The New Jersey Refugee Health Literacy Initiative strives to empower refugees in Union County, NJ, to navigate the complex healthcare system and become fully enabled to take care of their healthcare needs. Refugees are enrolled in a series of health workshops, during which they learn how to complete medical forms, make doctor's appointments, select health care providers and understand their overall rights as patients. Other components of the program focus on nutrition, communicable diseases and hygiene. Participants with extreme medical cases receive personalized attention to ensure their case is being treated adequately and with the necessary follow-up.
The NJ Refugee Health Literacy Initiative is currently seeking volunteer and/or interns to fill the following positions at the IRC office in Elizabeth, NJ:
Health Literacy Assistant
Essential responsibilities:
• Assist in the recruitment of clients
• Teaching Classes
• Acquiring donations to give away to students throughout the workshop series
• Assist in making follow up phone calls to clients who have not attended classes
• Arrange health literacy volunteers to teach/tutor clients at home upon request
• Assist in outreach to medical centers and establish contacts/partnerships in the area
• Create information packets for refugee-serving providers
Home Health Educator
Essential responsibilities:
• Assist in recruitment of clients
• Teach Classes
- Prepare instruction material with co-educator, using an established curriculum
- Create additional lesson plan if needed
• Teach health literacy workshops (each workshop consists of 2 hours)
• Schedule make-up classes
• Conduct evaluations for each class and track progress together with the Health Educator
• Attend 2 hour meeting with lead Health Educator on a weekly basis to discuss both methodologies of instruction as well as the following week’s topic.
Assistant Health Educator
Essential responsibilities:
• Assist in recruitment of clients
• Teach Classes
• Teach health literacy workshops ( Each workshop consists of 2 hours)
• Seek donations for class materials
• Schedule make-up classes
• Conduct evaluations for each class and track progress together with Health Educator
• Attend 2 hour meeting with lead Health Educator on a weekly basis to discuss both methodologies of instruction as well as the following week’s topic.
Qualifications for all of the above positions include:
• Currently pursuing or having recently completed a degree in public health r related field
• Reliable, flexible, and able to work independently and under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• An interest in international and refugee issues
• Creativity and initiative to follow through on projects
• Strong desire to help people and enthusiasm for working in a multi-cultural setting
• Energetic, empathetic, and ready to do a variety of jobs
• Willing to adhere to IRC volunteer and workplace policies
• Excellent strategic thinking, planning, and organizational skill
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of program design and/or experience in social services delivery
• Fluent English required. Fluency in Spanish, Burmese, and Arabic preferred.
To apply for the above listed position please complete IRC's Volunteer Application Form (click here) and email it together with a copy of your resume to: Roselyn Rosal at roselyn.rosal@rescue.org
