“When the next generation asks ‘What did you do when the biggest drug epidemic hit this country?’ we want to be able 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 death since 2014. Mercy Health is committed to lead the charge to change that statistic. Mercy Health and AmeriCorps have partnered to build Mercy Serves, a diverse, 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 11 AmeriCorps members to serve a full-time, 11-month service term in 5 Mercy Health emergency departments in Cincinnati and Toledo.
As an AmeriCorps program, this is a TEMPORARY, 11-month service position. Compensation is paid in the form of a bi-weekly living stipend, health benefits, and professional development training/opportunities. Member is eligible to receive education award upon completion of all service requirements.
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 St. Charles Hospital (Toledo, OH)
*Service schedule will be based on varying needs at each site.*
Service Activities
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, including biannual retreats, that contribute to personal development as well as growth of the Mercy Serves program.
• 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 diverse 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
Community Need Addressed
Ohio has ranked first nationwide in opioid death since 2014. Mercy Health and AmeriCorps have partnered to build Mercy Serves, a diverse, energetic, volunteer corps serving in Mercy Health Emergency Departments across the state of Ohio to prevent and reduce substance and opioid use.
Position Outcomes
Prevention and reduction of substance use
Reduction of stigma toward substance use
Professional and leadership development of AmeriCorps members
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Education Benefits
CPR - Basic Life Support
Skills you will gain
Motivational interviewing, patient advocacy, health communication
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment