Health Care For All (HCFA) is a state-based consumer health advocacy organization founded in 1985. HCFA’s mission is to advocate for health justice in Massachusetts by working to promote health equity and ensure coverage and access for all. The organization is recognized as a national leader in its work. 

HCFA uses three strategies to conduct its work: direct service, community engagement, and policy and advocacy campaigns. HCFA helps tens of thousands of individuals and families in five languages enroll in and renew their health insurance coverage each year and troubleshoot health coverage issues through a unique, multi-lingual consumer assistance HelpLine. HCFA staff are also in the community working with a diverse group of local community- and faith-based organizations conducting outreach work, education efforts and supporting individuals to share their stories and play a role in policy change. HCFA uses the insights from HelpLine callers and community residents to shape the organization’s advocacy agenda. HCFA policy work is conducted through a health equity lens and seeks to expand health care access to everyone in the state and bring down health care costs in Massachusetts through its leadership of and participation in numerous policy advocacy coalitions. These coalitions bring together a wide variety of organizations to work collaboratively to make meaningful health policy changes. By uniting diverse constituencies, HCFA is able to magnify its policy reach on many fronts.   

The organization’s achievements include leading Massachusetts health reform efforts, including legislation in 2006 that was the blueprint for the Affordable Care Act. Today, HCFA is leading the campaigns and coalitions necessary to improve health care access and affordability, as well as address the many inequities in our current health care system. 

For more information, please visit www.hcfama.org. 

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Health Ambassadors will be essential members of HCFA’s Health Ambassadors Program for Older Adults. The program’s goal is to empower older adults from under-resourced communities in Massachusetts by addressing the intersectionality of race, ethnicity and language barriers while connecting them to resources that influence their health and well- being. The Ambassadors will serve as “connectors” for older adults in a wide variety of areas that impact their health and social determinants of health, meeting the older adults where they are and helping them get what they need. The Health Ambassadors will offer culturally-appropriate education and assistance in addressing social influencers of physical and mental health.  

Note: This is a part-time position working approximately 8-10 hours per week. Ideal working hours will be evenings and weekends.

SUPERVISION   

The Health Ambassadors will report to the Director of Community Engagement. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Serve as a trusted resource to older adults from under-resourced communities in Massachusetts by connecting them to resources and programs that influence their health and well- being.  

• Examples of resources include but are not limited to: food pantries, SNAP benefits, MyPlate guidance, mental health services, the Medicare Savings Program, housing resources, transportation options, free- or low-cost exercise classes, Medicare/Medicaid, HCFA’s HelpLine, My Ombudsman and MyServices. 

• Visit senior centers, Councils on Aging, faith-based organizations, health fairs and other community events to distribute information relevant to the health and well-being of older adults.  

• Promote senior centers and the resources they offer to decrease social isolation and access supportive services. 

• Build partnerships with strategic community partners such as Councils on Aging, senior centers, community organizations and faith-based groups on behalf of HCFA. 

• Collect impact stories from older adults, highlighting their experiences and needs, as well as share the insights with the HCFA team. 

• Collect the necessary data to ensure HCFA staff can report on program goals and evaluations. 

QUALIFICATIONS 

• 3+ years of experience working closely with the program’s target communities (underserved and older adults who identify as Black/African-American and/or immigrant communities)  

• Knowledge of resources or health care benefits such as SNAP, Medicare/Medicaid, mental health services, public health insurance plans, My Ombudsman, or the HCFA HelpLine, to name a few examples.  

• Bilingual language capability in Spanish, Portuguese, and/or Haitian Creole desired.  

• Familiarity with issues involving older adults who identify as Black/African-American or from an immigrant community. 

• Community Health Workers Certification strongly desired, but not required. 

• Ability to travel to target communities around the Boston Metro area.  

• Availability to work on evenings and weekends. 

• Proven ability to listen to and work in partnership with diverse audiences and stakeholders.  

• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively with people individually and in groups; experience establishing and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 

• Deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. 

• Commitment to HCFA’s mission and goals. 

COMPENSATION 

• $25.00 per hour 

Health Care for All is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status or any other legally protected status. We celebrate diversity and are committed to building an inclusive work environment where all team members are encouraged to be their authentic and whole selves.