Community Health Worker

Description

Position Summary:

A Community Health Worker helps people who live in their community lead happier, healthier lives by providing advice and education. Some duties typically found in a Community Health Worker job description include conducting home visits to meet with patients of a health system and referring people in need of care to area providers. Under direct supervision, this individual works closely with medical providers, primary care teams and social services agencies to help community members with care coordination and connection to resources and support to program clients to improve their health and general well-being through education and provision of coordination of care and services. Serving as a bridge between the community and the health care, government and social services systems, they would also build individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy.

Requirements

Education/Experience:

Minimum high school diploma or equivalent.   

Required Credentials (Licensure, Certification, or Registration):

Employer paid CHW certification (must have within 1 year of hire). Must have valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Employment Variables:

Normal working hours are eight-hour days, Monday-Friday, 8am – 5pm. Occasionally may need to work beyond normal working hours, weekends and/or holidays. Initial Tuberculosis (TB) test is required by Winner Regional Health. Rubella titer will also be drawn upon hire and immunization is required if no past exposure or indication of immunization. Must pass background check.

Required to wear name tag provided by WRH and to follow the dress code of WRH.  

Job Knowledge and Skills:

Ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to meet the public and employees in a professional manner and display a professional image in dealing with them. Ability to act as a liaison between patients and healthcare related agencies. Knowledge of computer and general office equipment.

Direct Supervisor:

Clinic Administrator

PART II: CODE OF CONDUCT

Function Explanation

Honesty - We will do the right thing at all times, even if it is difficult, maintaining strong, ethical practices. We protect the confidentiality of others, including patients, staff and the facility as a whole. We will take responsibility for our actions.

Expertise - We will demonstrate superior judgment, training and skill, at all times, demonstrating professionalism while doing so. We will perform all aspects of our job to the best of our ability, utilizing all resources and tools available.

Approachability - We will be non-judgmental, friendly, and open and willing to listen to everyone; we come into contact with while performing our duties. We are humble and learn from others.

Respect - We will be understanding and sensitive to others’ feelings; caring and responding in a manner that sets them at ease, keeping the situation in perspective without minimizing others’ feelings or reactions. We will listen to others with full attention in a sincere, civil fashion, being careful not to be judgmental of the speaker. We maintain composure when facing conflict and avoid jumping to conclusions and defaming another’s name.

Teamwork - We willingly work together with a common approach, trusting and supporting members of our organization, using our skills and resources, sharing information to achieve a common aim.

PART III: ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Essential functions are critical or fundamental to the performance of the job. They are the major functions for which the person in the job is held accountable. Following are the essential functions of the job, along with the corresponding performance standards.

Health System Navigation and resource coordination

• Helping patient find providers
• Helping patient make an appointment for a service
• Arranging transportation to a medical appointment
• Attending an appointment with the patient for a medical service
• Helping a patient find other relevant community resources such as support group

Health promotion and coaching 

• Providing information or education to patients that makes a positive contribution to their health status such as:
• Cessation of tobacco use
• Reduction in the misuse of alcohol or drugs
• Improvement in nutrition
• Improvement in physical fitness

Health Education

• Providing education on methods and measures that have been proven effective in avoiding illness and/or lessening its effects such as:
• Immunizations
• Control of high blood pressure
• Control of sexually transmittable disease
• Prevention and control of diabetes  

Customer Service

• Demonstrates positive and professional behaviors at all times with all customers, whether in person or on the phone.  
• Demonstrates effective communication and tact when assisting patients with concerns.  
• Effectively manages multiple tasks and establishes priorities in a professional manner to complete assigned work.  
• Demonstrate effective conflict resolution skills when needed.  

PART IV: COMPLIANCE

• Must comply with the Corporate Compliance Policy and all laws, rules, regulations and standards of conduct relating to the position. 
• The employee has a duty to report any suspected violations of the law or the standards of conduct to the Human Resource Manager or the Chief Executive Officer.

PART V: PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

General Activity  

• In a regular workday, employee may:

Sit 1-2 Hours at a time; up to 5 Hours during the day

Stand 1-8 Hours at a time; up to 1-8 Hours during the day

Walk . 5 Hours at a time; up to 2 Hours during the day

Motion  

• Employee is required: (In terms of a regular workday, "Occasionally" equals 1% to 33%, "Frequently" 34% to 66%, "Continuously", greater than 67%.)

Bend/Stoop Frequently Kneel, Duration 30 sec Occasionally

Squat Occasionally Balance Occasionally

Crawl, Distance Not at all Twist Occasionally

Climb, Height Not at all Keyboarding/Moussing Frequently

Reach above shoulder level Occasionally  

Physical Demand

Employee’s job requires he/she carry and lift loads from the floor, from 12 inches from the floor, to shoulder height and overhead. Employee’s job requires a pushing/pulling force to move a load (not the weight of the load).

Physical Demand Classification: Carrying/lifting weight and pushing/pulling force:

• Sedentary Occasionally 20 lbs. 
•    Frequently Negligible
•    Constantly Negligible

Sensory Requirements:

•  Yes/No Explanation (if Yes)

Speech - Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. Yes Must be able to direct groups of employees, give directions, and provide information quickly and thoroughly.

Vision (VDT) - Are there specific vision requirements for the job? Yes Must be able to read procedures, policies, etc., and observe the performance of employees.

Hearing - Ability to receive detailed information through oral communications, and to make fine discriminations in sound; i.e., using a telephone. Yes Must be able to listen to others in order to communicate effectively.

Environmental Factors

• Yes/No Explanation (if Yes)

Working on unprotected heights No      

Being around moving machinery No      

Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity No      

Driving automotive equipment Yes      

Wearing personal protective equipment Yes      

Exposure to atmospheric conditions (i.e. fumes, dust, odors, mists, gases, or poor ventilation) No      

Exposure to extreme noise or vibration No      

Exposure to blood, body fluids and waste No      

Exposure to radiation No      

Exposure to other hazards (i.e. mechanical, electrical, burns, or explosives) No      

Emotional/Psychological Factors

• Yes/No Explanation (if Yes)

Stress: Exposed to stressful situations Yes Works in a fast-paced, complex, rapidly changing environment.

Concentration: Must be able to concentrate on work tasks amidst distractions. Yes Experiences multiple interruptions in work and must be able to refocus on priority tasks quickly.

Must exert self-control. Yes Serves as a role model for others. Actions and words have a direct impact on the employees.

PART VI: JOB RELATIONSHIPS

Supervises 

1 No supervisory responsibilities

0 Supervisory responsibility

# Direct Reports:       

# Indirect Reports:       

Age of Patient Populations Served 

0 Neonates: 1-30 days

0 Infant: 30 days - 1 yr

0 Children: 1- 12 yrs 

0 Adolescents: 13- 18 yrs

0 Adults: 19- 70 yrs

0 Geriatrics: 70+ yrs

1 All

0 Not applicable

Internal Contacts 

1 Patients

1 Providers: (i.e. Physicians, Therapists, Social Workers)

1 Staff: (i.e. clinical and administrative support staff)

1 Volunteers

0 Others:       

External Contacts 

1 Patients

1 Families/Significant Others

1 Providers

1 Vendors

1 Community and Health Agencies

1 Regulatory agencies

1 Other: Job Applicants