Health Educator

Scarborough Centre for Healthy Communities (SCHC) is dedicated to providing accessible, equitable, and transformational health and social service choices for the well-being of Scarborough's diverse communities. We cultivate vital community services by promoting healthy lifestyles while delivering a comprehensive range of culturally competent health and social services programming. Our I2CARE values ensure that we, as a work community, treat all with inclusivity, innovation, collaboration, accessibility, respect and equity.

As an employer, we strive for excellence as a workplace and are committed to building a workforce that enhances our capacity to meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve.

We are currently looking to hire an:
**Health Educator & Resource Specialist**
**1 - Full-Time Permanent (35 hours per week)**

**Reporting To**:Manager of Community Supports

**Purpose**:The Health Educator and Specialist (HERS) will be part of an interdisciplinary group dedicated to providing comprehensive, culturally appropriate and holistic support to deserving Scarborough residents through preventative health programs. In collaboration with their team, the HERS will focus on creating innovative and engaging wellness clinics specifically for members of the Black community. Ensuring that programs are evidence-informed will be key to improving the health of the Black diaspora of Scarborough who access them. These programs will provide information about preventative care and wellness initiatives as well as connect clients to resources in the community that provide culturally appropriate and responsive prevention models.

**Key areas of responsibility**:

- The HERS will ensure clients are connected to the right resource at the right time and ensure barriers are reduced wherever possible.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate community based preventative health programming based on priorities and targeted at the Black population group.
- The HERS will help residents improve their awareness of and access to health promotion services and behaviors throughout their health and wellness journey. This will involve providing one-on-one and group education on preventive care topics.
- The HERS will use an approach that is supportive, empathetic, open
- minded and non-judgmental as they assess client's needs and co-develop solutions to create prevention plans that are culturally sensitive, anti-racist and trauma-informed.
- Individual prevention plans will include an assessment of the current state, action planning based on clients' needs, referral coordination, and follow-ups with the client. Facilitate linkages between clients and community resources and collaborate with appropriate service providers or community organizations.
- Continuous engagement with clients throughout their journey to ensure effective outcomes based on the client's needs and priorities.
- Participate in providing education to community service providers and other stakeholders regarding culturally responsive service.
- Support clients’ awareness of and access to health promotion care and decisions using
- motvational interviews and brief action planning.
- Identify issues and provide advice, consultation, support, and information to clients, their
- families, service providers and the community on mental health and related matters.

**Skills and Attributes**:

- Demonstrated effectiveness in engaging the Black community.
- Demonstrated skills in decreasing service access barriers when working with marginalized individuals.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate with partners and stakeholders including, youth workers, social workers, and primary health care providers.
- Experience in working with the Black community, women's health and mental health and addiction an asset.
- Knowledge and experience principals of Anti-Black Racism and the concept of unconscious biases.
- Thorough knowledge of broad determinants of health and issues affecting low income, multi-lingual, the Black community, and 2SLGBTQ+ communities.
- Knowledge of mental health and substance use issues for children/youth.
- Knowledge of community resources, health promotion and social determinants of health.
- Strong communication (verbal/written), organizational and time management skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
- Demonstrated group facilitation skills.

**Essential Qualifications (Knowledge, Experience)**:

- An undergraduate degree in a health or social science discipline from a recognized university.
- Graduate degree considered an asset.

**Educational and/or Professional Qualifications**:

- Allied health and/or health promotion professional preferred.
- Minimum 3 years of case management, supportive listening, life coaching and goal setting.
- Minimum 3 years of’ experience working directly with diverse communities and vulnerable populations.
- Knowledge of and experience in supporting the Black Social Determinatse of Health
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