Community Health Worker

Job Description

Job Description

Sterling Health Solutions, Inc.

Job Description

Title:                           Community Health Worker - CHW

Supervisor(s):           Practice Manager

Department:              Medical Services

FLSA Status:             Non-Exempt

Effective Date:          February 1, 2017

Job Summary

The Community Health Worker (CHW) will work closely with providers, primary care teams, outreach teams, and other agencies to improve patient care and outcomes. The CHW, serves as an advocate a bridge between the community and the health care, government and social service systems.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Helping patients develop their capacity and access to resources, including health insurance, food, housing, transportation, quality care and health information.
2. Ensuring that culturally diverse populations and underserved communities receive the proper medical attention.
3. Be an integral part in coordinating and facilitating the organizations patient transportation services.
4. Facilitating communication and client empowerment in interactions with health care/social service systems. 
5. Helping health care and social service systems become culturally relevant and responsive to their service population.
6. Linking patients to health care/social service resources.
7. Develop outreach to migrant population in SHS service areas.
8. Convey the purposes and services of the health center to the population.
9. Help patients develop health management plans and goals.
10. Follow-up with health management/care plans with both patients and providers.
11. Coach patients in effective management of their chronic health conditions and self-care.
12. Assist patients in understanding care plans and instructions.
13. Work collaboratively and effectively within a team.
14. Establish positive, supportive relationships with participants and provide feedback.
15. Help patients in utilizing resources, including scheduling appointments, and assisting with completion of applications for programs for which they may be eligible.
16. Assist patients in accessing health related services, including but not limited to: obtaining a medical home, providing instruction on appropriate use of medical home, overcoming barriers to obtaining needed medical care and social services.
17. Facilitate communication and coordinate services between providers.
18. Motivate patients to be active, engaged participants in their health.
19. Building and maintain positive working relationships with the patients, providers, nurse case managers, supervisors and office staff.
20. Continuously expand knowledge and understanding of community resources, services and programs provided.
21. Provide information in a manner culturally and linguistically appropriate to the needs of the population being served.
22. Work with prescription assistance programs and 340B pharmacies to assist patients get needed medications.
23. Provide referrals to needed services such as transportation, housing, child advocacy, dental, substance abuse, health education, nutrition counseling, food banks, and employment assistance.
24. Educate and assist families in applying for social services programs such as insurance (Medicaid and others), utilities programs, child care, etc.
25. Record and maintain documentation concerning assistance provided to patients and others for reporting purposes.
26. Assist in coordination of transportation services.
27. Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required

• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times
• Be courteous and respectful to patients and co-workers at all times
• Ability to work effectively with providers, staff, and third-party payors
• Ability to work independently, establish priorities, and coordinate work activities
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to use good judgment to accomplish goals
• Ability to identify and access resources
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of individuals
• Knowledge of the community/population served 
• Ability to “empower” patients – identify problems and resources to help them solve problems themselves

Credentials and Experience

Required

• High School Diploma or GED
• 2+ years of experience in one or more of the following areas: communications, outreach, education and training, healthcare
• General knowledge of patient health technologies (e.g., electronic health record) and ability to explain it to others

Preferred

• Outreach: 2 years
• Communications: 2 years 
• Electronic Medical Records: 2 years 
• Medical interpretation certification

Special Requirements

Requires sitting, standing and walking for extensive periods of time.  Requires working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours.  Requires frequent exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids, toxic substances, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to a clinic environment. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  Ability to work with a moderate noise level in the work environment is required.  

The above information is intended to describe the most important aspects of the job. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required in order to perform the work. The health center reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the business need arises.  Additionally, this job description is not intended as an employment contract, implied or otherwise, and the Center continues to maintain its status as an at-will employer. 

If the essential functions of this position cannot be performed in a satisfactory manner by the employee, reasonable accommodations may be made.