Community Health Worker

Job Title: Community Health Worker

Reports To: Population Engagement Coordinator

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Status: Full-time, with some evening and/or weekend hours required.

OVERVIEW:

Community Health Workers (CHWs) are vital members of our healthcare team and through outreach and education, serve as a bridge between the community and Community Access Network (CAN). The services they provide help patients achieve and maintain better healthcare outcomes, improve relationships with providers, and help to identify barriers that are impacting a patient’s health. Community Health Workers receive specific training on their role and responsibilities as part of the healthcare team as they work to obtain certification as a Community Health Worker. They also receive additional on-the-job training to acquire a basic understanding of chronic medical and psychiatric conditions, use of electronic health care records, enroll patients in health insurance, HIPAA training, and other role specific training.

CHWs offer health and wellness and disease prevention and management services to decrease health disparities and improve health outcomes, in coordination with CAN medical providers. The unique expertise they bring is both a personal and system-level understanding of healthcare in Lynchburg, which is vital to assisting patients in accessing healthcare services and improving patient care.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Provide education and strategies to bridge gaps between healthcare providers and patients, to help with decision making and overall continuity of care for patients.

· Conduct extensive in-person outreach in the community to raise awareness of health resources including COVID-19 vaccination.

· Function as the community liaison for local organizations or community-based agencies to improve Covid, flu and other vaccination rates among community members.

· Assess, plan, document and implement individualized care strategies.

· Collaborate with local agencies, Community Access Network, and patients to help overcome barriers to needed health care.

· Engage community members, providing current educational resources for COVID-19 public health information, with a goal of dispelling misinformation, fear and mistrust of vaccination.

· Identify and initiate referrals for community services that assist with food, housing, transportation, clothing, and other identified needs.

· Act as a patient advocate and healthcare navigator for both internal and external services and resources.

· Take vital signs, advise on chronic disease self-management and medication adherence.

· Encourage and schedule follow-up with healthcare providers to manage chronic health conditions, medication adherence and regular physicals and screening.

· Educate patients, healthcare workers and providers on opportunities for improving and understanding the social determinants of health.

· Work to reduce cultural and socioeconomic barriers between patients and institutions.

· Follow up with patients to make sure they received and understood the care they received.

· Promote the use of healthcare and social services within the community.

· Be compliant with Community Access Network policies and procedures.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

· Bachelor’s degree in public health preferred.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

· Current or former users of healthcare and social services in Lynchburg.

· Computer skills to include the use of Microsoft Word and Excel, email, online documentation in our electronic medical record (specific training will be provided) and other computer applications

· Detail oriented

· Ability to explain health information to the public in a clear, concise, and accessible manner

· Has a vested interest in the well-being of their community

· Problem-solving and excellent customer relations ability

· Able to be flexible with changing job duties

· Excellent communication skills

· Ability to develop rapport and engage patients and clients

· Ability to work independently and collaboratively with the health care team

· Comfortable working confidentially with a population with special needs including serious persistent mental illness and/or active substance dependence and/or chronic physical illness

· Knowledge/awareness or self-identified experience with chronic health conditions, including breast cancer, HIV, diabetes, and COVID-19

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REQUIRED VALUES:

· Commitment to the vision of Community Access Network:

· Commitment to the vision of Community Access Network: that everyone has a medical home providing optimal individual and community wellness

· Develop and maintain smooth, cooperative working relationships with others and encourage open expression of ideas and opinions.

· Work at establishing a base of trust and a welcoming spirit with each community member

· Observe confidentiality, privacy, and dignity of each community resident.

· Respond to work tasks in a courteous and timely fashion.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $15.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• healthcare: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $15 - $-1