Rhode Island Parent Information Network

Job Posting

Bilingual Cedar Peer Care Coordinator

About RIPIN:

RIPIN deploys a peer model to support people with special healthcare and education needs across the whole lifespan. Founded in 1991 by a group of parents of children with special needs, RIPIN continues to be peer-led: a majority of our board and more than three-fourths of our staff are parents or caretakers of loved ones with special needs. RIPIN’s peer professionals now help more than 45,000 Rhode Islanders every year navigate healthcare, schools, and other support systems.

Job Summary: Bilingual Peer Care Coordinator (PCC) provides peer-to-peer support to families and children with special health care needs; complete family assessments, with family, determine family goals and implement plan for achieving goals; link families to an array of supports and resources; provide input regarding services and programs in RI and system barriers to accessing services; encourage families to be an active voice in making changes to systems to better meet the needs of families and children with special health care needs.

Essential Functions:

• Outreach to referred families within agency guidelines
• Conduct a face-to-face Family Assessment and develop an individualized Family Care Plan
• Utilize motivational interviewing skills and culturally sensitive methods to identify family strengths, concerns, and natural supports for achieving their goals.
• Research and provide current resources and information on a variety of topics to support families.
• Collaborate with care coordination team, primary care and other clinical providers, community and state agencies, private health insurers, and Medicaid Managed Care Plans to support the identified needs of families and children.
• Provide Care Coordination of services and supports, while educating parents and primary caregivers in the navigation of systems of care for their CSHCN
• Promote person-centered care and medical home model
• Assist families as they transition to independence /case closure; provide follow up support as needed
• Maintain confidentiality standards and accurate documentation of case records
• Accept other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to provide peer perspective as an individual or family member of an individual with a disability, chronic condition, and/or special health care need
• Advanced knowledge of special health care and education systems in RI and other human service systems supporting families of children with disabilities and/or special healthcare needs
• High level of interpersonal skills, excellent communication skills, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to convey complex information in a clear and understandable manner
• Knowledge of RIPIN’s programs, mission, and vision
• Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple priorities and tasks
• Ability to effectively work independently and in collaboration with multiple staff
• Proficiency in computer and internet navigation as well as computer skills to maintain and update program related information
• Ability to present to small and large audiences that include consumers and stakeholders
• Must have reliable transportation for home visiting and attendance at various meetings

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma/GED required; Associates Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Education, Health or related field strongly preferred
• Experience supporting families and individuals with special health care and/or educational needs required.
• Demonstrated life experience as a consumer, parent or family member of a consumer with special health care and/or special education needs
• Experience working with and outreaching to diverse populations
• Fluency (speaking, reading, and writing) in English and Spanish required

Physical Demands:

• Regularly required to talk or hear.
• Regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
• Regularly required to climb stairs, reach, stretch, stand and bend.
• Required to have the ability to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Required to remain at their station for prolonged periods of time.

Working Conditions/ Work Environment:

• Primary work location is a climate-controlled indoor office environment; however, may also be required to conduct visits in private homes, climbing up to three flights of stairs, and community locations.
• Flexibility for travel related to job requirements.
• Willingness and ability to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Provide own reliable transportation with proof of valid driver’s license and RI minimum requirements of auto insurance.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

RIPIN provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.