Rhode Island Parent Information Network, Inc.

Job Posting

Bilingual Health Education Specialist, Information Line

Salary Range: $19-$21/hour

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.

Essential Functions:

• Answers incoming calls to the Health Information Line, the main point of entry for the public to contact RIDOH
• Maintains/updates program information, resource guides, etc.
• Regularly attends trainings from programs within the Department
• Understands and practices principles of good customer service
• Checks phone and email messages and responds to messages
• Maintains caller database, analyze data, and create reports
• Serves as first tier Information Line staff in the event of an emergency (e.g. flu vaccine shortages, Blackstone water system, etc.)
• Translates and/or reviews translations of Department education materials (Spanish or Portuguese)
• Assists program staff with focus groups (in multiple languages)– recruiting, note taking, and/or reporting
• Reaches out into communities to inform about Information Line service (this includes radio talk shows, health fairs, etc.)
• Assists with periodic surveys, e.g., survey to doctors’ offices regarding Department education materials
• Renews health professional and facilities licenses
• Receives and processes complaints over the phone, email, mail or from walk ins
• Accept other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of L2K to renew health professional license
• Knowledge of Power Term system (provide information on Vital Records)
• Excellent customer service and call management skills
• Excellent bilingual written and oral communication skills needed to succinctly and effectively communicate and collaborate with staff and the community
• Ability to work both independently and as an effective team member
• Proficient in Microsoft Office/computer skills to maintain data and prepare reports
• Knowledgeable of the Rhode Island health care environment and resources
• Demonstrated prior success in accessing community-based resources in Rhode Island

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and equivalent work experience to meet needs of the position
• Community Health Workers certification preferred; non-certified incumbents are expected to earn certification within 18 months of hire date

•A combination of education and skills to effectively carry out responsibilities and assignments •Previous employment experience in the field of health care or social services

• Minimum of two years’ experience in customer service, preferably in a human services setting
• Any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience
• Bilingual (English and Spanish or Portuguese) oral and written proficiency

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to climb stairs, reach, stretch, stand and bend. The employee frequently lifts and/or moves up to 25 pounds. Employee is also 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
• Fast paced environment
• Flexibility for occasional travel related to job requirements
• Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends as needed
• Provide own reliable transportation with proof of RI requirements of auto insurance

The physical demands and work environment characteristics 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.

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.

Please note: As of January 10, 2022, all persons employed by RIPIN are required to have completed a full vaccination series against the COVID-19 virus or submit to weekly COVID-19 PCR testing.