The Community Health Representative (CHR) works as a Community Health Team Member in the day-to-day operation of the Community Health Program and provides community health information, instruction and guidance to Thessalon First Nation to educate the community members in safe health practices and to develop healthy lifestyles.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Meets with community leaders, conducting and participating in community meetings and visiting homes to describe, demonstrate and encourage the adoption of safe health and hygiene practices.
2. Assisting the nurse in maternal, well-baby and child care preventive health clinics and home visits.
3. Preparing and/or distributing printed material, showing films, slides and presentations, and giving prepared talks on health and hygiene to school classes and other selected groups.
4. Responsible for initiating programs which promote healthy eating to all ages such as community kitchens, baby food making, organic gardening, canning wild meat, etc.
5. Carrying out a preventative dental program consisting of instruction in fluoride rinses, dental flossing, tooth brushing.
6. To conduct a number of community health workshops/information sessions within the Thessalon First Nation community which supports a healthy lifestyle for all ages.
7. Responsible for developing programs which focus on health promotion and injury/illness prevention and include such programs as maternal and infant health, child health, school health, adolescent health, adult health and elder health.
8. Responsible for initiating programs which promote physical activity for all ages such as an Elder's walking program, children's recreational programs, etc.
9. To act as interpreter, when necessary, between members of the community and the health care delivery team and assist visiting professionals in the conduct of their business within Thessalon
10. Responsible for networking with the Environmental Health Officer in regards to community safety such as dog bites, house mold inspections, West Nile, etc.
11. Responsible, in conjunction with the Community Health Nurse, to ensure the monitoring and reduce the spread of communicable diseases by applying universal precautions at public places.
12. Responsible for initiating community programs which supports social cohesion for community members such as Christmas, Easter, Hallowe'en, Aboriginal Day and Family Day celebrations.

Lay Diabetic Educator Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Conduct screening clinics for pre-diabetes and those at risk for developing diabetes at community events.
2. Hosting diabetic information sessions for diabetics and those at risk of developing diabetes.
   1. Healthy Eating/Physical activities Footcare
   2. Eye care
   3. Co-hosting with the Northshore Tribal council Chronic Care Nurse bi-monthly diabetic sessions
3. Track number of referrals for follow-up screening and make referrals to Community Health Nurse as necessary.

Qualifications:

Education:

1. Post-Secondary diploma or degree or its equivalent within the Health field.

• Native Community Care Counselling and Development (NCCCD) is a must, or willingness and ability to take training.

Experience:

1. Demonstrated ability to be flexible
2. Possess excellent organizational skills and be a self starter.
3. Good communication and interpersonal skills
4. Basic knowledge in the use of computers and various applications
5. Knowledge and/or working experience of Aboriginal culture

Accountability

The Community Health Representative (CHR)/Diabetic Lay Educator will be directly accountable to the Health and Social Services Director and ultimately to the Thessalon First Nation Chief and Council.

Disclaimer

The above job description is not an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, working conditions or skills required for this position. Thessalon First Nation reserves the right to modify job duties or the job description at any time.