Health Education Specialist

IOA is on the forefront of revolutionary healthcare models, reshaping the way people can age in place. Our innovative models transform lives, enhance communities, and save healthcare systems millions of dollars. Rather than focusing on archaic outdated design, we strive to consistently question the "status-quo" and create new and more innovative ways to help aging adults and adults with disabilities maintain their quality of life. With over 23 programs, we offer multiple ways to aid seniors maintain their health, well-being, independence and participation in the community, fulfilling our mission.

Key duties and responsibilities of the position include, but may not be limited to:

• Teaching behaviors that promote wellness and developing/implementing strategies to improve the health of individuals and communities

• Offering training, knowledge and skills that complements the work of health care providers, policy makers and human resources staff

• Developing an integrative education program to teach residents about their health and medical needs; this is accomplished by enhancing the role of the Support Service Program with the presence of a HES as an on-site health resource

• Supporting residents' ability to age in place via education, effective care coordination, creating medical treatment plans and preventive interventions

• Teaching residents individually and in a group about health management strategies to maintain their independence and holistic well-being

• Collaborating with the residents' medical teams to create a wrap-around medical treatment plan; leading support services team in developing post-hospitalization follow-up plan to ensure all parties understand and can follow the after-care instructions

• Developing and teaching educational programming to residents, including nutrition, medication information, safety, blood pressure and weight, use of medical equipment, exercise, supportive counseling and early detection of potential health problems

• Educating and collaborating with Supportive Services Team (i.e., Resident Service Coordinators,

• Case Managers, Program Manager) to advocate for resident use of community resources such as home delivered meals, adult day health, etc. to resolve identified medical needs

• Providing medical expertise when collaborating with Supportive Services and resident's medical team to assist with and advocate for transitions or moves to a higher level of care when residents' health or functional abilities indicate the need.

• Evaluating residents' medical functioning daily and being an advocate to doctors, other health service providers and insurance companies.

• Teaching and counseling residents to make lifestyle choices which support their ability to remain at home safely.

• Using exceptional medical judgement to independently make medical decisions and effectively evaluate risk with multi-diagnosed clients (SUD, medical, cognitive, and mental health)

• Educating on-site staff about client's medical issues and outline best practices in working with the client.

• Using your expertise in client centered medical/counseling approach as you educate residents in the details of their diagnosis, medications, and lifestyle changes.

• Demonstrating a high-level of professional skills and cultural humility and harm reduction techniques when working with clients as it relates to various beliefs, lifestyles and their diagnoses

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• An Associate Degree or higher in Nursing

• Current California RN license

• 3 or more years nursing experience in home care, hospice, hospitals, community health clinics or similar programs addressing health needs; a Bachelor's Degree in nursing may be substituted for

• 1 year of experience; a Master's Degree in nursing may be substituted for 2 years of experience

• Excellent time and care management skills, with a strong ability to collaborate with multiple care teams.

• Ability to analyze complex medical materials and educate staff and residents

• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills

• Ability to communicate effectively while working with APS, doctors, and cognitively impaired clients

• Possess a high-level understanding of mental illness, SUD, and medical diagnosis'

• Strong ability to complete initial and annual comprehensive clinical assessments (medical, social, emotional)

• Possess expert-level knowledge in medications for both medical and mental illnesses, including side effects and interactions

• Knowledge of social and medical independent living models

• Possessing a strong skill set for promoting, organizing, & presenting sessions of interest on health-related topics from a client centered approach

• Ability to communicate effectively and work productively with residents and other professionals, both individually and in a group setting

• Advanced skills in identifying client, community and cultural needs and problem solving and implementing solutions in a team environment

• Ability to identify the residents' community culture and engage them in treatment that aligns with that culture

PREFERRED

• Spanish or Cantonese language skills

COMPENSATION:

• Range: $ 45.00 - 50.00/hr

This amount is not necessarily reflective of actual compensation that may be earned, nor a promise of any specific pay for any specific employee, which is always dependent on actual experience, education and other factors.

This range does not include any additional equity, benefits, or other non-monetary compensation which may be included.

We encourage you to learn more about IOA by visiting us here.

IOA reserves the right to adjust work hours or duties when appropriate.

Institute on Aging is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Institute on Aging is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive work environment and providing equal opportunities to all employees and job applicants without regard to age, race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neuro-diversity, disability, veteran status or any other protected category under federal, state and local law.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.