Afghan Senior Community Health Worker (CHW)

Description

Position: Afghan Senior Community Health Worker (CHW)

Program: Elder Multicultural Access and Support Services (EMASS) 

Classification:  Non-Exempt, Full-time (per 12 months until 6/30/25)

Pay range: $20-$22 per hour

Summary:

Funded by the County of San Diego-Behavioral Health Services for its Mental Health Services Act Prevention Early Intervention Enhancement Program, the UPAC EMASS programs provide multicultural outreach, mental health education, and support to older adults from multicultural communities. 

The EMASS East County CHWs provide health, wellness education, social and recreational activities to Afghan and Spanish speaking seniors in the North County region, 60 years old and over. The Afghan CHW will plan and implement outreach, engagement, and education for prevention and early intervention of mental health services in culturally and ethnically appropriate approaches and strategies to reach out to unserved Afghan seniors in places where they congregate e.g., senior apartments, senior center, Afghan restaurants, and shopping centers/markets. The goals and objectives of EMASS Program are: Increase level of connectedness, social support, and self-sufficiency among seniors. Increase involvement in self-care by senior. Reduce isolation while increasing socialization among seniors. Increase timely access to care of services navigated by seniors. Reduce disparities in care received by seniors. Decrease feelings of anger, stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms seniors. Reduce inappropriate utilization of health care services such as hospital emergency room and/or specialty services. Reduce and prevent institutionalization of seniors in residential or long-term care facilities. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

· Assist fellow Community Health Workers in promoting EMASS in the East County/Region and other areas as needed. 

· Provide education on mental health and wellness utilizing program created curriculum and/or evidence-based curriculum such as Good Mental Health is Ageless curriculum.

· Will help reach out the goal of serving more than 650 Afghan speaking and refugee older adults. 

· Provide education on cultural issues related to health and wellness.

· Provide referrals to additional services in the community

· Provide language interpretation in Afghan languages including Pashto. as needed.

· Provided written language translation from English to Afghan languages including Pashto. as needed

· Provide transportation coordination to participants for medical appointments and upon consultation to other services in the community to decrease isolation. 

· Must be able to provide timely and accurate reports of all outreach and education services provided

· Must be willing to provide health and wellness education to multicultural groups

· Participate in monthly planning activities with the EMASS Team.

· May be assigned by Program Manager to attend various County and other meetings as requested. 

· Participate in the outreach of Afghan refugee communities via community meetings, health fairs and other presented opportunities. 

· Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications:

· 1 years’ minimum experience conducting outreach in respective older adult community.

· Bilingual/bicultural in Afghan languages including Afghan languages including Pashto.

· Knowledge of San Diego mental health system as a consumer, family member or advocate

· High school diploma or equivalent

· Knowledge of theory and practice of psychotherapy, as well as principles and practice of community mental health.

· Commitment to cultural competence, and willing to work with a diverse group of community members and clients from various ethnic and refugee communities.

· Knowledge and understanding of the cultural issues that impact older adults from immigrant community.

· Ability to prepare written reports and records of services rendered.

· Must be comfortable in developing relationships with other Older Adult providers and healthcare providers.

· Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritize and successfully bring them to fruition.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

· Microsoft Suite Trained.

· Excellent interpersonal skills, including tact, diplomacy, patience and professionalism in dealing with individuals from a variety of backgrounds.

· Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding sensitive or proprietary information or materials.

· Knowledge and experience in working with Asian/Pacific Islander and other ethnic consumers, communities and staff.