What’s New

Metro Health is hiring for temporary positions as indicated below to assist with the COVID-19 response.  Hours are 32 to 40 hours per week.

Hourly rate:  $16.25.

Positions:

§  10 Community Health Workers – Under general administrative direction, will be responsible for assisting with Metro Health’s Walk Up COVID-19 testing sites in all supporting tasks and operations (testing dates are Thursdays – Saturdays).

§  10 Community Health Workers – Will provide COVID-19 prevention and testing information to marginalized communities by visiting businesses, apartment complexes, clinics, faith-based and non-profit organizations.  In addition, Community Health Workers will support with webinar presentations, documenting, and sharing frequently asked questions with the City’s 311 Call Center.

Interested candidates should email their resume to Ricardo.iruegas@sanantonio.gov our HR Liaison and state “Community Health Worker” on their resume.

“The project is meant to improve the physical and cognitive functions and the quality of life in older Latino adults through incorporating the Chinese health qigong exercise Five Animal Play into their everyday lives”

Learn more here https://www.utsa.edu/today/2020/05/story/seniors-stress-research.html

“Contact tracing is a method used to find and follow up with people who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. People who were around this individual are called contacts. By tracing the contacts of COVID-19 cases, having them self-isolate, if necessary, and testing, when appropriate, we can reduce the spread of coronavirus” Texas Deparment of State Health Services

https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/coronavirus/tracing.aspx

Dear Community Health Worker:

We are collaborating with Luz M. Garcini, PhD., MPH. of the Center for Research to Advance Community Health (ReACH) and we are extending the following invitation.

“The COVID pandemic has increased distress in our communities, and we would like to provide you and your community with coping strategies to protect your mental health and wellness. We invite you to participate in an online needs assessment focus group and brief survey to tell us what the current mental health needs in your community as a result of the COVID pandemic are and how we could help you address such needs.

We will use the information gathered from the groups to develop an online mental health and wellness prevention training program that will be offered free of charge to you and other CHWs throughout South Texas.

Please see the attached flyer for additional information and days for the needs assessments. To sign up for one of the focus groups, please email Dr. Luz Garcini at garcini@uthscsa.edu to reserve your spot. Each group will be limited to 20 CHWs. If you cannot attend on the dates given, email us to let us know that you are interested so that we can create additional groups.

Your feedback and knowledge is essential during this challenging time! Please email us if you have any questions”.

In gratitude,

Luz M. Garcini, PhD., MPH.

Assistant Professor

Center for Research to Advance Community Health (ReACH)

UT Health San Antonio

Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine

7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, Texas

619-755-7374

garcini@uthscsa.edu

Are you ready to begin your journey in becoming a Texas Department of State Health Services certified Community Health Worker and at the same time get academic credits towards an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Community Health? Then the CHW program at Northwest Vista is the best option for you.

Follow the link below to see the class schedule for the upcoming Fall semester.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ASkfZHSQ2hAl66nV5r_UMtYKaVBBDKXu/view?usp=sharing

For more information visit:  https://www.alamo.edu/nvc/chw

As a parent, you want to protect your little one from harm. Vaccinating your baby according to the recommended immunization schedule gives him the best protection against 14 serious childhood illnesses—like measles and whooping cough—before he is 2 years old.  National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is April 25-May 2, 2020.  During NIIW, communities across the country will celebrate the critical role vaccination plays in protecting the health of our children, families, and communities.

SACHWA encourages you to make sure your child is up to date on vaccines by reviewing the 2020 easy-to-read immunization schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  Wondering why the schedule is so important?  Read The Ultimate Babyproofing Plan: 6 Reasons to Follow CDC’s Immunization Schedule. If you’re pregnant, now is a great time to find a doctor for your baby and schedule a visit to discuss any questions you have about vaccines. You can also learn more about how vaccines work by watching CDC’s new series of three 1-minute videos.

For more information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent, visit these resources: 

• CDC’s vaccine website for parents and Infant Immunization FAQs
• The American Academy of Pediatrics’ Healthy Children website
• Vaccinate Your Family
• The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education Center

If you have questions, talk to your child’s doctor.

During this week, we celebrate all health workers around the globe and we honor their contribution and dedication saving lives, keeping communities informed and connected.

“Frontline health workers are midwives, community health workers, pharmacists, peer counselors, nurses, and doctors working at the community level as the first point of care for communities. They are the backbone of effective health systems and often come from the very communities they serve. Let’s work together to urge countries, donors, and policymakers to foster additional health worker leadership by increasing access to leadership training, skills-building, and mentorship programs and addressing gender inequalities in leadership opportunities (WHO).

“During April 5-11, tell the world why we need more health workers who are well-prepared and equipped on the front lines. Join the Frontline Health Workers Coalition, our 40+ members, the World Health Organization, and partners around the world as we celebrate World Health Worker Week (WHWW) on social media under our theme, Leaders on the Line. This is a time for advocates to point out the amazing work and potential of frontline health workers; highlight the challenges and risks they face; and mobilize countries, communities, donors, partners, and policymakers to make greater investments in frontline health workers worldwide (Frontlinehealthworker.org).”

Use these Hashtags during World Health Week:

#WHWWeek                   
Secondary: 

#HealthWorkersCount #CHWs #PromotoresDeSalud

#GHSecurity     #InvestinHealthWorkers  #HealthForAll #COVID19

#HealthHeroes #HeroinesofHealth #WomenDeliverHealth #SupportNursesandMidwives

Key Messages to Share during World Health Week

Advocacy messages

• Frontline health workers must have a seat at policy-making tables.
• Frontline health workers are critical to the success of all US & global health programs.
• Honor the health heroes responding to outbreaks, disasters, and conflict, and urge greater support for and protection of health workers so they can safely perform their jobs.

For More Actions Ideas, visit:

https://www.frontlinehealthworkers.org/world-health-worker-week

“I responded to the Census because I count too” Ludi,CHW

Colleagues,

I hope this message finds you doing well. As we are all adjusting our lives to make the best with what we have while supporting our families and continuing to work either from the safety and comfort of our homes [for some] or continuing to go to work as usual, I pray that you find strength, courage, and wisdom to continue thriving and moving forward.

Let’s all do what we can to stay informed and to only consume and share information conducive to understanding this disease of COVID-19. We can help others understand the seriousness and benefits of practicing social distancing and good hygiene along with other preventative measures recommended by public health officials and health care providers by being responsible role models and advocates.

Changing the behavior and culture to adjust to social distancing recommendations in addition to the economical, emotional, mental, and physical health impact this public health crisis is causing is overwhelming, to say the least. But It is evident that we need each other and of our community to get us through this public health crisis and therefore we need to do what we can to be positive influencers in helping others around us to change their behavior and approach. We can do this by dispelling any myths, fears or misinformation and by modeling handwashing, social distancing and safe greeting alternatives as well as connecting people to needed services.

Furthermore, I commend those of you taking care of your families, children, the elderly and those with immunocompromised systems. I also, applaud every effort made by you in helping the community by volunteering, donating to local organizations, buying local, by continuing serving your clients/patients and students and by buying only the necessary items for your family.

Collectively, we can all do our part to contain the community spread of the virus. Please stay safe and practice precaution when interacting with individuals and when returning home to your family and loved ones.

Reach out for support to fellow CHWs or friends and stay connected.

Sincerely,

Guadalupe Cornejo, CHWI

A message from San Antonio Metropolitan Health District:

The best way to prevent infection is to take precautions to avoid exposure to this virus, which are similar to the precautions you take to avoid the flu. CDC always recommends these everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

All CHWs and health educators have an important responsibility of disseminating facts and informing the community using best practices and reliable information. Please visit Metropolitan Health District website to access updates, fact sheets and other educational material.

https://www.sanantonio.gov/Health/News/Alerts/CoronaVirus?fbclid=IwAR1ErtTzfLiryfgw0T-vwBHZrnaMt9Vq89iIWUOk3kqPv-IrIKvUHp5BaOo

Healthcare Surveyor

Phase I – Research Surveys

Job Type:                     Temporary Staffing

Assignment Dates:     10/28/19 – 7/31/2020

Work Hours/Days:     Variable schedule, Mon-Fri 8am-5pm (10-15 hours/week)

Work Sites:                 Pleasanton, TX and surrounding communities (within 30 miles)

Specific Duties:

• Follows study protocol as defined by the Principal Investigator, Program Director or Research Staff
• Administers surveys and conducts other assessments with study participants in a community setting, both indoors and outdoors
• With general oversight from the Principal Investigator, works closely with and reports to the Research Coordinators to implement study protocol
• Record participant measurements and organize and maintain study participants records
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Able and willing to travel to various community settings
• Ability to occasionally lift study equipment or supplies, up to 25 pounds
• Strong skills in both written and oral communication

Qualifications:

• 18+ years of age with valid Texas drivers license
• Required Licenses/Certifications Required: CITI – Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Training to be provided to Research team)
• Computer Programs: Microsoft Office Suite including MS Word, Outlook and Excel
• Computer Experience: Intermediate level
• Must have current immunizations including annual flu shot , annual TB Skin test (PPD), MMR, Varicella-zoster, TDAP and Hep B series

Please submit resumes with contact information to:

Melissa Garay, Talent Acquisition Specialist

InGenesis

mgaray@ingenesis.com

www.ingenesis.com