PUBLIC HEALTH OUTREACH WORKER 22092

07/01/92 E

This is the second class in the Public Health Outreach Worker series that performs non-technical duties to publicize the availability of specific health care services. The work is performed under the immediate direction of health care professionals in community based settings such as homes, schools, community centers, health fairs, and churches. Positions in this class inform patients of available health resources, encourage appropriate and timely utilization of health and community resources, and provide or arrange transportation to health care facilities. This class is distinguished from the lower level Public Health Outreach Worker Assistant class which is assigned to a limited aspect of a public health program.

Complexity of Work: Performs diversified work of moderate complexity to market health care services and encourage patients to use appropriate health and community resources. Positions provides information to patients relative to program criteria, service eligibility, health department and other federal, state, and local agency services to individuals, families, and groups. This class distributes informational pamphlets and literature; schedules, monitors and follows up on clinic appointments and clinic failures through telephone or home visits, and provides transportation to clients for clinic visits. Contacts patients referred to other health care resources for follow up to ensure that patients understand recommendations. Positions in this class provide basic health education related to assigned programs such as personal hygiene, contraception, parenting skills, appointment keeping, family planning, growth and development, breast self-examination, cervical cancer and sexually transmitted diseases. Positions develop and maintain lists of references of other agency services. Positions in this class may assist health care professionals in performing clinical examinations of patients, in recruitment and training of outreach volunteers, and in translating or arranging for the translating of foreign languages for services to health department clients and potential clients, families, and groups.

Supervision Given: Supervision is not a factor.

Supervision Received: Immediate supervision is received from a health care professional assigned responsibilities for a specific Health Department program or programs.

Scope: Positions in this class promote health care services of the local health department and home care services that affect the accuracy and reliability of services provided patients, their understanding of services, program eligibility and medical care.

Impact of Actions: Proper service and information fosters a positive image of the local health department. Improper decisions could result in poor service and wrong information provided to the public, inconvenience, confusion, and minor time, money and goodwill costs may be incurred.

Personal Contacts: Frequent internal and external contacts are made with clients and medical staff concerning routine Health Department services, appointments and the provision of routine information. Contacts with prospective patients are made through group meetings, health fairs, and door-to-door canvassing.

Knowledge: Some knowledge of interviewing techniques and non-technical clinical practices.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to perform routine outreach and follow-up on patient care requiring public contact with individuals, families, and groups; to prepare reports; to gain the acceptance and trust of people and other agencies; to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; and to possibly translate foreign languages for clients.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

License or Certification: None.

Education or Training: High school graduation or equivalent.

Level and Type of Experience: Some experience involving public contact in a health care setting.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledges and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This class specification was revised effective July 1992.