Maternal and Child Health Community Health Worker

IRC Background:​

Founded in 1933, the IRC is a leading nonsectarian, non-profit organization providing relief, protection and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict around the world and in the United States. The IRC opened an office in Tucson, Arizona in 1996 to provide a wide array of services to newly arrived refugees, asylees and other immigrants. The IRC in Tucson provides client-centered services and programs that support health, economic empowerment, integration, and education to help refugees thrive.

The IRC Health Department consists of programs that address public health, access to health services, and health equity for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (RIM) communities. These programs include services for newly arrived refugees, clients with behavioral health needs, complex medical needs, pregnant women, victims of domestic violence, and the elderly.

Job Overview

The Maternal and Child Health Program Community Health Worker’s (CHWs) primary role is to assist the Maternal and Child Health Program with providing comprehensive, linguistically and culturally appropriate maternal and child health education to pregnant women and caregivers of children under the age of 2. The CHW is responsible for coordinating medical services, providing transportation, and advocating for beneficiaries during their medical appointments. This role also provides individualized health literacy training to beneficiaries to increase self-sufficiency and their ability to advocate for equitable medical services. CHWs ensure that project beneficiaries have access to medical services, community donations, and supportive mainstream social services that address their unique needs in pregnancy and early childhood.

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Conduct maternal and child health education sessions.
• Provide individualized health literacy and health navigation training with beneficiaries.
• Co-lead and provide technical and/or linguistic support at health education workshops.
• Promote health education events through canvassing, flyering, and outreach calls.
• Review, edit and provide material feedback on maternal and child health education and health literacy materials.
• Translation of relevant education and promotion materials.
• Schedule medical appointments, provide medical advocacy, and provide transportation for beneficiaries.
• Ensure project participants are adhering to their medical plans of care prescribed by health professionals.
• Refer and enroll beneficiaries in mainstream social services including early childhood programs, prenatal services, WIC, and mental health care.
• Conduct activities designed to gather data about maternal and child health knowledge, attitudes, practices and services provided.
• Document all services rendered in internal databases.
• Ensure client confidentiality and abide by federal, state, and local government guidelines on confidentiality.
• Participate in monthly meetings with project leads across the IRC network and Arizona to share strategies on project deliverables, discuss best practices, and tackle challenges.
• Comply with all IRC policies, procedures, and protocols including adherence to the IRC Way and Child Safeguarding.
• Other duties as assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Maternal and Child Health Supervisor
Position directly supervises: ​Interns and volunteers within the program

Indirect Reporting: Senior Health Program Manager, IRC HQ
Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: IRC staff, interns and volunteers

External: Community partners, sub-grantees, stakeholder partners, State Refugee Health Manager, DES, NRC-RIM, medical providers, Ethnic Based Community Organizations

Job Requirements:

Education*:* No education required but degree in Health Services or a similar field is strongly preferred; comparable related work experience is required if no education.

Work Experience: 1+ years of professional work experience; preferably in public health, non-profit, or social services environment. Community organizing experience preferred.

Demonstrated Skills and Proficiencies:

• Experience working with refugees and/or immigrants; cross-cultural or overseas experience accepted.
• Experience in community mobilization.
• Knowledge of the US health care system.
• Computer proficiency with an emphasis on Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook). Proven experience in web-based data entry systems, with both data extraction and design preferred.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.
• Flexibility with demonstrated ability to maintain responsibility for multiple tasks in the context of a diverse, fast-paced work environment.
• Strategic, creative, problem solver capable of working well independently and as a part of a team.
• Demonstrated understanding of coaching and motivational interviewing.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle.
• In accordance with Arizona State Law, must possess or be eligible to receive a fingerprint clearance card.

Language Skills: Fluency in written and spoken English, bilingual ability preferred in Dari, Pashto, and/or Farsi.. Cross-cultural understanding and strong communication skills, both written and verbal.

Working Environment:**

• A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and ‘field’ time within the service delivery area to perform the above-outlined responsibilities.
• May require occasional weekend and/or evening work.

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Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires new hires to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for any in-office or hybrid positions. All IRC US offices require full vaccination to attend any in-office functions (e.g., meetings, trainings).

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $120 per month, dental starting at $7 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.