We are looking to hire a Research Assistant (RA) I to work as a Community Health Worker (CHW) to help with the Screening for Poverty And Related social determinants and intervening to improve Knowledge of and links to resources (SPARK) study at Platinum Medical Clinic (3170 Eglinton Ave. E. Scarborough, ON M1J 2H3). The study is looking to help patients address social needs (such as income, employment, housing, food security) and reduce their anxiety.
Patient participants will meet with the RA acting as a CHW to set goals and make a plan to meet their health and social needs. The RA acting as a CHW will work with them one-on-one for six weeks to help them. This position needs someone who can work well on their own, is good at solving problems and who can communicate well. Working together with patients and listening to what they need, you will help them with selecting and setting health goals, following-up with social supports, navigating the health system, finding community resources, and behaviour change counselling.
Responsibilities:
- Go to a virtual two week training program focused on:
- Cultural Safety Training
- Relationship and trust building
- Motivational interviewing
- Goal setting and action planning
- Goal support and confidence building
- Connection to resources
- Set up video/teleconference meetings for research studies, including contacting participants, and preparing for participant meetings.
- Travels to participant sites as required.
- Collects data via phone calls, interviews.
- Collects, transcribes, organizes, quality controls, and enters study related data
- Interacts with internal and external stakeholders in order to provide study support.
- Follows strict protocols for participant interactions.
- Follows patient/employee confidentiality and safety practices and policies.
- Appropriate identification, reporting, and response to patient/employee confidentiality breaches and safety events in accordance with established policies and procedures.
- Organizes office/lab space.
- Performs other duties as required
Qualifications
- Undergraduate Degree or 1 year of relevant experience OR demonstrable equivalent combination of specialized education and experience
- Knowledge of community¿s resources, lived-experience of seeking help from community resources is an asset
- Highly motivated and empathetic
- Excellent communication (verbal/written) and interpersonal skills.
- Basic computer skills, particularly database, spreadsheet and word processing.
- TCPS CORE 2 is preferred (Completed within first 2 weeks of hire)
- Good clinical practice certificate is an asset (Completed within first 2 weeks of hire)
- Some training in system navigation or health promotion an asset
- High school diploma or equivalent an asset
- Experience as Community Health Worker in Primary Care is an asset
