What we do here changes the world. UTHealth Houston is Texas' resource for healthcare education, innovation, scientific discovery, and excellence in patient care. That's where you come in.

We are seeking a compassionate and resourceful Community Peer Advocate to join our team in connecting any person who needs cancer screening to no cost care. This grant-funded role plays a vital part in improving access to care by providing advocacy, education, and personalized support. The ideal candidate will be well-versed in local community resources and skilled at helping individuals overcome barriers to achieving their health-related goals.

This position will also be actively involved in community outreach efforts to recruit patients and residents in the Jensen, Rosenberg, and Bayshore areas, where our host clinics are located, to complete cancer screenings and connect with preventive care services. Bilingual preferred.

Schedule:

This is a flexible 40-hour/week position, scheduled Monday through Saturday, with the expectation to work 1-2 Saturdays per month.

Once you join us you won't want to leave. It's because we reward our team for the excellent service they provide. Our total rewards package includes the benefits you'd expect from a top healthcare organization (benefits, insurance, etc.), plus:

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time - all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you'll accrue!
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!

We take care of our employees! As a world-renowned institution, our employees' wellbeing is important to us. We offer work/life services such as...

• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care
• Plus many more!

Position Summary:

Engages, supports and connects with research participants to services related to areas such as mental health, primary care, substance use and specialty health care services. Works to provide participants with prevention and care services in order to reduce risk behaviors and/or receive needed care. Serves as an advocate of the participant by identifying ancillary services to support their wellbeing; serves as a subject matter expert of all available services in the community and assists participants to identify and overcome barriers that interfere with achieving health related personal goals.

Position Key Accountabilities:

1. Interviews and establishes rapport with study participants in order to encourage complete accurate responses and continuing participation in the study. Establishes trust and maintains confidentiality and ethical accountability. Advocates for personal health and wellness goals and motivates them to be active and engaged in healthcare.
2. Contacts study participants to schedule site and/or clinical visits ensuring compliance with HIPPA standards.
3. Educates participants on how to advocate for themselves and effectively communicate their needs; supports them in overcoming barriers and building resilience.
4. Stay abreast of the evolving community needs, resources, services and programs available to provide personalized support to a diverse community. Establishes partnerships with referral programs and agencies.
5. Provides direct coaching and education to study participants as specified by study protocols. Works with study participants who are not adequately connected to health care and case management services; also works with at-risk study participants.
6. Refers participants to eligible programs and assists with the application process.
7. Handles administrative details such as data reporting and feedback on protocol development. Attends meetings, trainings and related forums.
8. Adheres to agency participatory expectations outlined by the department.
9. Other duties as assigned

Certification/Skills:

Bilingual - Spanish/English preferred
Good communication skills, both written and verbal
Demonstrated abilities to work independently, take responsibility for assignments with deadlines and work as part of a team are required.
Ability to provide customer-service-driven care to all participants.
Ability to set priorities and multitask in high pressure situations.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to conduct street and community outreach.

Minimum Education:

High school degree or equivalent.

Minimum Experience:

No experience required. One year of relevant work experience preferred.

Physical Requirements:

Exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount to move objects.

Security Sensitive:
This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code §51.215 and Texas Government Code §411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code §117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R. §791.4.
Residency Requirement:

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.