Community Health Worker - Temporary Position ending October 31, 2027

Washburn County is accepting applications for a temporary Community Health Worker position that will end on October 31, 2027.  The purpose of this position is to provide Washburn County residents with the services of a Community Health Worker as part of the “Bridging Gaps in Senior Health and Wellness: A 2 year Pilot Community Health Worker Initiative for Washburn County”.  This Community Health Worker pilot aims to improve the health, well-being, and social connectedness of seniors in Washburn County.  By establishing a temporary position as a Community Health Worker (CHW), this project will address critical health and social service gaps for the county's growing senior population.  This project aims to address the urgent health and social service needs of the county’s aging population through a dedicated Community Health Worker (CHW) program.

• Support health equity by helping seniors access healthcare services, manage care plans, and maintain social connections.
• Expanding senior nutrition programs to improve attendance at congregate dining sites and enhance home-delivered meal services.
• Bolster social health support by recruiting volunteers to provide companionship to homebound seniors.
• Conduct regular wellness checks to the homebound.
• Offer referrals to mental health and social services.
• Collaborate with local organizations to integrate social engagement opportunities at meal sites.
• Provide information about services, program resources (public and private) that can help elderly persons experience daily life with dignity and security, maximizing their opportunities for self-sufficiency and choice.
• Assist customers in connecting with appropriate resources and services to meet their needs.  Follow-up as needed to determine outcomes and to offer additional assistance as necessary.  
• Support persons facing a crisis by connecting them to emergency services and/or by providing short-term care coordination until the situation stabilizes.  This includes referrals for elder abuse and adult protective services.
• Link at-risk individuals with prevention and early intervention services provided by public health and other service providers.
• Collect and record demographic information about customers and actions taken using the ADRC database and reporting system.
• Work with the project team to collect both quantitative and qualitative data, to evaluate outcomes, including increased access to care, reduced isolation, and improved participation in nutrition programs.
• Participate in the on-going marketing and outreach of the ADRC.
• Maintains client confidentiality and confidentiality of client information.
• Demonstrates professional, courteous customer service to clients and other staff, consistent with County Core Values.

• Ability to relate well with elderly and caregivers.
• Knowledge of physical, psychological, social and economic needs of the elderly and caregivers.  
• Ability to research, investigate problems and provide needed documentation – good counseling and interviewing skills, with the ability to assess and reframe as the conversation progresses.
• Good verbal and writing skills including ability to speak in front of large groups of people.
• Ability to keep and maintain accurate records. Monthly reporting is required.
• Knowledge of government programs – be able to deal effectively with governmental bureaucracies, the legal system, and the general public.
• Ability to read, interpret and apply regulations governing eligibility for benefits.
• Thorough knowledge of office terminology, procedures and equipment and of business arithmetic and English.
• Extensive knowledge of computer systems, data entry and word processing by demonstrating working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite programs.
• Ability to follow complex oral and written directions with higher than average accuracy.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, citizens and officials.
• Ability to maintain complex clerical records and prepare reports from such records.
• Ability to make decisions in accordance with laws, regulations and establish procedures.
• Ability to type 45 wpm.

Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in a human services-related field.  An equivalent combination of training and experience providing the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities may also be considered.

Will be required to complete Community Health Worker training within the first few months, including foundational CHW coursework, provided by Milwaukee Area Health Education Center, which provides a 16-week baseline training program with opportunities for one-on-one coaching and ongoing professional development on advanced CHW topics.

Able to attend regional and statewide trainings requiring travel and some overnight stays.

Must possess a valid driver’s license and access to insured and reliable transportation.

Knowledge of governmental income maintenance programs, health insurance, Medicare billing and consumer rights; i.e. medical assistance, social security, SSI, Medicare, private health and disability insurance, prescription drug assistance, and legal issues.The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear.  The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED 
Telephone systems; mainframe computer terminal; personal computer including word processing software; copy machine; postage machine; fax machine; calculator.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee normally works in a pleasant office environment.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them form the position if the work is similar related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.