Community Health Organizer - Southwestern PA

Job Description

Community Health Organizer-Intermediate



"Community Health Organizer

Minimum Qualifications



Community activist or public health educated.

Community activist with understanding of community dynamics and organizing skills. Individuals without experience must be college educated and have experience through community service activities.



? Knowledge of non-professional health care services designed to improve

the ability of individuals to perform daily living activities.

? Ability to read and interpret written materials.

? Ability to communicate effectively orally.

? Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

? Ability to effectively speak publicly.



Role Description:

In 2020, the Office of Health Equity began adapting the existing Public Health

3.0 model into Health Equity Zones [HEZ]. The HEZ initiative is a place-based

model designed to improve health outcomes across the Commonwealth of

Pennsylvania-addressing socioeconomic and environmental determinants of

health, eliminating health disparities and ensuring access to quality health care

services for all Pennsylvanians.



The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected Pennsylvania's

underserved communities, with individuals at higher risk due to underlying

conditions such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, chronic kidney disease and

asthma, just to name a few. According to the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention [CDC], "long-standing systemic health and social inequities have put

some members of racial and ethnic minority groups at increased risk of getting

COVID-19 or experiencing severe illness, regardless of age." In order to combat

this disparity, it is crucial to ensure the equitable distribution of vaccinations.

Utilizing data obtained, the Office of Health Equity will identify communities

with poor health outcomes and support State Health Centers (SHC) in

developing local capacity in order to increase vaccinations.



The CHO will work with community partners to identify vaccination sites,

promote vaccination clinics, identify trusted messengers to promote vaccination

and prevention tactics. CHO's will develop county coalitions that address

immediate needs and future opportunities.



CHO's will help community members access basic needs like food, PPE, mental

health services, while providing updated information on mitigation strategies.



"