MPHI is a Michigan-based and nationally engaged, non-profit public health institute. We are a team of teams, process and content experts, dedicated to building A world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

Title: Public Health Improvement Specialist

$53,000 - $70,000 / Posted Thru: 5-24-24

Location: Remote/Virtual

Purpose: The Public Health Improvement Specialist provides expertise, consultation, coaching and technical support for public health improvement projects within the Center for Healthy Communities (CHC). The Public Health Improvement Specialist provides tailored support across the lifespan of projects, from development to implementation and reporting, including internal support within project teams and communication and support to external partners and stakeholders.

This position will involve a high level of interaction with a variety of partners and stakeholders and requires a deep understanding of quality improvement and systems improvement frameworks within a public health and maternal/child health context. The Public Health Improvement Specialist will foster collaborative relationships and will be involved in facilitating group processes, supporting quality improvement efforts through training and one-on-one and group coaching, providing other types of technical assistance to partners, and supporting system-level health improvement initiatives, including public health research, evaluation, and performance monitoring. This position will focus on projects related to quality planning/quality improvement and/or maternal/child health.

Planning and Implementation of Project Activities

• Independently provide specialized support to public health improvement projects, many with a maternal/child health focus.
• Support teams/groups within public health agencies through training and direct one-on-one coaching on quality planning and quality improvement. This includes joining meetings, email threads, and phone calls with external project partners/teams to provide guidance and methodological support that is responsive to their short- and long-term goals.
• Design trainings, activities, and resources for the implementation of quality planning/improvement initiatives.
• Apply equity-focused assessment, planning, facilitation, quality planning/improvement, and other frameworks within community-based settings from start-up to closeout, including project design, implementation, ongoing reporting, final reporting, and dissemination.
• Translate standards and frameworks into easy to understand, actionable presentations and tools to facilitate implementation for public health agencies.
• Support clients and partners in designing engagement strategies that are inclusive and meaningful.
• Design and implement data collection activities that support assessment, planning, and improvement efforts and center equity. This includes accessing existing public health data, as well as designing and conducting interviews, focus groups, surveys, photovoice projects, and other direct data collection methods.
• Organize data and other sources of information to support making meaning, centering equity, identifying needs and assets, assessing opportunities for improvement, and identifying priorities.
• Facilitate the development of action plans that are collaborative in nature and focus on achieving equity.
• Independently prepare and review project-related documents, trainings, reports, and other written materials as needed.
• Support all projects in a dynamic, responsive manner.

Supporting Community Partners

• Lead the development, design, and creation of processes and products that support our community partners in implementing community-engaged public health improvement activities.
• Tailor processes based on the community context and needs of partners.
• Independently plan and lead meetings, presentations, trainings, and facilitation activities, as appropriate.
• Provide project collaborators and community partners personalized training and technical assistance in public health improvement methods.
• Exercise professionalism, skill, and comfort in interfacing with community partners, clients, and potential clients/partners.

Continuous Learning

• Remain current on emerging best and promising practices in public health improvement.

Project Development

• Remain current on literature in areas that are relevant to the Center (CHC), public health systems and partners, and current projects and supports project development as needed.

MPHI Responsibilities

• Maintain MPHI-required internal training requirements.
• Participate in company strategic planning and marketing initiatives to represent the Center as needed.
• Maintain a positive, strong, credible, professional, and interpersonal relationship with all parties relevant to CHC projects and represent the best interests of MPHI at all times.
• Understand and uphold MPHI's Core Values of Servant Leadership, Health Equity and Social Justice, Authentic Relationships, and Quality and Excellence.
• Perform other duties as required.

Education: Required education/experience for this position can be met in a variety of ways, including but not limited to: Master's degree in relevant field with at least 3 years of relevant experience supporting public health improvement efforts; bachelor's degree in a relevant field with 5 or more years of direct experience in public health improvement efforts.

Experience: Minimum of 3 years of experience independently supporting public health improvement efforts, including methodological design, data collection and analysis, complex group and process facilitation, technical assistance, report writing, and dissemination. Experience training, coaching, or providing technical assistance to other professionals required. Experience in quality planning and/or quality improvement methods strongly preferred. Experience in maternal/child health-related systems preferred.

Important Skills and Characteristics:

• Understanding of quality improvement fundamentals, including the Plan-Do-Study-Act model of improvement and some quality improvement tools (i.e. SMART(IE) goal, process map, fishbone diagram, affinity diagram, etc.).
• Skill in teaching and coaching others in improvement methodologies.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills including the ability to manage multiple tasks and respond to overlapping deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills with comfort leading large groups through complicated processes.
• Ability to work independently, analyze project needs, and monitor progress toward completion of tasks.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and written and oral communications skills.
• Positive attitude and professional demeanor.
• Growth mindset approach with interest in learning and mastering new information and skills.
• Interest and practice working on highly collaborative projects.
• Flexibility and adaptability to a fast-paced work environment.
• Advanced computer skills including experience and expertise in the use of Microsoft Office Suite platform (notably Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams) and cloud-based meeting and group engagement programs (Zoom, Miro, Mentimeter, etc.).

Work Environment and Physical Requirements: This position involves working on a computer 75-100% of the time. In-state and out-of-state travel may be required, based on project and Center needs.

"For purposes of employment standards, this classification is "Exempt" from overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act."

MPHI works with you to promote health for everyone. Together, we will build a world where tomorrow is healthier than today!

MPHI is an EEO/AA employer that participates with e-verify.