Community Health Worker

Job Description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY :

A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a public health outreach professional with an in-depth understanding of the experience, language, culture, and socioeconomic needs of the community.

CHW provides a range of services, including, but not limited to, outreach, engagement, education, coaching, informal counseling, social support, advocacy, care coordination, research related to social determinants of health, and basic screenings and assessments of any risks associated with social determinants of health.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Completes a full assessment of individual’s needs including social determinants of health, person-centered recovery action plans oriented to the client’s cultural background including gender identity / sexual orientation.
• Provides behavioral health resources and interventions when needed.
• Works with primary care providers and other CHWs to facilitate referrals to the behavioral health department, works with individuals and families to increase compliance with attending intakes, and appointments, and assists in decreasing barriers to participation.
• Documents all client encounters and care coordination efforts made on behalf of clients; maintain comprehensive electronic client files in a consistent and timely fashion.
• Works with Alliance’s team to provide accurate data collection for program reports.
• Coaches and facilitates communications with clients in effective management of self-care. Motivates clients to be active and engaged participants in their health and overall well-being.
• CHW will be held accountable and assessed by targeted measures from the CHW Grant.
• Facilitates client access to community resources, including housing, food, and clothing assistance, transportation, parenting, providers to teach life skills, vocational, and educational resources, and relevant mental health services.

Assists clients in utilizing community services, facilitating appointments with community services agencies as well as with completion of applications for programs for which they may be eligible.

Establishes positive, supportive relationships with participants and provides feedback to other members of the team. Builds and maintains positive working relationships with clients, providers, agency representatives, supervisors, and office staff.

Works to reduce cultural and socio-economic barriers between clients and agencies.

• Travels as needed to community locations, various agencies, and other outreach destinations.
• Attend meetings as scheduled or as requested.
• Participate in supervision with the supervisor as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

ADDITIONAL GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

Professional, positive attitude, understanding of customer service principles, intuitiveness, trustworthiness, and excellent interpersonal skills to successfully accomplish tasks necessary to meet high standards of ethical and social responsibility required by this position.

Knowledge of some medical terminology is preferred. Ability to understand the needs of the community to be served. Must have knowledge of the various services available in the community.

Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement, and patient empowerment.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION : High School Diploma required. Bachelor’s degree in social services preferred.

Successful completion of a Community Health Worker formal training program such as from a college or other educational institution is preferred.

EXPERIENCE : Previous experience in working with community-based programs that help to identify and address Social Determinants of Health.

Preferred : Applicant has a well-developed understanding and experience working with an ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse population.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS : Excellent interpersonal skills required including, but not limited to appropriate email etiquette, active listening, and thorough revision of all written assignments.

LICENSURE / CERTIFICATION : Certification of Community Health Worker preferred.

STANDARD REQUIREMENTS

• Supports an ethical standard, which complies with a code of conduct free of conflicts of interest.
• Supports the Mission and Values of Alliance for Community Empowerment, Inc.
• Confidentiality of all data, including applicants, employees, and operations data.
• Quality Assurance and compliance with all regulatory requirements.
• Compliance with current law and policy to provide a work environment free from sexual harassment and all illegal and discriminatory behavior.
• Supports and participates in common teamwork :
• Cooperates and works together with all co-workers; plans and completes job duties with minimal supervisory direction, including appropriate judgment.
• Uses tactful, appropriate communication in sensitive and emotional situations.
• Follow up as appropriate with supervisor and co-workers regarding reported complaints, problems, and concerns.
• Promotes positive public relations with patients, family members, and guests.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Performing the duties of this job requires sitting or standing for long periods of time. Occasional bending, stretching, or lifting.

May require contact with individuals with communicable diseases. Ability to hear a normal range of voice. Ability to prepare written reports and use telephone equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Must be cognizant of the reality of communicable diseases in the environment.

As a representative of Optimus Health Care, the incumbent must conduct himself / herself at all times in a professional, positive, respectful, and supportive manner.