Job Details

Job Location: Rhode Island Parent Information Network - Warwick, RI

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: Undisclosed

About RIPIN

RIPIN deploys a peer model to support people with special healthcare and education needs across the whole lifespan. Founded in 1991 by a group of parents of children with special needs, RIPIN continues to be peer-led: a majority of our board and more than three-fourths of our staff are parents or caretakers of loved ones with special needs. RIPIN’s peer professionals now help more than 45,000 Rhode Islanders every year navigate healthcare, schools, and other support systems.

Job Summary

The Adult Care Manager is a peer who has experience in navigating Rhode Island’s health system for themselves, a family member or through previous employment. This CHW will support adults with special needs and their families who receive Long Term Services and Supports. As a CHW, this role will be a critical part of a comprehensive team providing peer support, care coordination, resources, and referrals within RIPINs Conflict Free Case Management Program. CHWs will engage with consumers in the home and community settings providing person centered, culturally sensitive support, and building on the values, strengths, and preferences of the member. The CHW will also serve as an effective role model and mentor.

Essential Functions

• Utilize motivational interviewing skills and culturally sensitive methods to help consumers to achieve goals
• Provide emotional support, serve as a role model, and guide consumers to practice positive, responsible healthy behaviors
• Assist consumers to identify goals and access Long Term Services and Supports aimed at remaining in a community setting
• Maintain timely, accurate records, documentation, and reports as required
• Assist in data collection, surveys, assessment and reporting as required
• Actively participate and complete training and professional development activities
• Assist in statewide system analysis, planning and coordination with state agencies, state and local boards, community-based organizations, and community rehabilitation programs
• Accept other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to relate to consumers and to address barriers to care, health and wellness
• Effectively demonstrate sensitivity to the issues facing consumers served
• Possess intimate knowledge of health systems, terminology, supports, and services
• Demonstrated ability and skill to work collaboratively with co-workers, consumers, families, service providers, and health plans, etc.
• Ability to promote and advocate for person and family-centered, culturally sensitive care
• Ability to motivate high risk consumers and serve as a peer mentor
• Skilled and/or willingness to learn and initiate motivational interviewing techniques with consumers
• Knowledgeable of the Rhode Island systems of care supporting adults with special needs
• Demonstrated prior success in accessing community-based resources in Rhode Island
• Problem-solving skills to facilitate empowering experiences and positive outcomes with consumers
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple priorities and tasks
• A deep understanding of, commitment to, and ability to carry out the mission, vision, philosophy, and values of RIPIN
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office/computer skills to enter data, prepare reports and correspondence

Education and Experience:

• High School diploma or GED and a combination of education and skills to effectively carry out responsibilities and assignments
• Community Health Workers certification preferred; non-certified incumbents are expected to earn certification within 18 months of hire date
• Personal experience navigating state and community services and programs on behalf of self or a family member, or Previous experience supporting families or individuals with special care needs or disabilities or families or individuals accessing health programs and services, or Previous experience in working effectively with professionals supporting individuals/ parents/families of children with special needs
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as an effective team member
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations
• A combination of education and experience demonstrating acquisition of the skills and abilities required

Physical Demands

Regularly required to talk or hear. Regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. Regularly required to climb stairs, reach, stretch, stand, and bend. Required to have the ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Required to remain at their station for prolonged periods of time.

Working Conditions/ Work Environment

Primary work location is a climate-controlled indoor office environment; however, may also be required to conduct visits in private homes, climbing up to three flights of stairs, and community locations. Flexibility for travel related to job requirements. Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends as needed. Provide own reliable transportation with proof of valid driver’s license and RI minimum requirements of auto insurance.

The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the employee a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of his/her position. As the nature of the Agency’s work changes, so too may the essential functions of this position.

RIPIN provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.