Community Health Worker

Brief Description The Harris Center for mental Health and IDD (The HARRIS CENTER) is looking for a Community Health Worker (CHW) to join our team. The CHW serves as a frontline member of the Integrated Primary Care and Behavioral Health Home, supporting adults with serious mental illness (SMI). The CHW provides outreach, engagement, care navigation, and barrier reduction services to promote continuity of care, improved health outcomes, and long‑term stability. Operating within a CCBHC framework and utilizing a “Channels of Reveal” approach, the CHW connects individuals who are disengaged from care or cycling through hospital, crisis, justice, and community systems to evidence‑based treatment and wrap‑around supports. This role emphasizes relationship‑based engagement, whole‑person care, and coordination across behavioral health, primary care, and community partners. Your Role in Action Outreach & Engagement Conduct proactive, community‑based outreach through “channels of reveal,” including emergency departments, inpatient units, crisis services, justice settings, and other community locations where individuals with untreated or poorly managed SMI frequently present. Engage individuals who are treatment‑naïve, disengaged from care, or identified as high utilizers of emergency or inpatient services. Linkage to Care Connect individuals with SMI to Integrated Health Home and CCBHC services using warm handoffs. Support appointment scheduling, care engagement, and follow‑through with recommended treatment plans. Care Coordination & Navigation Serve as a trusted connector between individuals and the multidisciplinary care team, including behavioral health clinicians, primary care providers, nursing staff, peer support specialists, and external partners. Assist individuals in navigating healthcare appointments, preparing for visits, understanding care plans, and following treatment recommendations. Support medication access and adherence in collaboration with the care team. Addressing Health‑Related Social Needs Identify and address social determinants of health impacting stability and recovery, including housing, food insecurity, transportation, employment, legal issues, and access to benefits. Connect individuals to appropriate community resources and social service supports. Transitions & Continuity of Care Support individuals during high‑risk transitions such as hospital discharge, emergency department visits, or community reentry following incarceration. Conduct follow‑up outreach to reinforce discharge instructions, coordinate follow‑up appointments, and support medication continuity to reduce avoidable crises and relapse. Documentation & Team Participation Document outreach, engagement, navigation, and support activities in the electronic health record. Participate in team huddles, case conferences, and care planning meetings. Contribute to quality improvement activities and support data collection related to engagement, retention, and utilization outcomes. Performs other related duties as assigned. Education High School Diploma or G.E.D required. Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)–Certified Community Health Worker or ability to obtain certification within required timeframe. Completion of DSHS‑approved training and continuing education in accordance with state requirements. Compliance with Texas CHW Scope of Practice and Code of Ethics. Experience working with individuals with serious mental illness and complex social needs preferred. Experience One (1) year of related experience, required. Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Ability to adapt to constant changes in a fast‑paced environment. Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality of all work‑related matters with the ability to communicate effectively and tactfully within all levels of the agency. Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement and motivation to patients. Demonstrates knowledge of the correlation of physical and mental health challenges with the population served. Effectively collaborate with others. Strong communication skills. Identify and offer solutions to resolve problems using knowledge of the agency to identify helpful resources. Effective time management and organizational skills. Basic Word and Excel capabilities. What We Have To Offer The Harris Center not only offers a competitive salary but also a suite of excellent benefits designed to enrich your life both professionally and personally. Payback for prior service, a robust retirement plan with company matching, paid time off accrual, cell phone discounts, entertainment deals, a free Headspace subscription, Employee Assistance Program, and student loan forgiveness program. Contributes to suicide care and prevention by embracing our values and applying a trauma‑informed approach rooted in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. What Else You Should Know This posting is associated with position #2838-26115. #J-18808-Ljbffr