Community Health Worker- Community Diabetes Initiative

Description

The Community Diabetes Initiative is a collaboration with HealthCare Access Maryland (HCAM) and the Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and to address the racial disparity of severity and prevalence of the disease for Baltimore City residents. The Community Diabetes Initiative is funded by a 5-year grant supported by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
 
The Community Health Worker will outreach, screen, and enroll residents into resources including diabetes education, food, housing transportation and other benefits associated with diabetes prevention and management. The CHWs will plan and attend neighborhood outreach events, collaborate with community organizations to provide educational materials, and make referrals to Diabetes Prevention programs. 

The Community Health Worker will serve as a bridge for Baltimore City residents, medical providers, and Diabetes Prevention Programs to increase awareness and knowledge, and to address Social Determinants of Health with a goal of providing early intervention or prevention of type 2 diabetes. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The primary responsibilities of this position are:

    Perform client outreach, inclusive of neighborhood canvassing, home visits, and community events.
    Conduct social determinant of health screenings and health risk assessments.
    Refer and enroll Baltimore residents into Diabetes Prevention Programs, Social Needs resources.
    Provide diabetes education, disseminate educational materials, and increase awareness of diabetes prevention.
    Enroll uninsured clients into available health insurance programs; assist them in choosing a Managed Care Organization and identifying a primary medical provider.
    Provide education and system navigation of the Maryland Medicaid insurance benefit package.

    Document assessment, contacts, and services in electronic medical record 
    Attend and participate in partner meetings with community agencies/organizations. 
    Effectively use motivational interviewing techniques to engage and coordinate care/services to clients.
    Provide client centered services in a trauma informed approach.
    Connect with clients on a weekly basis for up to two months to provide ongoing assistance accessing services and coordinating care. 
    Consistently achieve productivity goal and performance measures established for the Community Health Worker 
 

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:
Education, Experience, Certifications and Licensures:
        REQUIRED EDUCATION:    
o    Minimum high school education or GED required- Bachelor’s degree preferred in Human/Social Services
o     1 Year experience working in a Community Health Worker (CHW) role and/or direct experience providing outreach and client services in Baltimore City in the areas of Medicaid System Navigation, Social Needs Assessments and Care Coordination
o    Community Health Worker Certification preferred but not required 
        

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

    Strong computer literacy skills, specifically with MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint (365).
    Meticulous to complete requirements of files and contract compliance.
    Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of population served. 
    Excellent oral and written interpersonal and communication skills required.
    Proven ability to work efficiently and meet deadlines.
    Ability to be flexible and creative.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and respond to customers and employees. The employee frequently is required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to walk and sit. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

SAFETY & HEALTH RESPONSIBILITIES

HCAM is committed to providing and maintaining a safe, secure, and healthy work environment for all employees, clients served, volunteers and visitors. As part of this commitment, HCAM has developed safety, security and occupational health policies, practices, and standards. 

With this understanding, all employees are required to: Adhere to all local, state and federal safety and environmental codes, ordinances, standards and laws; adhere to all HCAM and local safety plans, policies, practices and standards; be aware of and follow all safety rules of your work site; report any unsafe conditions or accidents to your supervisor; practice standard precautions (formerly universal precautions) at all times, and; participate in mandatory or available safety training.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to both indoor and outdoor conditions. The employee will be subject to noise.