POSITION OPENING
Philadelphia Health Corps/A Program of AmeriCorps
The Philadelphia Health Corps, a program of AmeriCorps, seeks individuals who are interested in educating people about important health issues, willing to work hard on behalf of the community, and planning on furthering their own education. A strong commitment to community service is essential. Previous experience related to health care or social work is a plus. Full -time positions are available. A living allowance, money for college, graduate school or to pay off student loans, and necessary training are provided.
Please pass this information on to any one you think would be interested in this position opening!
What is the Philadelphia Health Corps?
The Philadelphia Health Corps (PHC) is a program designed to “open doors to better health” in underserved Philadelphia communities. Teams of PHC members are assigned to community health centers and other community-based organizations where they assist physicians, nurses, social workers, health educators and other staff in providing services such as case management and conducting outreach and health promotion activities.
What do Philadelphia Health Corps members do?
Philadelphia Health Corps members conduct various forms of outreach and facilitating services intended to assist individuals and families in accessing health care and other related services. Some of the outreach activities include networking with neighborhood organizations and staffing health fairs. Facilitating services include activities such as conducting individual and family needs assessments, case management, benefits assistance, and advocacy.
Members also facilitate a wide range of health related educational programs on topics such as nutrition, pre-natal care, immunizations, lead, cancer awareness, and STD/HIV prevention. One on one and group presentations take place in individual homes, health center waiting rooms, and other community based settings (placement sites). Each Philadelphia Health Corps member is also involved in one of two special initiatives; Open Airways in Schools, an asthma management program for young children, and the Wall of Hands program, teaching elementary school children peaceful conflict resolution skills.
What is a typical day like?
There is no typical day because activities which members are involved in
vary, from site to site (and there are about 15 sites) and from season to season. However, the following offers some examples of service activities in different categories with quotes from present-day members.
Case Management and Home Visiting
“While going through immunization cases I brought three children, who were delayed in their shots to the doctor and now they are up-to-date.”
“Today I helped a clients to enroll in the Prescription Assistance Program, a program that allows low-income clients to receive free medication.”
“Today I escorted a client who had a stroke while we were at the hospital. I am glad that I was there to make sure she went to the Emergency Room to be seen.”
Outreach
“We completed and distributed our newsletter. We are very proud of the content and professionalism of our newsletter.”
Health Promotion
“This week I went to several elementary schools to discuss nutrition education with the students. I taught about the food guide pyramid and stressed ‘5 a-day’ vegetables and fruits.”
“I’ve been working with the Lead Safe Baby Program. The lead project is a great outreach program to new moms to teach them how to prevent their babies from being lead poisoned.”
“I believe that the asthma classes we taught this week are helping the students. Through knowledge and communication they begin to understand that they can be empowered enough to manage their asthma.”
General Comments
“ I am trying my very best at whatever I am doing. I try very hard to make people aware of the health related services that are available to them.”
“Even though there are a number of health resources it does not mean that people utilize them because they are not aware of them. The Philadelphia Health Corps is a great way of letting people know about health issues and the resources that are available to them.”
What benefits do AmeriCorps members receive?
The greatest benefit is the personal and professional growth and sense of accomplishment that results from being of service. Once enrolled, members receive comprehensive pre-service training followed by bi-weekly in-service trainings throughout the year. In exchange for 11months of results-driven service, AmeriCorps members receive a modest living allowance $9,000 annual gross (broken into bi-weekly checks of about $350.00)) and upon successful completion of service, a post-service education award of $4,725. The education award can be accessed for up to seven years following the program completion and may be used to pay back qualified student loans or for future education expenses. AmeriCorps members are also eligible for loan forbearance (interest paid by AmeriCorps) on qualified student loans while enrolled in the program.
In addition, members receive funding for local transportation, health insurance and a childcare allowance (if applicable).
What kind of training do AmeriCorps members receive?
All AmeriCorps members participate in training throughout their year of service. Training is facilitated by AmeriCorps staff, other qualified experts in health, human service and human relations fields, and AmeriCorps alumni. In addition to the trainings listed below, members are able to suggest or coordinate other sessions that they feel would enhance their service experience.
Typical training topics include:
Communication
Assessing and Responding to Clients’ Needs
Leadership
Child Safety
Preventing STDs and HIV
Family Violence
Behavioral Health
Complimentary Medicine and Alternative Healing
Presentation Skills
Conflict Resolution and Mediation
Understanding Diversity
Group Facilitation Skills
Working with People with Disabilities
Pursuing a Health Professions Career
CPR and First Aid
Public Assistance and Welfare Reform
In addition, Philadelphia Health Corps members are encouraged to develop their leadership ability. This takes place through members’ facilitation of bi-weekly group meetings and through involvement in special projects such as coordination of national days of service or on committees such as the newsletter or training committee.
Who can become an AmeriCorps member?
Philadelphia Health Corps members may be of any age and almost every educational level. Some members have completed college and are heading to medical or graduate school, some are in the midst of their college career, or some have been out of school for many years. All AmeriCorps members must have a high school diploma/G.E.D. or commit to receiving their G.E.D. during their term of service. All members must be U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents. We value individuals who have already demonstrated a commitment to service through previous volunteer work and who have an interest in a career in the health profession or human services.
How do I become a Philadelphia Health Corps member?
If you are interested in serving as an AmeriCorps-Philadelphia Health Corps member, the first step is requesting an information/application packet. You can do this by:
Calling (215) 567-8001 ext. 19. Brian Leffler (to talk to a live person during normal business hours and to request an application)
Calling (215) 567-8001 ext. 14. Mailbox (Just to request an information/application packet)
Emailing: philadelphia_health_corps@hotmail.com (To request an application)
After returning your application to the Philadelphia Health Corps offices, it will be reviewed and you may be invited to a screening interview with PHC staff and members. If you pass the screening, a site supervisor will interview you. If a site supervisor selects you you will be invited to join the program and start training the second week in September.
***********************************************************************************
Additional information regarding AmeriCorps and the network of national and community service programs can be found on the Internet at the following web sites:
Corporation for National Service: www.cns.gov