Scope:

The Health and Wellness Specialist plays a critical role in coordinating health care provision for newly arrived refugees. The HWS works directly with State and County health professionals as well as with clinicians to ensure quality preventative, curative and behavioral health care is delivered in a culturally sensitive way. The HWS guides, prepares, and empowers newly arrived refugees to live healthy productive lives in their new environment. The HWS is responsible for managing and documenting service provision, providing client intakes, assessments, and referrals, making appointments with clinicians, and managing critical care case services.

Responsibilities:

Services

• Assist in providing comprehensive and required services to IRC clients enrolling or enrolled in Refugee Medical services, Behavioral Health services and Refuge Health screening.
• Support timely provision and coordination of medical, dental, and mental health services, particularly for clients with serious health conditions.
• Assist clients with the selection of a primary care physician (PCP) and help schedule initial appointments once the selection has been made, ensuring each client can independently schedule their own appointments.
• Assist clients in resolving barriers to accessing medical and mental health services, including transportation, language access, and financial barriers.
• Oversee the coordination of medical schedules by working with clinical staff at medical facilities and a volunteer pool to ensure refugee health screenings are scheduled and coordinated with the direct service team and to troubleshoot any issues that arise.
• Assist clients to resolve any issues that arise concerning billing for medical services and coordination between Medicaid or other insurance plan and health providers.
• Ensure any urgent medication needs are resolved and that clients know how to fill and refill prescriptions at an accessible pharmacy.
• Ensure compliance with both case file management and reporting requirements. This entails regular and timely maintenance of hard-copy and/or electronic files per donor funding requirements. Participate in all program meetings, staff development activities, and other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all policies, procedures, and protocols of the agency, placing importance on client confidentiality.
• Other duties as assigned

Coordination

• Contribute input on development of policy and processes, identify ways to improve programs and provide feedback.
• Process claims and perform administration with insurance companies.
• Attend organizational meetings.
• Document client services in various databases.
• Conduct bus orientations to medical appointments with clients.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Educational background in social work, public health, or health promotion
• Minimum of 1 year relevant or related job experience
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to effectively distill and present complex information in a concise, accessible way.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural background
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable with strong problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Fluency in English; written and spoken.
• Clean driving record, valid driver’s license, and access to a personal, insured personal vehicle OR familiarity and comfort with using local public transportation system.