POSITION SUMMARY:  The Community Health Educator plays a vital role in promoting community wellness by planning, coordinating, and facilitating diverse health education and chronic disease prevention programs. Operating out of the DeMatteis Center and representing St. Francis Hospital (SFH), this individual acts as a primary facilitator for essential support groups and educational workshops. The role focuses on managing chronic conditions, preventing disease, and ensuring compliance with healthcare accreditation standards through active involvement in nursing governance and hospital committees.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES           

• Create and conduct educational programming centered on nutrition, hygiene, smoking cessation, and the prevention of chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.
• Plan, organize, and execute community health fairs offering vital screenings, including blood pressure and cholesterol checks.
• Implement community initiatives focused on managing existing chronic conditions and mitigating the spread of infectious diseases.
• Gather public health data using targeted surveys and community interviews to identify regional health gaps and advocate for public policies that improve overall community wellness.
• Facilitate stroke support and caregiver sessions on a monthly basis. Manage all scheduling, email reminders, and Zoom logistics. Coordinate guest speakers and serve as an active member of the SFH Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) Stroke Accreditation Committee.
• Deliver annual Tobacco Competency updates to Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation staff members.
• Screen and register candidates for a 7-week group smoking cessation curriculum. Organize course materials, lead classes, and connect individuals to external resources like the New York State Smokers' Quitline.
• Teach a 7-week Stepping On Falls Prevention curriculum twice a year during the Spring and Fall cycles. Screen and register participants, manage a high volume of class handouts, and recruit/schedule multidisciplinary guest experts (PT, OT, Pharmacists).
• Lead Diabetes Prevention program groups alongside a Diabetes Educator.
• Serve as the primary organizer for an annual Women's Heart Symposium. Oversee guest speaker recruitment, presentation slide deck reviews/edits, registration, room decoration, seating arrangements, and catering.
• Assist with promotional outreach for the Women's Wellness Tea Party, prep scheduled speakers, and review presentation materials.
• Partner collaboratively with the Pharmacy Department every March to organize and execute patient safety activities.
• Represent SFH at local senior centers, community organizations, and public libraries while promoting SFH community education programs.  
• Actively participate as a member of the DeMatteis Center Nursing Shared Governance Council, attending monthly meetings.
• Other duties as required
• Adheres to all organizational policies and procedures

POSITION REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS                                                                      

Education:   

• Must be certified by or obtain a certification from the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES/AADE) as a Lifestyle Coach within 6 months of hire.
• Must hold an active or obtain a certification from American Lung Association (ALA) or American Heart Association (AHA) Smoking Cessation Facilitator Certification within 6 months of hire.  
• Must hold an active leader certification or obtain a certification from the Wisconsin Institute for Healthy Aging (WIHA) / Wisconsin Institute for Health Behavior within 6 months of hire.   

Licensure/Certification: NY RN License required

Skills:          

• Excellent oral and written communication skills required
• Proven experience tracking registration, managing extensive course hand-outs, coordinating speaker schedules, and utilizing virtual meeting platforms (e.g., Zoom).
• Comfort working alongside independent contractors, clinical specialists (Diabetes Educators, Pharmacists), and hospital administration committees.

Experience:           

• 1+ years of experience preferred

This range serves as a good faith estimate and actual pay will encompass a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience. The salary range or rate listed does not include any bonuses/incentive, or other forms of compensation that may be applicable to this job and it does not include the value of benefits.

At Catholic Health, we believe in a people-first approach. In addition to the estimated base pay provided, Catholic Health offers generous benefits packages, generous tuition assistance, a defined benefit pension plan, and a culture that supports professional and educational growth.