Part-Time Community Health Worker - Closes on 9/9/25 presso Ponca Tribe of Nebraska

Summary:

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is a federally recognized Tribe with its ancestral homeland located in Niobrara, NE. The Tribe does not have a reservation in the classic definition; rather, the Ponca Restoration Act defined its jurisdiction as a ‘Service Delivery Area’ comprised of 15 counties throughout parts of Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. Within its Service Delivery Area, the Tribe offers a broad range of health, social, educational, and cultural services. 

Incumbent will be responsible for implementing outreach health care services and health promotion/disease prevention services to Native Americans. 

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Assist the Public Health Department in developing and implementing health lifestyle programs.
2. Provide extensive outreach to Native Americans located in the Ponca service areas, encouraging, supporting and educating members by providing health promotion/disease prevention information and instruction in self-help services that address chronic health problems.
3. Conduct Native American public gatherings to conduct training sessions in the areas of safety, nutrition/dietetics, environmental health, and in other areas of trending health concerns.
4. Provide home health care services to assist elderly clients and those with chronic health problems.
5. Facilitate communications between community members and health care providers to enhance accessibility and acceptability of health care facilities.
6. Develop a referral network to assist Tribal members in meeting their health care needs and assess community health care resources to determine and address gaps in care.
7. Design and implement health education programs that provide primary, secondary, tertiary care. Providing prevention education, nutrition education, cholesterol screening, blood pressure checks and other health related education.
8. Serve as a patient advocate by arranging appointments, assisting patients with filling out forms or applications, and planning for follow-up services.
9. Provide limited/local transportation for health care appointments per transportation policy and will utilize transportation referral forms when no other transportation is available.
10. Make regular contact with clients with known chronic health diagnosis or at high risk of illness to ensure needs are being met.
11. Complete all required training pertaining to the CHW program to include the IHS CHR Online Training Modules, HeartSavers CPR Training, personal training certificate, and other trainings identified by the department.
12. Complete all required reports and documentation pertaining to the CHR CHW program and other required reports as directed by the Population Health Director.
13. Adhere to CHW matrix and scope of work per program.
14. Network with service providers and recipients through state, federal and local agencies.
15. Maintain confidentiality.
16. Other duties as assigned.

Relationships and Authority:

This position has no supervisory authority.

Working Environment and Physical Demands:

Must be physically able to drive defensively and safely. Sits, stands, bends, lifts and moves intermittently during work hours. Is subject to emotionally upset clients, family members, personnel and visitors. May periodically lift up to 100 lbs and occasionally more.

Qualifications:

Minimum:

1. Associates degree in health or related field or equivalent combination of experience and education in health or related field.
2. One year health related setting experience.
3. Computer proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access programs.
4. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
5. Valid driver’s license and be insurable.
6. Successfully pass drug and alcohol testing, motor vehicle, education, character, and criminal background checks.
7. Able and willing to travel.

Preferred:

1. Bachelor’s degree in health related field.
2. Certified Nurse’s Aide 
3. One or more year experience in grant and budget management.
4. One or more years experience working with Native Americans or Native American organizations. 
5. Knowledge and understanding of Public Law 93-638: Indian Self-Determination Act.

Preference will be given to Ponca Tribe of Nebraska members or members of a federally recognized tribe.  However, all qualified individuals are eligible.

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is an at-will employer.

Tribal Council Approval: 08/06/2024