Community Health Worker

Job Description

Job Description

Why Kinston Health?

We offer:

• 3 weeks of paid time off
• 11 paid holidays
• 4% dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Opportunities for professional growth while making a lasting impact on the health of our community

• Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Have a valid North Carolina driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Be comfortable working directly in the community and engaging people from diverse backgrounds.
• Have evening and weekend availability. (Schedules are planned in advance—no surprise schedule changes!)

If you believe better men's health begins with trust, conversation, and meeting people where they are, we'd love to hear from you.

See the full job description below!

The Community Health Worker serves as a vital connection between patients, Kinston Health, and community resources. This position provides outreach, care navigation, health education, patient follow-up, and resource coordination to help individuals overcome barriers and access healthcare and essential services. Working across clinical, community, mobile, and home-based settings, the Community Health Worker supports improved access to care, patient engagement, and positive health outcomes.

Qualifications

Education :

• High school diploma or equivalent required

Certifications & Licenses:

• Community Health Worker certificate preferred
• Valid North Carolina driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

Experience:

• Experience in community outreach, healthcare navigation, case management, home health, personal care, direct support, public health, or other community-based healthcare settings preferred.
• Experience as a Personal Care Aide (PCA), Direct Support Professional (DSP), Home Health Aide (HHA), Home Care Aide, Certified Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide (CNA/NA I), or other entry-level direct-care or patient-support professional is highly valued and provides an excellent foundation for success in this role.
• Experience working with underserved, vulnerable, elderly, disabled, or medically complex populations strongly preferred.
• Experience or training in billing, charge entry, patient registration, administrative support, clinical services, or related healthcare functions preferred.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and coordination skills.
• Ability to build rapport and communicate effectively with patients and individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently in community-based settings and collaboratively with internal departments and community partners.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Familiarity with electronic health records (EHR) and health management systems preferred.
• Ability to safely and efficiently operate mobile unit systems and support clinical staff in patient-care delivery within the scope of the position.

  Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Patient Outreach, Engagement & Care Navigation

• Maintain an active caseload of no fewer than 250 patients annually, providing outreach, follow-up, care navigation, and resource coordination.
• Conduct outreach activities, including home visits, community education, health screenings, mobile health clinics, and community events as assigned.
• Connect new and existing patients with KCHC primary care providers, medical and behavioral health services, social services, and other community-based resources.
• Complete timely follow-up with patients to address barriers to care, promote continuity of services, and support successful connections to recommended resources.
• Complete social determinants of health risk assessments as assigned and make appropriate referrals based on identified needs.
• Greet and engage patients, visitors, and community members with professionalism, warmth, and respect.

Patient Access, Enrollment & Program Support

• Support enrollment in Medicaid, HealthCare.gov insurance plans, KCHC's sliding fee discount program, and other healthcare coverage or assistance programs as assigned.
• Educate patients and community members about available programs and assist with applications, renewals, and required documentation.
• Complete patient registration, schedule appointments, enter sliding fee information, and create or update patient records in the electronic health record (EHR) system.
• When assigned, provide Certified Application Counselor (CAC) assistance, support LCEMP participants, and complete social determinants of health risk assessments for Medicare beneficiaries in accordance with established program expectations.

Community Outreach & Partnerships

• Represent KCHC at community meetings, health fairs, outreach events, mobile clinics, and other community-based activities as assigned.
• Build awareness of KCHC programs and services to support new patient enrollment, increased service utilization, and improved access to care.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with community organizations, healthcare providers, social service agencies, and other partners.

Documentation, Performance & Quality Improvement

• Accurately and promptly document patient interactions, outreach activities, referrals, follow-up contacts, charge entries, appointments, screenings, and other required information in NextGen or other assigned systems.
• Track and report assigned performance measures, including patients served, outreach activities, referrals, follow-up completion, screenings, enrollment assistance, and other program-specific outcomes.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives designed to enhance service delivery, patient engagement, operational efficiency, and health outcomes, particularly for underserved and priority populations.
• Support the collection and reporting of data required by KCHC, grantors, funding sources, and regulatory agencies.

Compliance & Operational Responsibilities

• Maintain the confidentiality and security of patient records, applications, personal information, and other sensitive information in accordance with HIPAA, organizational policies, and applicable requirements.
• Perform daily vehicle safety checks as assigned, maintain required documentation, and assist with patient transportation when authorized.
• Attend and participate in meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities as assigned.
• Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor while representing KCHC.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational needs.

  Work Environment & Schedule

• Must be able and comfortable working in a variety of settings including, but not limited to clinical environments and office spaces.
• Participation in community events may involve outdoor work and exposure to varying weather conditions, including high or low temperatures.
• Must be able to work nights and weekends as departmental needs arise.
• Must be able to operate all company vehicles safely during both daytime and nighttime hours.

Travel Requirements

• Local travel may be required for community events, outreach activities, meetings, and organizational initiatives.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and maintain a driving record that meets organizational insurance requirements.
• Must be able to operate all company vehicles safely during both daytime and nighttime hours.

Core Competencies

• Communication: Demonstrates strong verbal, written, and digital communication skills; able to clearly explain complex information. 
• Judgment & Decision-Making: Provides thoughtful input into operational and program decisions.
• Accountability & Self-Management: Works independently and efficiently, managing multiple responsibilities with minimal supervision.
• Teamwork & Collaboration: Builds effective working relationships across teams, departments, and the community.
• Problem-Solving & Initiative: Applies critical thinking and initiative to resolve issues and improve service delivery.

  Service Delivery Expectations

• Demonstrates compassion and respect in all interactions, treating patients, community members, and colleagues with dignity and cultural sensitivity.
• Supports the organization’s mission to improve the health of our communities by helping ensure services, information, and resources are accessible to those we serve.
• Communicates clearly and effectively with diverse populations while actively listening and responding to community needs.
• Maintains confidentiality and handles sensitive information with professionalism and integrity.
• Upholds organizational standards, policies, and procedures while promoting high-quality service and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrates accountability and stewardship by managing time effectively, prioritizing responsibilities, and meeting deadlines.
• Shows awareness of the community served and supports initiatives that improve access to care and health education.
• Projects a professional image and collaborates with colleagues, providing guidance or leadership when coordinating activities or supporting team efforts.
• Maintains compliance with HIPAA and patient confidentiality requirements.
• Follows workplace safety standards and infection control policies when present in clinical environments.

  Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of sitting while working at a computer and viewing screens.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and operating office and medical equipment.
• Requires close visual acuity to perform activities such as viewing computer screens, preparing and reviewing documents.
• Occasional standing and walking, particularly during meetings, events, or outreach activities.
• Ability to move throughout office and event spaces as needed to perform job duties.
• Ability to bend, reach, and set up materials for events or outreach activities as needed.
• Occasional lifting, carrying, or moving materials such as marketing supplies, signage, or event equipment weighing up to 25–50 pounds.
• Must be able to operate all company vehicles safely during both daytime and nighttime hours.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

  Supervisory & Leadership Responsibilities

• No direct supervision, but may lead activities related to their work.

Compliance Responsibilities

As part of Kinston Community Health Center’s commitment to ethical practices and regulatory compliance, all employees are expected to:

• Act in accordance with the KCHC Employee Handbook, policies and procedures, and all applicable federal and state laws.
• Promptly report any known or suspected violations of compliance/safety standards.

These responsibilities are essential to maintaining a culture of integrity and accountability across the organization.

Background Requirements

• Must successfully pass required background checks in accordance with organizational policy.

• Must comply with all organizational credentialing and screening requirements.