Community Health Worker

Summary: 

As defined by the American Public Health Association (APHA):

A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has a uniquely close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the CHW to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.

A CHW also builds 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 (APHA, 2018). A Community Health Worker is a non-clinical position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Successfully complete a certification in Community Health Worker services.
• Support the patient in following instructions given by provider (e.g. dietary instructions, medication adherence, etc.), perform assessments of patient and family needs for information about mental health, health and social services, and provide information and education about services, and referrals information to patients and their families.
• Act as a liaison between patients and their families, behavioral health and human service providers, and report to network members the specific characteristics of conditions which impede patients from obtaining available services.
• Work with multi-disciplinary teams to establish action plans for patients and families; ensure action plans are carried out, link patients with all needed services; connect patients to support groups; provide emotional and educational support for patients and families.
• Maintain precise records in accordance with protocol.
• Participate in continuing education programs, in-service education programs, and peer support system with other Community Health Workers.
• Other minimal performance requirement levels as designated.
• Other duties as assigned.

OTHER ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Grace Health recognizes that managing patient care is a team effort that involves clinical and non-clinical staff.  All employees must embrace a team-based approach to patient care and understand that each role is important to our success. 
• Team members must demonstrate excellent team communication and coordination to provide quality patient care.
• Community Health Workers role includes communicating with community organizations, health plans, facilities, and specialists.
• Care team members understand and embrace the concept of population management and proactively address the needs of patients and families served by this practice. 
• Team members must demonstrate skill and knowledge related to effective communication with vulnerable patient populations.
• Team members must participate in Continuous Quality Improvement activities within the organization to ensure patients receive high quality care.
• All team members will be involved in the process of improving quality incomes.
• Team members will participate in the review and evaluation processes of practice performance and help to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Team members will participate in Grace Health's advocacy program

GENERAL DUTIES:

• Follows policies and procedures of the office, including administrative, clinical, quality assurance, and personnel.
• Maintains good attendance (daily, meetings, and other assignment tasks).
• Maintains timely documentation of all work assignments.
• Maintains patient confidentiality.
• Routinely keeps supervisor informed about attendance and job assignments.
• Flexible in being able to multitask.
• Works effectively and at an efficient pace.
• Works cooperatively with providers, administration, and peers.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

 To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to assist in advancing Grace Health’s mission and to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: 

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.  Must possess a valid driver’s license.

• Experience:  Priority will be given to applicants who have experience with social, housing, environmental, health or behavioral health system.   

• Other: This position requires the ability to disseminate information; the ability to follow through and carry out plans of action; and good verbal skills.

Grace Health provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.