Community Health Worker

At Henry Ford Health, we're committed to advancing health and improving lives for the millions of people we serve across Michigan and around the world. As one of the nation's leading academic health systems, we provide a comprehensive continuum of care that includes primary and preventive services, specialty and complex care, virtual care, pharmacy, home health, eye care, health insurance, and more. With 12 hospitals and hundreds of ambulatory care locations, including former Ascension Southeast Michigan and Flint Region facilities, our growing network expands access to exceptional care in the communities we serve.

Headquartered in Detroit, Henry Ford Health is helping shape the future of healthcare through the transformative Future of Health: Detroit initiative, a $3 billion investment that is redefining our academic healthcare campus and advancing innovation, research, education, and community impact.

Our work is grounded in purpose, collaboration, and belonging. We empower team members to grow their careers, contribute innovative ideas, and make a meaningful difference every day. Whether you're caring for patients, supporting operations, conducting research, or driving new solutions, you'll be part of a team united by a shared mission: delivering exceptional care, advancing health outcomes, and building healthier communities for all.

Job Description

GENERAL SUMMARY:

As a Community Health Worker (CHW), you'll be a trusted bridge between healthcare, social services, and the communities we serve—making a real difference in people's lives every day. Under the leadership of the Office of Community Health, Equity & Wellness' CHW Hub Manager, and in partnership with designated onsite leaders, you'll serve as a vital liaison who promotes access to healthcare services, improves health and equity outcomes, and helps patients navigate the systems that support their wellbeing. Whether integrated directly within a clinical care team or assigned to a specific project, you'll play a critical role in addressing social determinants of health (SDOH), connecting individuals to essential services, and delivering patient-centered, culturally relevant care that truly matters.

 

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify and address patients' non-medical and social determinant of health needs—including food security, housing, transportation, and social support—by providing meaningful referrals to appropriate social service agencies and tracking positive outcomes.
• Collaborate with clinical care teams to ensure seamless continuity of care, co-develop personalized care plans, and provide compassionate follow-up support through home visits and telephonic check-ins that strengthen patient relationships.
• Drive patient engagement and retention by conducting direct outreach that improves recruitment, supports adherence to care instructions, and increases utilization of primary and preventive care services—ultimately reducing no-show rates and unnecessary emergency department visits.
• Build trust and foster community connections through authentic outreach that helps bridge healthcare services with the communities we serve.
• Empower patients through culturally competent health education and coaching—delivered individually and in group settings—that focuses on disease prevention, health promotion, and effective chronic disease management.
• Advocate for patients by identifying and removing barriers to care (such as insurance enrollment, transportation, housing, and language access), facilitating connections to resources, and supporting individuals in confidently navigating both healthcare and social service systems.
• Promote health literacy and patient self-advocacy by providing guidance on self-management of chronic conditions, system navigation, and personal empowerment strategies.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation of patient encounters and contribute to the evaluation of community and population health initiatives by collecting and analyzing relevant data within Henry Ford's electronic health record and other prescribed documentation tools.
• Connect patients with HFH classes, support groups, and related services, assisting with recruitment and enrollment to expand access to care resources.
• Continuously expand your knowledge and expertise through ongoing training, staying current with community resources, prescribed curriculums, IRB protocols, and organizational policies relevant to your caseload or project.

Qualifications

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent.
• Previous experience as a community health worker, preferred.
• Previous experience conducting health education, or working with underserved populations, preferred.
• Previous experience conducting home and/or clinic visits with patients and their primary care providers, preferred.

Additional Information

CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSURES REQUIRED:

Certification as a Community Health Worker or a willingness to become certified within six months of hire.

 

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

• Ability to build trust with the community and maintain ethical standards of care.
• Knowledge of local health resources and the social service system.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work with diverse communities.
• Cultural competency, particularly with underserved or marginalized populations.
• Must meet or exceed core customer service responsibilities, standards and behaviors as outlined in the Henry Ford Health Customer Service Policy
• Must practice the customer skills as provided through on-going training and in-services.

 

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS :

Depending on the specific needs of assigned work, there may be variations of inperson, hybrid or remote office-based work with frequent community outreach, including home visits and attendance at community events. Must have a valid State of Michigan driver’s license and automobile insurance.