Health Enrollment Assister

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit organization established in 1976 to serve immigrants, refugees, and the broader community in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to welcome, serve and empower refugees, immigrants and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. Find out more at www.irco.org.  

POSITION:                               Health Enrollment Assister

JOB CLASS/GRADE:                Specialist 1/Grade 8

WAGE:                                       Starting at $48,600 per year based on experience 

FLSA; EEO; WC:                        Non-Exempt; Professional; 8864

LOCATIONS:                             Greater Middle East Center (GMEC) 4915 SW Griffith Dr. Suite #216, Portland, OR 97005

                                                    Hybrid/In office at least 2 days per week

FTE; FT/PT; STATUS:                1.0 FTE; Full-Time with Benefits; Regular

NUMBER OF POSITIONS:      (1)

APPLY AT:                                 www.irco.org 

STATUS:                                    Full-Time with Benefits

PROGRAM(S):                          Health Enrollment & Outreach

SECTOR/DIVISION:                 Community Health & Wellness 

REQUIREMENTS:                     Bilingual in English and a second language preferred most needed languages: Spanish, Dari, 

                                                    Pashto, Arabic

                                                    Must be able to pass an extensive Background Check Certification of OHP Assist.

                                                     Certification as a community Health Worker in the State of Oregon (or ability to obtain 

                                                     certification within 6 months of hire)

                                                     Must possess a valid driver’s license, verification of current auto insurance, and have full use 

                                                     of an automobile during work hours and sometimes after hours. 

This job announcement is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job. This is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Program Summary
The Community Health and Wellness sector provides services that support the physical, behavioral, and emotional health and wellbeing of individuals and communities. Our staff are certified Traditional Health Workers (such as Community Health Workers (CHW), Peer Support Specialists (PSS) and Doulas) who offer direct services such as healthcare and systems navigation, health insurance enrollment, physical and emotional health support, adjustment support, mental health resource navigation, and client-directed case management. We also engage in community outreach and physical and emotional health education via community workshops, psycho-education support groups, and by hosting monthly health clinics that provide dental services, health services, and community resource information. 

Position Summary
The Health Enrollment Assister is responsible for enrollment of qualified individuals and families into State insurance coverage, focusing on the Medicaid (OHP) and Oregon Marketplace eligible populations, including those newly qualified under Healthier Oregon. The Health Enrollment Assister will accept referrals from community members and partners through pre-scheduled appointments or walk-ins. They will also participate in community outreach events, health fairs, insurance enrollment fairs, and community partner meetings. This position reports to the Health Enrollment and Outreach Coordinator.

Essential Functions

• Conduct eligibility screenings with clients and complete all intake paperwork.
• Help uninsured, Medicaid, and Oregon Market Place eligible Oregonians (including those newly qualified under Healthier Oregon) to understand options, gather needed documentation, enroll, or re-enroll in health care coverage in a variety of settings.
• Assist and support clients with health systems navigation and resource referral and connection. 
• Coordinate and transport supplies for outreach events and tabling that may include: folding table, folding chair, signage, tablecloth, supplies box, flyers, brochures, incentive/marketing items.
• Facilitate OHP Navigation and Vaccination health education community workshops.
• Conduct outreach activities to inform the community about their eligibility, and participate in community outreach events, health fairs, insurance enrollment fairs, and community partner meetings. 
• Participate in tabling at outreach events to promote OHP Enrollment and other Health programs.
• Advocate for applicants and follow up on applications as needed with Oregon’s central processing center.
• Complete required program documentation for tracking program activities and client services.
• Perform data entry of the clients or community members by following HIPAA policy and keeping data confidential.
• Prepare monthly reports with complete and consistent information to assist the supervisor to be able to submit to OHA in a timely manner and share the required data and information if needed.
• Attend required training and meetings assigned and required by IRCO and the funder.
• Complete other duties assigned by supervisors.

Secondary Functions

• Engage fully in required reading, including, monthly and weekly IRCO All-Staff emails, newsletters, memorandums, and communications
• Participation and attendance in IRCO All-Staff Meetings either in-person or virtually, as appropriate, is required

Education & Experience

MINIMUM JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be certified as an Oregon Health Plan Enrollment Assister in Oregon at the time of hire.
• Preferred to be certified as a Community Health Worker in Oregon at the time of hire.
• Experience working with or understand refugee and immigrant communities, particularly new arrivals
• A working knowledge of health reform in Oregon and the increased availability of health coverage options for all individuals and families
• Ability to lead people through complicated processes and systems with tact and understanding 
• Ability to use multiple computer systems and databases proficiently
• Experience facilitating community groups or workshops
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work after office hours and during weekend, on occasion, as needed
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Google Drive
• Strong written and verbal communication skills 
• Ability to function in a positive manner in a demanding work environment, to demonstrate a high degree of flexibility, to respond to priorities and schedules that change frequently, and to meet commitments 
• Must be able to maintain strict confidentiality and follow HIPAA policies and procedures.

Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements

• Hybrid remote, must be in office at least 2 days per week
• Physical: Positions at this level require some physical effort or manual labor such as lifting, carrying or constant movement. Positions with regular responsibility for driving are to be placed at least at this level.
• Mental: There is regular variation in tasks, and the job holder must decide which tasks to complete as well as the order in which tasks are completed 
• Environment: There is a moderately low level of personal risk encountered. Job conditions are occasionally uncomfortable relative to noise, temperature, inside /outside work, dirty conditions, or interactions with angry or hostile people
• Schedule: The work schedule occasionally fluctuates based on organization or customer needs. This fluctuation may occur with or without prior notice.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions, or responsibilities, but may occasionally be asked to orient and/or train new employees or volunteers.

What We Offer

IRCO is a very employee-friendly workplace and offers great benefit packages to our staff:

• Many flexible working arrangements and schedule
• Amazing opportunity to work with people who come from all over the world
• Work that helps your community 
• 3 to 6 weeks of PTO per year 
• 401k match of over 100% on first 5%, immediate vesting 
• 3% match for student loans or college savings 
• 12 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday
• Medical & Dental insurance options with 90% coverage for employee AND Families, no deductibles
• Employer Paid Life, Short term, and Long-term Disability Insurance 
• Flexible spending accounts

Required Engagement 

Engage fully in recommended professional development, as well as other assigned or required training activities. This engagement can also include participation in optional activities that embrace IRCO’s mission, vision, and values-based initiatives. 

How To Apply

1. Complete the IRCO application in our Careers Portal: IRCO Application for Employment.  
2. Upload your resume and cover letter addressing your qualifications for this position IRCO Careers.  
3. For questions about this position, please email [email protected]

Please note that physical applications are accessible from IRCO’s main office, 10301 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97220. Due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to contact applicants or return calls regarding applications. Complete applications should include a cover letter, resume, and IRCO application. 

IRCO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any characteristics protected by State and Federal law. We will make reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.