identify, develop, implement, and evaluate strategies to successfully promote health and prevent disease and injury. Participates in Title V services for women, adolescent, and children’s health, such as child fatality review teams, child passenger safety campaigns, obesity prevention activities, prevention of teen pregnancy, etc. Finds or develops and delivers educational materials, presentations, and trainings to at-risk populations, health providers, and community groups, and may assist with public health meetings about emerging public health threats. (35%)

COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT:  Monitors health status in the community to identify community health problems. Works with the field office nurse and other staff to identify information needed about the community to better understand community health status, including development of tools and techniques. Attends community events and meetings, listens, observes, and participates. Collects data for use in planning and evaluating intervention strategies. Prepares related reports. (15%)

COMMUNITY REFERRALS:  Creates and routinely updates a community resource directory to assist clients and other community members in receiving DSHS services and services not provided by DSHS. Networks with area agencies and community organizations by attending community meetings and visiting or calling other service providers to learn about what they do. (15%)

CLINIC SERVICES:  Registers clients for services by completing client records. Screens clients for eligibility for agency services. Schedules appointments for clinic services. Follows up on missed appointments. Prepares clinical rooms for providing immunizations, STD services, and disease investigations. Includes taking vital signs and height and weight, conducting vision and hearing screenings, and performing other clinical services. Processes and packages specimens for shipping to the lab. Completes lab forms, posts and files lab results as directed by the nurse. Makes home visits to provide services or education, including directly observed therapy (DOT) for tuberculosis program patients. Assures patient confidentiality and HIPAA compliance. Interviews clients to collect personal and health information, including immunization history. Monitors vaccines for proper temperature and expiration dates and ensures short-dated vaccines are transferred to a facility where they will be used before they expire. (15%)

PROGRAM SUPPORT: Prepares monthly activity reports and assists in preparation of other administrative reports, studies, and specialized research projects. Maintains a records management system for the field office, including managing health promotion and educational materials and filing clinic documents in client records or the electronic health record system. Ensures files adhere to the records retention rules of DSHS and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Enters data into the proper public health data bases. May assist with immunization recalls and audits in schools and child care centers. Receives and processes mail and prepares outgoing mail. Handles and processes payments for clinic services as required by agency cash management policy. Inventories agency property located in the field office and surplusses excess or outdated equipment per agency requirements. Maintains job-related certifications, e.g. Community Health Worker, Child Passenger Safety Technician, Positive Youth Development Trainer. (10%)

CUSTOMER SERVICE and OTHER DUTIES:  Greets clients visiting the DSHS field office. Answers the phone, routes calls, and takes messages. Assesses the needs of callers and visitors by listening and talking to them about the services they need. Actively participates or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. This can require an alternate shift or location. Safe operation of a state-owned, rental, or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business, and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS policy. Complies with the Department of State Health Services Immunization Policy. Performs other duties as assigned. (10%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of social, economic and public health issues

Knowledge of public health and prevention practices and procedures

Knowledge of community resources

Knowledge of basic teaching, learning, and behavior change theories

Knowledge of cultural, social, economic, and public health forces in families and communities

Knowledge of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Skill in developing and providing individual and group education or training

Skill in the use of a personal computer including data entry, word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail and the Internet

Skill in conducting community needs assessments

Skill in time management and managing multiple projects or tasks

Ability to manage time and multiple projects or tasks

Ability to interpret public health laws, procedures, and regulations

Ability to solve problems, priotize, plan, and execute work

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, preferably in English and Spanish

Ability to initiate and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships with the public, local officials, health care professionals, and local agency personnel

Ability to speak in public

Ability to travel

Ability to meet employee immunization requirements

Ability to perform public health tasks

Ability to maintain Basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification

Ability to meet the physical demands of the job functions

Ability to complete and track reports

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Class C Texas Driver’s License or equivalent from another state.
Certified Community Health Worker preferred.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Minimum high school diploma or GED equivalent.
Experience working or volunteering in community serving positions.
Experience providing individual and group education preferred, especially in public health setting.
Ability to speak a foreign language present in a local community population, for example Spanish or Burmese, is preferred.
Prefer applicants with a history in the geographical service region.

Additional Information:

Willing to get and maintain Community Health Worker certification.
Willing to get and maintain Child Passenger Safety Technician certification.
Must comply with the DSHS immunization policy.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form