The specific client-facing role that has been identified in the context
of the Portland Refugee Support Group (PRSG) is Community Health
Worker (Who we are, 2021). By playing the role, human services
professionals within the organization are able to assess the health
needs of refugees in the community setting and offer proper health
and medical services that are aligned with their health needs. An in-
depth insight has been presented into the role and responsibilities in
the PRSG agency setting.
Role – Community Health Worker
Responsibilities – The chief responsibilities that are carried out by
the Community Health Worker within the Portland Refugee Support
Group are as follows:
• Facilitation of communication and engagement between
refugees in the community and healthcare organizations.
• Ensure the facilitation of healthcare access among the
vulnerable refugee groups in the community so that their health
outcomes can be positively impacted.
• The human service professional is also responsible for
advocating and educate the vulnerable group about healthy
practices and behavior so that the health outcome and quality
of life can be enhanced.
• The Community Health Worker serves as the frontline public
health worker who builds effective and long-lasting
relationships with the community members by focusing on trust
and respect.
• Establish strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholders in the
community setting in order to support and strengthen the
community outreach and referrals.
• Empower individual refugees in the community setting so that
they can effectively manage their own health and well-being. b
The Community Health Worker plays an instrumental role in the
context of PRSG to minimize the vulnerability of vulnerable
individuals in the society. They work along with the refugees and
focus on their health needs so that their life can be rebuilt. These
human service professionals have a close understanding of the
community that they serve. They use their position to not only
identify the health needs of the vulnerable refugees but also create
trust-based relationships with them. They furthermore create an
opportunity for the refugees to form connections with other
members of the community so that they can form valuable
relationships and associations with others in the society.
The professionals adopt a comprehensive approach while engaging
with refugees in the community setting. They not only focus on the
health needs of the individuals and families but also on their social
needs so that their core needs can be optimally met, which can
improve their life while living as refugees in Portland. The
professionals use their position and knowledge to educate refugees
about the importance of health and available healthcare services so
that a well-defined path can be navigated for the clients, which can
enable them to lead a successful life in the U.S. (Who we are, 2021).
The Community Health Workers working in the Portland Refugee
Support Group take a number of steps that contribute to the larger
helping process for refugees. For example, the human service
professionals focus on community collaboration so that the health
and social needs of the refugees and their families can be met.
Emphasis is laid on trust so that a sincere and honest relationship can
be established between the professionals and the clients, and
refugees can get the opportunity to reside in a community where
they have a sense of belongingness. The professionals carry out their
functions in a compassionate and empathetic manner by promoting
diversity and inclusion. Every refugee in the community is treated
with respect and dignity, regardless of their diverse attributes. The
Community Health Worker adopt a multidisciplinary approach and
acts as a vital part of the support group, which helps in creating a
safe, nurturing and comfortable environment for refugees where
their fundamental health and social needs are fulfilled in an effective
manner.
References
Who we are. (2021). Retrieved November 25, 2022, from
https://www.pdxrsg.org/who-we-are.html
