Health Equity Specialist (Full Time, Hybrid, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina)

The Health Equity Specialist supports Alliance Health’s efforts to identify, reduce, and eliminate health disparities by advancing equitable access to high-quality, whole-person care for members and underserved communities. This role uses data analysis, community engagement, member outreach, quality improvement methods, training support, accreditation readiness, and cross-functional collaboration to embed health equity into programs, operations, reporting, and performance improvement initiatives.

The Health Equity Specialist role may include some evenings and weekends.

This is a full-time hybrid opportunity. There is no expectation of coming into the office routinely, however, the selected candidate must be available to report onsite to the Alliance Office (Charlotte, North Carolina) for business meetings as needed. The successful candidate will also be required to travel as needded throughout Mecklenburg and surrounding counties (including ones outside of Alliance’s catchment area) to meet with members, providers and/or other community stakeholders.

Responsibilities & Duties

Community Engagement and Member Outreach

• Schedule and perform community outreach, engagement, and health education initiatives in the form of educational sessions and other health-related events to target individuals, community partners, neighborhood groups, faith-based, youth-serving, educational, advocacy groups, corporate and non-profit organizations
• Conduct community-based research regarding health equity, population health, social determinants of health, housing, access to health care, transportation, economic, and communication issues resulting in health disparities or inequities
• Support member outreach strategies that improve preventive care, chronic disease management, maternal and child health outcomes, behavioral health access, and other priority quality measures

Health Equity Strategy and Program Development

• Support member outreach strategies that improve preventive care, chronic disease management, maternal and child health outcomes, behavioral health access, and other priority quality measures
• Maintain awareness of emerging health equity standards, Medicaid managed care requirements, accreditation expectations, and best practices in disparity reduction
• Advance the strategic planning activities to create an environment that advances racial and health equity across Alliance Health, the community, region and beyond
• Assist with ensuring the timely completion and submission of all required state and[KH1.1][SF1.2] regulatory deliverables, including but not limited to the development, implementation, and compliance with all required processes, systems, tracking and trending, policies and procedures, manuals, handbooks, and other requirements
• Attend staff, state, workgroup and community meetings representing Alliance Health relating to health equity, as well as being an engagement member of the health equity workgroup

Training Assessment and Accreditation

• Assess community needs centered around equity, health inequities, and the disparities that exist due to social economic issues
• Coordinate projects and initiatives for the Health Equity Department, including implementation, assessment, intervention, strategy, and evaluation, for the health equity roadmap
• Social drivers of health data to identify disparities and recommend targeted interventions
• Assist with training and technical assistance for staff and provider partners on health equity, cultural humility, bias awareness, language access, disability inclusion, and equitable care delivery
• Assist with health equity accreditation, regulatory, contract, and reporting requirements, including documentation of disparity reduction activities, interventions, outcomes, and continuous improvement plans

Program Management

• Help to inform Alliance policy development regarding equity including health, ethnicity[KH2.1], and other disparities and inequities
• Represent the Health Equity Department in various capacities as the department representative, participates in staff and department meetings, as well as group functions to include preparing and making public presentations, facilitating conversations, and providing education about related health equity matters
• Collaboratively develop and implement appropriate quality management model(s), member communication strategies, engagement and outreach efforts, internal and external reporting, program evaluation, and other projects as needed

Data Analysis and Performance Improvement

• Monitors data trends about pertinent health equity needs, concerns, and creates action plans to address social drivers of health data to identify disparities and recommend targeted interventions
• Develop an internal and external volunteer advocacy database for the department that includes key stakeholders and community partners
• Assist with the development of metrics for measuring the effectiveness of organizational health equity initiatives
• Translate and communicate data-driven insights into simple terms, appropriate for the intended audience
• Monitor progress on health equity goals, identify barriers to implementation, and recommend corrective actions based on data and stakeholder feedback.
• Support initiatives that improve HEDIS measure performance and promote better health outcomes by identifying care gaps, monitoring disparities, and coordinating targeted interventions
• Develop and maintain reports, health equity webpage, presentations, and briefing materials for internal leaders, committees, providers, and external stakeholders

Health Education & Promotion

• Contribute to the Health Equity Workgroup by coordinating and assisting with events, programs, and projects as an active and engaged member
• Serve as an advocate internally and in the community to ensure that the diverse needs of marginalized communities are a priority
• Generate, develop, and facilitate health equity training, workshops, and outreach efforts to provide content for marketing, community stakeholders, partners, education events, provide diversity-sensitivity and cultural competence, awareness, publications, and communications
• Well-versed in public health, health equity to be an ambassador for public health
• Ability to work independently and a part of a team with a flexible schedule, including some nights and weekends
• Outreach, research, and community engagement experience is beneficial
• Perform all other related duties involved in the operation of Alliance Health as assigned or required

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with teams across Alliance to integrate health equity goals into organizational workflows and performance improvement projects
• Serve as a contributing member of assigned workgroups and committees, including the Health Equity Workgroup, by participating in meetings, sharing data-informed insights, supporting action items, and helping advance group priorities

Travel

• Travel between Alliance offices, attending meetings on behalf of Alliance, participating in Alliance sponsored events, etc. may be required
• Travel to meet with members, providers, stakeholders, etc. is required

Minimum Requirements

Education & Experience

Required:

Bachelor’s from an accredited college or university in public health, education, social sciences, or related field and two (2) years of experience working in a public health, education, or social science role including one (1) full-time year of work experience in community outreach, community health planning, research, or event planning.

Preferred:

Certification in Public Health, CHES, MCHES preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of social drivers of health, health disparities, culturally and linguistically appropriate services, health literacy, and community-centered approaches to care.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, presentations, meeting materials, and stakeholder communications.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, providers, community organizations, and members from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated passion for serving the community and improving access, quality, and outcomes for members from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and deliverables.
• Knowledge of public health offerings and an ambassador or all things health equity.
• Proficiency in organizational, time management, project management, and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge and skills with use of computers and software programs, including MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Interpersonal and oral/written communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and to meet objectives and deadlines, attention to detail.
• Ability to maintain confidential communication and to use sound business judgment and discretion.
• Data Analytics to Informatics
• Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of management, community or other key stakeholders and outside parties.

Salary Range

$61,439 - $79,871/ Annual

Exact compensation will be determined based on the candidate's education, experience, external market data and consideration of internal equity

An excellent fringe benefit package accompanies the salary, which includes:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Long Term Disability
• Generous retirement savings plan
• Flexible work schedules including hybrid/remote options
• Paid time off including vacation, sick leave, holiday, management leave
• Dress flexibility

Employment for this position is contingent upon a satisfactory background and MVR (Motor Vehicle Registration) check, which will be performed after acceptance of an offer of employment and prior to the employee's start date.