Community Health Worker

Under the immediate supervision of the Administrator and Head Nurse of the Community Health Clinic, this position is a front-line public health worker who performs a wide variety of duties at the paraprofessional level to engage, support, advocate, and educate community members in overall wellness to prevent and promote the treatment of chronic diseases. The Community Health Worker works closely with medical providers, primary care teams, and other agencies to improve patient care outcomes.

Provides health information through community outreach, group health education sessions, individual encounters, and home visits to assess client needs and concerns as they relate to their health.

Reduces stigma and other barriers to initiating or continuing health care services by providing culturally/linguistically competent, reliable information to community members. 

Helps clients develop health management plans and goals. 

Assists clients in accessing health related services, including but not limited to obtaining a medical home, providing instruction on appropriate use of the medical home, overcoming barriers to obtaining needed medical care and social services. 

Coaches clients in effective management of their chronic health conditions and self-care to promote behavior change. 

Motivates clients to be active, engaged participants in their health and the healthcare system.

Attends and participate in team meetings.

Assists clients with completion of forms and medical/social paperwork.

Helps clients in utilizing resources, including scheduling appointments, and assisting with completion of applications for programs for which they may be eligible.

Provides advocacy to address health disparities at the individual and community levels. 

Performs other related duties.

High School Diploma or equivalent, including one year of experience in community work, education, health care or a related field with community-based experience providing advocacy and support through employment, internship, or volunteer experience.

FACTOR 1- KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

Knowledge of local population demographics, assets, and needs.

Knowledge of local community health disparities and strategies for reducing health disparities and barriers to accessing healthcare.

Knowledge of departmental rules, policies, regulations, and procedures as they relate to client services.

Knowledge of laws and regulations related to clients’ rights, medical record keeping protocols, and required documentation.

Knowledge of human relations and procedures used in dealing with the public.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of legal, ethical, and professional rules of conduct.

Knowledge of program; practices associated with community health clinics, operations, functions, policies, and procedures. 

Knowledge in operating a personal computer and basic computer software required for clinical programing and reporting.

Ability to provide privacy and maintain confidentiality in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA).

Ability to display organizational and time management skills.

Ability to continuously expand knowledge and understanding of community resources, services, and programs associated with the Department of Health.

Ability to manage new, unusual, or different situations.

Ability to connect with and provide ongoing support in a behavior change process. 

Ability to follow instructions and incorporate feedback. 

Ability to display empathy, respect, and understanding of community resources, programmatic goals, and departmental values and processes.

Ability to speak and write clearly and concisely and to prepare reports of an administrative nature. 

FACTOR 2- SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

Work is performed under the supervision of the Administrator and Head Nurse of the Community Health Clinic. Work is reviewed through consultations with supervisor and reporting.

FACTOR 3- GUIDELINES

Guidelines consist of departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures, manuals, and obligations.

FACTOR 4- COMPLEXITY 

Work entails planning, collaborating, and care coordination. The employee uses sound independent judgement in carrying out the work, setting priorities and objectives, and meeting deadlines.

FACTOR 5- SCOPE AND EFFECT

The purpose of work is to effectively administer a community health worker program that reduces health disparities and increases access to healthcare.

FACTOR 6- PERSONAL CONTACTS

Contacts are made with immediate supervisors, medical providers, primary care teams, co-workers and clients via email, telephone, written correspondence and in person.

FACTOR 7- PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

Contacts are made to help the public and to support, advocate and educate the community.

FACTOR 8- PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is sedentary and requires light physical effort.

FACTOR 9- WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in an air-conditioned office setting, and occasionally requires non-traditional work hours.