HeartCorps

Posted: December 20, 2022

    The HeartCorps program has been developed to address health disparities within rural communities. Placements with HeartCorps are full-time and in-person through September 2023. This is an ideal opportunity for someone already living in the community who may be in their gap year between college and graduate school, someone considering a career in public health or medicine, or a retiree looking to supplement their income and serve their community. We are targeting a January 23rd start date and are starting with placements in rural communities within 26 states, including New Hampton.  This position would be located out of MercyOne New Hampton.  Below are some highlights regarding the program.  A link to the site for additional detail is: HeartCorps website.

    • What is the population that you serve and do your AmeriCorps service members work directly with people in the community?
      HeartCorps service members will serve in rural communities in 26 states. HeartCorps is focused on improving health equity in rural communities. Members will work to improve cardiovascular health including blood pressure control and contributing factors such as nutrition security and tobacco use. To address the disproportionate rates of uncontrolled hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases in rural communities, HeartCorps members will be responsible for facilitating the adoption and implementation of sustainable systems changes and support strategies necessary to achieve blood pressure (BP) control.
    • What is a typical day like in terms of the activities and tasks that AmeriCorps members will do?
      Service member experiences will vary slightly based on the needs of the host sites, and each member will work in tandem with site supervisors to develop service plans. Example activities may include BP self-monitoring initiatives, increasing adoption of evidence-based BP measurement and treatment practices, facilitating BP screenings, connecting health centers with social platforms to facilitate ongoing screening and referral for social needs, establishing local support for patients/community members in navigating the care or resources they need, and launching learning collaboratives. Service members will also lead local collaborations beyond their host site intended to increase awareness of public health needs and further grow the public health workforce. Members may plan and implement local engagement events – such as days of service, town halls or community conversations – and will engage local high schools and colleges in building ambassador clubs to further support health promotion work and seed interest in healthcare and public health professions.
    • How many AmeriCorps members serve together at a site?
      The number of service members at each site will vary based on community needs, but it is our goal to place members in minimum team sizes of two.
    • Do you provide relocation and housing for AmeriCorps members?
      Our program does not offer relocation assistance or housing for members. However, we are committed to providing a living stipend comparable to a living wage within the community members will serve. The member stipend will be $1,062.50 bi-weekly and they will also be eligible for an education award.
    Join HeartCorps!