Community Health Worker

Location KinderSmile Community Oral Health Center- Bloomfield with travel to Trenton and Newark About KinderSmile Foundation KinderSmile Foundation was founded in the community and for the community. Since establishment in 2007, our mission has been to provide underserved children, perinatal women, and families with access to comprehensive dental care and educate underserved children and their families on the importance of dental hygiene. We envision a future where every child has access to a dentist, and preventable dental diseases are eradicated. As an organization that bridges the gap in access to care for vulnerable communities in the state, we ensure that the patients and community receive quality care at the highest ethical caliber, valuing checks and balances. KinderSmile Foundation dental providers and staff are expected to adhere to the highest level of ethical conduct, responsibility, and integrity when caring for our patients and community, understanding the trust they place in us to prioritize their health and wellbeing. Position Summary This is a full-time, non-exempt position. As a KinderSmile Foundation Community Health Worker, you will work closely with Dentists, Dental Hygienists, Dental Assistants, Front Desk Patient Coordinators, and other Dental Home and Foundation staff and volunteers, fostering a team-oriented atmosphere and furthering the culture of KinderSmile Foundation. You are committed to community dentistry and KinderSmile Foundation's mission of providing underserved children, perinatal women, and families with comprehensive dental care and educating children and their families on the importance of dental hygiene. The Community Health Worker participates in community engagement and is an integral part of KinderSmile Foundation's Perinatal Health and Wellness Program (PHWP) and other initiatives that offer community engagement work and education. The Community Health Workers are the connection between community members and KinderSmile Community Oral Health Centers (KSCOHC). Working closely with the Chief Operating Officer, the Community Health Worker attends and represents KinderSmile Foundation at community, outreach, educational, maternal health, tabling, and recruitment events, acting as a liaison who links mothers and families from outreach events to a permanent Dental Home for continuity of diagnostic, preventive, and comprehensive dental care. This position requires an interest in public health and community service, along with excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills. You are friendly, punctual, reliable, relatable, and have an affinity for working with children. You are a self-starter who successfully balances the responsibilities of this role, adheres to all office protocols including OSHA and HIPAA regulations, and maintains a clean and organized workspace. KinderSmile Foundation dental providers and staff are expected to adhere to the highest level of ethical conduct, responsibility, and integrity when caring for our patients and community, understanding the trust placed in us to prioritize their health and wellbeing. Work Schedule The full-time, non-exempt Community Health Worker will work 35 hours per week (flexible): Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. A one-hour lunch break will be a part of a 7- or 8-hour work schedule. The Community Health Worker will have flexibility to fill in at outreach events or other KinderSmile Community Oral Health Center Dental Home locations as needed and/or on an emergency basis. Essential Duties and Responsibilities The Community Health Worker provides day-to-day community engagement, patient linkage, education, and data-collection support across the Perinatal Health and Wellness Program (PHWP) and the KinderSmile Community Oral Health Centers. This role is key to connecting underserved families to care, supporting programmatic outcomes, and maintaining the Foundation's standards of professionalism and integrity. Core Duty 1: Community Engagement & Outreach: Attend and represent KinderSmile Foundation and the Perinatal Health and Wellness Program (PHWP), Community service learning program, Give back a smile program at community, outreach, educational, maternal health, tabling, and recruitment events; participate in recruitment activities for PHWP patients, Dental Home families, community agencies, and maternal agencies. Core Duty 2: PHWP Liaison & Patient Linkage: Serve as an integral part of PHWP and Medical-Dental Integration Initiatives; educate mothers from pregnancy through three years postpartum; act as liaison linking children, mothers, and families recruited at community events to a permanent Dental Home (Bloomfield, Newark, or Trenton) for continuity of diagnostic, preventive, and comprehensive dental care. Core Duty 3: Patient & Maternal Health Education: Conduct Maternal and Infant Oral Health Education sessions in a relatable, culturally sensitive manner, covering the importance of oral health to maternal and infant outcomes, the safety of oral health care during pregnancy, and the value of preventive care maintenance; educate patients on oral hygiene, plaque control, and disease prevention, and remind them of upcoming visits. Core Duty 4: Data Collection, Tracking & Auditing: Track and collect data for all patients linked to the Dental Homes, including services provided, demographic and gestational data points; audit Eaglesoft chart entries and accounts; track and record recall-visit data and educational-program feedback; perform continuous data collection and auditing to advance PHWP through programmatic outcomes. Core Duty 5: Administrative & Reporting: Assist the PHWP Director and COO with data tracking and analysis; prepare ongoing reports of activities and outcomes for PHWP; follow up with patients by phone and in the Eaglesoft PMS; help prepare informational materials and resources; ensure all communication on behalf of KinderSmile Foundation reflects KSF mission, vision, and correct terminology and branding. Core Duty 6: Dental Home On-Site Support: Be ready to start work on time and participate in the daily huddle; greet and seat patients; prep and break down treatment rooms as needed; assist Dental Providers, Hygienists, and Assistants as needed; bag, sterilize, and store instruments; keep clinical and sterilization areas, the oral education room, and the dental home clean, neat, organized, and well stocked. Core Duty 7: Professional Development: Train to independently conduct educational sessions for PHWP and become competent with all software tools utilized by KinderSmile Foundation programs, including KSOHP, PHWP, CSLP, and GBAS. General Staff Responsibilities Treat all KinderSmile Foundation staff and volunteers with respect, dignity, professionalism, and cultural sensitivity. Abide by all state and federal regulatory standards, and KinderSmile Foundation's manuals and policies, including OSHA, HIPAA, and Risk Management, and follow Standard Operating Procedures approved by the CEO and COO, ensuring that participating interns and volunteers do the same. a. OSHA and HIPAA regulations b. KinderSmile Community Oral Health Center Policies and Procedures: Operations & Protocols Manual c. Employee Handbook d. Standard Operating Procedures e. State and Federal regulations and standards f. Comply with KinderSmile Foundation procedures, rules, and regulations to maintain a clean and safe working environment. Qualifications Education & Credentials High school diploma or equivalent Current BLS/CPR certification preferred Experience Community work experience preferred Minimum of 1–2 years of experience conducting community outreach, patient recruitment, and enrollment through health fairs, community events, tabling, and partnerships with community-based organizations, maternal health agencies, or healthcare providers Experience connecting individuals and families to healthcare services, community resources, and support programs, with the ability to conduct follow-up, maintain ongoing engagement, and promote continuity of care for underserved populations Experience working with pregnant or postpartum individuals, children, families, or vulnerable populations in a community health, maternal and child health, public health, dental health, or social services setting; knowledge of community resources and culturally responsive engagement practices required Good communication and telephone skills Working knowledge of customer care and data entry using Google Workspace, such as Docs and Sheets Willingness to learn dental software and electronic health records Other Critical Skills Organized, punctual, reliable, and relatable Works well as part of a team Enjoys working with children Friendly and personable Special Working Conditions Travel in NJ: Must be willing and able to travel statewide to visit KinderSmile Foundation Dental Homes and to attend outreach events and conferences. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required. Public Engagement: Tabling and attending conferences may require public speaking, networking, and relationship-building with diverse community groups, stakeholders, and partner organizations. Leading Classes: Responsible for leading engaging, culturally sensitive educational sessions on maternal oral health, which may involve standing for extended periods and interacting with diverse audiences. Exposure to Dental Environment: The employee may be in close physical proximity or contact with patients when providing dental care. Personal Protective Equipment: The employee is responsible for the appropriate usage and handling of personal protective equipment as needed in accordance with community levels and guidelines in the event of a communicable disease outbreak, when applicable. Variable Schedule: The role required working in different locations on various days of the week. Multitasking: The role involves managing multiple projects, assignments, activities, and tasks simultaneously. Physical Requirements The physical requirements for the Community Health Worker position typically include the ability to sit for extended periods of time, as the employee will be working at a computer station and assisting patients at the front desk. The role may also involve occasional lifting and carrying of office supplies, materials, and equipment, typically weighing up to 20 pounds. Good manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination are necessary for tasks such as typing, filing, and handling paperwork. The employee should possess good vision and hearing, as the role requires reading documents, using a computer, and communicating with patients and colleagues in person and over the phone. The employee may need to assist in the clinical area on occasion, which may involve standing, bending, and reaching to support dental staff and patients, and must be able to tolerate exposure to various noises from dental equipment while maintaining focus in a potentially noisy work environment. The employee should be able to use hands to operate a computer, scanner, printer, and other office equipment. The Community Health Worker must have the ability to travel to and have presence in all three KinderSmile Community Oral Health Centers in Bloomfield, Newark, and Trenton, as well as at community outreach events. The Community Health Worker must have the ability to communicate information clearly, and convey accurate information to patients, staff, management, and others. This posting's pay rate is stated above. As required by New Jersey's Pay & Benefit Transparency Act, this notice also applies to internal transfer and promotion opportunities. Subject to eligibility requirements, plan terms, and part-time status, and subject to change under organizational policy, compensation may include: Health, dental, and vision insurance Paid time off Specific eligibility, amounts, and terms are governed by the applicable plan documents and the Employee Handbook, and do not constitute a guarantee of any particular benefit. KinderSmile Foundation, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, hire, train, promote, and administer all employment-related decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the ADA, and other applicable federal, state, and local law. At-Will Employment & Job Description Disclaimer This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications, and duties may change at KinderSmile Foundation's discretion to meet organizational needs. This document is not a contract of employment and does not alter the at-will nature of employment with KinderSmile Foundation, under which either the employee or KinderSmile Foundation may end the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or notice, except as otherwise required by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr