“When the next generation asks ‘What did you do when the biggest drug epidemic hit this country?’ we want to be able to say – and I think we will be able to say now – that we did something that no one had ever seen before.” -Navdeep S. Kang, PsyD, HSP, CGP
Ohio has ranked first nationwide in opioid deaths since 2014. Mercy Health is committed to lead the charge to change that statistic. Mercy Health and AmeriCorps have partnered to build Mercy Serves, an energetic, volunteer corps serving in Mercy Health Emergency Departments across the state of Ohio to prevent and reduce substance and opioid use. As a part of the broader opioid epidemic response, AmeriCorps members provide patient education, substance use risk screening, emotional support, and referrals to treatment and social services for Emergency Department patients. AmeriCorps members work alongside nurses, providers, and social workers to ensure that patients receive necessary support and resources to make healthy choices and encourage behavior change.
Mercy Serves is recruiting a class of 15 AmeriCorps members to serve a half-time, 11-month service term in 7 Mercy Health emergency departments in Cincinnati and Springfield.
The Mercy Serves AmeriCorps Member will:
- Provide patient education about addiction and substance use to address stigma.
- Deliver screening, early intervention, and referral to treatment for patients at risk of substance use disorder utilizing the SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment) model.
- Provide linkages to healthcare and social service resources.
- Follow up with patients to continue providing support and treatment access after discharge.
- Collect data from patient encounters; maintain appropriate, accurate databases necessary for reporting and compliance activities; and provide pertinent reporting as needed.
- Participate in mandatory Mercy Serves team meetings and learning opportunities.
- Participate in mandatory AmeriCorps meetings and conferences to share member experience and program successes.
- Maintain comprehensive and accurate documentation of AmeriCorps service experience including number of hours served, trainings received, etc.
- Maintain internal and external contacts, including community-based organizations, to support patient needs.
- Represent the service-oriented aspects of the Mercy Health ministry, Community Health team, and Mercy Serves AmeriCorps program.
- Other duties as assigned, including specialized projects based on site needs and community outreach activities.
As an AmeriCorps program, this is a TEMPORARY, 11-month service position. Compensation is paid in the form of a bi-weekly living stipend and professional development training/opportunities. Member is eligible to receive education award upon completion of all service requirements.
Required Minimum Education: High School Diploma/GED
Preferred Education: College level classes in a relevant field (Public Health, Psychology, Sociology, Pre-Med, or similar)
Minimum Types Of Experience
- Measurable achievement in an academic, volunteer, extracurricular, or professional setting.
- Proven interpersonal skills working in sensitive situations.
- Adaptability in a challenging environment.
- Demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
- Strong analytical, professionalism, critical thinking, and stress management skills.
- Experience with data collection and database management.
- Ability to maintain patient confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.
- Experience working in team environments and on collaborative projects.
- Interest in careers in healthcare, population and community health, addiction and mental health services, and/or social justice.
Members will be placed at the following locations:
- Mercy Health West Hospital (Cincinnati, OH)
- Mercy Health Clermont Hospital (Batavia, OH)
- Mercy Health Anderson Hospital (Anderson/Cincinnati, OH)
- Mercy Health Fairfield Hospital (Fairfield, OH)
- Mercy Health Kings Mills Hospital (Mason, OH)
- Mercy Health Jewish Hospital (Kenwood, OH)
- Springfield Medical Center (Springfield, OH)
*Service schedule will be based on varying needs at each site.*
To apply, visit https://careers.mercy.com/, keyword "AmeriCorps".
