Tribal Perinatal Services Social Worker - Closes 4/17/2025

Tribal Perinatal Services Social Worker - Arcata - Closes 4/3/25

SUMMARY:

The Tribal Perinatal Services (TPS) Social Worker provides services for the Native American community, within the UIHS service area, in order to address the unique healthcare needs and disparities faced by birthing people and their families. Position will be dedicated to providing culturally humble, culturally centered support services to enhance comprehensive perinatal services. Position will combine case management services that include enhancement of cultural practices, based on traditional leader guidance, address unmet needs of clients, and coordinate access to services within UIHS and the broader community to enhance wrap around perinatal care. Role will require excellent documentation and reporting ability in order to inform program evaluation and improvement efforts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Level I:

• Provide enhanced care case management services to improve perinatal health outcomes for Native American birthing families. This position will seek to increase access to care including but not limited to medical services, traditional healing practices, mental health and substance use treatment, dental care, vision services, health and nutrition education, while also improving access to resources which address social determinants of health.
• Respectfully incorporate cultural philosophies and practices into care plans while addressing the specific health needs of Native American birthing people and advocating for barriers of care.
• Participates in required Partnership Health Plan training, as well as other relevant trainings, to further education and keep current with state-of-the-art practices.
• Work in collaboration with the various healthcare teams to enhance access to care, provide wrap around services, and develop trusting relationships within the tribal and urban Native American communities.
• Provide comprehensive enhanced care case management services to Native American pregnant individuals by addressing their physical, emotional, and social needs throughout the perinatal period. 
• Coordinate access to prenatal care, traditional healing practices, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and social services as needed.

• Maintain accurate and confidential client records, documentation, and reports in compliance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements.
• Enters and retrieves data from the Electronic Health Record (EHR).
• Participate in program development initiatives to improve service delivery and client outcomes.
• Collaborate with Perinatal Community Health Representatives (CHR), as well as Doula Collective(s) working with birthing women and their families.
• Collect data on health outcomes and service utilization among Native American pregnant individuals to inform program evaluation and improvement efforts.
• Facilitate access to prenatal and postpartum care, including scheduling appointments and arranging transportation.
• Collaborates in the development and use of policies and plans that support ongoing collaborative programs supporting pregnant clients and young families.

• Understanding of trauma informed care practices and how they apply within native communities.

• Must be willing to learn about the American Indian culture and attend at least one cultural presentation/training per year.
• Performs all duties in accordance with UIHS Mission, Vision, and Guiding principles.

Level II – competent in the above-mentioned in addition to the following:

• Capable of functioning independently at satellite clinic sites.
• Assists with orientation and training for new enhanced care management staff.
• Assists in development of department policies and procedures, and quality improvement activities as directed.
• Must lead one educational in-service per calendar year.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Level I:  This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Level II: This job shall supervise the activities of TPS Social Worker I.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Strong communication, interpersonal, and advocacy skills. Ability to problem solve and seek solutions when differences in opinions occur.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
• Proficiency in record keeping, data management, and computer skills.
• Cultural humility as it pertains to difference between tribes, traditions, and healthcare beliefs, and a demonstrated ability to provide culturally based care to address the needs of Native American populations
• Knowledge of Native American culture, traditions, and healthcare beliefs encouraged but not required.
• Previous experience working with Native American communities, preferably in a healthcare or social services setting

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: Educational degrees must be from a US Department of Education accredited school.

Level I:

• Must have a High School diploma or general education diploma (GED).
• Associate degree encouraged but not required.

Level II – above-mentioned and:

• Must have an Associate degree; or
• Minimum of four (4) years of similar experience.

COMPUTER OPERATIONS

• Must have proficient computer skills, such as keyboard, electronic mail, word processing.
• Ability to work with data management with Microsoft Excel or other similar software.
• Must be able to learn an Electronic Health Records (EHR) system.