Health Coach

Health Coach  

Summary:

The Health Coach is a “change agent” who helps community members set and achieve health goals and build new habits emphasizing diabetes prevention and management to improve the well-being of patients and the population served.  This position is responsible for increasing individual involvement in prevention and understanding how to approach lifestyle behavioral change best to avoid, reduce the incidence, or lessen the effects of chronic lifestyle-related diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.  The Health Coach helps patients gain the knowledge, skills, tools, and confidence to participate actively in their care by assisting patients in identifying their own health goals and supporting their efforts to achieve them.  This position is committed to the constant pursuit of excellence in improving the health status of the communities we serve within the Chugach Region.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Helps patients assess current habits, determine desired changes, and develop strategies for success to improve their health and wellness. 
• Assesses and helps patients understand their “why,” or their motivation for change.
• Assists patients with their process of planning for change. Identifies behavior and habit changes to help individuals transform their lives. 
• Empowers patients to set their own health and wellness goals (or supports them as they strive to stick to a treatment plan from a healthcare practitioner) and offers support as they make progress. 
• Works with patients to establish the best course of action and approach/timeline for change. 
• Connects possible nutrition and lifestyle changes to each patient’s goals and partners with patients to create realistic, safe, and effective personalized plans. 
• Provides support and accountability for goal setting.
• Uses health and wellness knowledge to help patients navigate their health concerns and adopt healthy lifestyle habits to improve their well-being. 
• Meets with patients (in person, virtually, or over the phone) to develop goals and discuss goals, progress, and challenges.
• Provides community outreach and project planning, assists with events, and provides services focusing on those with or at risk for diabetes.
• Works with the healthcare team and community leadership to plan events and educate patients on physical activity and nutrition, including in-person participation at all regional health events.
• Provides direct and telehealth service support to those in need. 
• Develops and conducts wellness education videos and seminars for communities. 
• Develops health care plans tailored to each person’s needs.
• Implements a wellness/coaching program that is culturally appropriate.
• Initiates and maintains ongoing outreach and education activities to increase community awareness of available services.  
• Develops and distributes health education materials, including quarterly article contributions to our organization's newsletter. 
• Coordinates with other health care providers for optimal services and care for patients served.
• Utilizes patient-based tracking systems or clinical databases to track, monitor, and ensure the appropriate follow-up of patients. Utilizes other software packages and applications for ordering, scheduling, and tracking patient care.
• Establishes measures to address targeted health indicators by working with designated healthcare providers.
• Documents all patient care and communication in the patient’s electronic health record accurately and promptly. 
• Provides quarterly program reporting.
• Conforms to safety policies and general housekeeping practices.
• Demonstrates sound work ethics, flexible, and shows dedication to the position.
• Demonstrates a positive attitude, is respectful, and possesses cultural awareness and sensitivity toward clients and co-workers.
• Keep customer service and the mission of the organization in mind when interacting with all clients, co-workers, and others.
• Expected to be prepared to start shift on time, meet attendance standards, and work the hours necessary to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Employees are expected to embrace, support and promote the core values of respect, integrity, trust, compassion and quality which align with Chugachmiut’s Mission and Vision through their actions and interactions with all patients, staff, and others.
• Conforms to Chugachmiut policies, strict employee confidentiality, and patient privacy regulations (HIPAA & 42 C.F.R. Part 2).
• Performs other duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Two to five years of experience providing nutritional and/or physical activity wellness services and/or education required.
• Diabetes Prevention Program Lifestyle Coach Certificate or ability to obtain a certificate of completion within six months of hire.
• CPR certification required or the ability to obtain within 3 months of hire.

Hours of Work:

The work hours are Monday to Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with one hour for lunch. Chugachmiut maintains a drug/alcohol and tobacco-free work environment. 

Chugachmiut is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law. Chugachmiut has a hiring preference for qualified Alaska Native and American Indian applicants pursuant to P.L. 93-638 Indian Self Determination Act.