Certified Community Health Worker

Job Description

Job Description

PURPOSE:
The Certified Community Health Worker (CCHW) will provide a high level of clinical support and will be responsible for
helping patients and their families to navigate and access community services, other resources, and adopt healthy
behaviors through health promotion, disease prevention and disease management. The Certified CHW supports the clinic
team (Medical/Behavioral/ Dental) through an integrated approach to care management and community outreach. As a
priority, activity will promote, maintain, and improve the health of patients and their family. Provide social support and
goal setting, health behavior change and advocate for individuals and community health needs. Community outreach,
health screenings, home visits and health fairs and School base health centers

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
The following are attributes that make this position unique:

1) The Certified Community Health Worker supports the clinical team (Medical/ Behavioral/Dental) and the Health Programs department through an integrated approach to health care management and community outreach
2) Provides social support and goal setting, health behavior change, advocacy and other community health needs, such as community outreach, home visits and health screenings as required.
3) Has access to personal data regarding patients and their families, which requires maintaining a high level of confidentiality of information (i.e., HIPAA and other personal and confidential information. The employee has no significant financial responsibility).
4) Facilitates home visits for extended health education as required and approved.
5) Supports the clinical team through conducting basic clinical tasks.

DUTIES & RESPONSBILITIES (minimum requirements):
General Requirements:
1) Perform all duties consistent with Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) and Meaningful Use (MU) Team guidelines, assignment and training; evidence based guidelines in clinical practice and population management activities utilizing certified Electronic Health Records (HER) systems.
2) Increases program visibility by performing outreach in the community, participating in community education initiatives, and providing collaboration and referrals with community providers.
3) Cross Training and Utilization, as it applies to the employee's job description and ECFH Code of Ethics Policy.
4) Perform other related assigned duties and responsibilities, in accordance with the employee's job description and ECFH Code of Ethics Policy.
5) Work Schedule – Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., occasional overtime and weekends.
6) Ability to maintain high level of confidentiality.
7) Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
8) Intermediate knowledge/expertise with PC hardware and software (Word and Excel).
9) Maintain and updates skills by continuing education and seminars related to job responsibilities (30 CEUs every
2 years) (Continuing education credit/money will be used for trainings).
10) Knowledgeable about community resources appropriate to the needs of patients and their families.
11) Maintain valid driver's license and clearance for unrestricted automobile insurance coverage pursuant to NM State law.
12) Ability to drive to ECFH outlying locations as per work assignment.
13) Maintain Community Health Worker Certification as required for position. (Education allowance available).
14) Demonstrates ability to work well in a team environment.

Administrative Requirements:
1) Responsible for maintaining communication with the Health Programs Manager and Director in order to ensure that appropriate services are being provided to the patients and their families; and for ensuring that the best quality of services and care are maintained and documented.
2) Advocates for improved health resources, policies and makers to improve public health.
3) Attend regular staff meetings, trainings and other community meetings or health fairs in order to understand
4) Maintains client confidence and protects operations by keeping information confidential in compliance to HIPAA and other personal and confidential information.
5) Perform other related assigned duties and responsibilities, in accordance to the employee's job description and ECFH Code of Ethics Policy
6) Responsible for establishing trusting relationships with patients and their families while providing general support and encouragement.
7) Provide referrals for other needed services to community agencies as appropriate.
8) Assists patients connect with transportation resources and give appointment reminders in special circumstances. Transporting patients is strictly prohibited.
9) Act as a patient advocate and liaison between the patient/family and community service agencies (i.e. schools, Department Human Services, hospitals, support groups, etc.).
10) Documents patient care management information in the Electronic Health Record (training provided) and other software no later than 24 hours after patient contact.
11) Provides information, training and support to patients, clients, and families by performing outreach to the community, receiving client referrals, conducting or assisting in educational efforts, and responding to requests for support and guidance.
12) Exhibit excellent working relations with patients, visitors and staff, effectively communicating ECFH's mission.
13) Work closely with medical providers and other clinical personnel to ensure that patients have comprehensive and coordinated care. To this regard, follow-up services to patients should be continuous from initial identification
through closure

Clinical Requirements:
1) Ensures quality patient care by acknowledging, adhering to and implementing overall organizational and medical policies and procedures of El Centro Family Health.
2) Obtains required information by interviewing patients, family members, and others; completing applications; confirming information for accuracy; and gathering documents such as forms, regulations and guidelines, and other materials.
3) Assists individuals and families in achieving and maintaining wellness by being available to assist clients with behavior change counseling, training in the use of medication and treatment supplies, physical activity, and chronic physical and mental health management.
4) Facilitates 1:1, small group, and large public presentations designed to assist individuals, families, and communities with health education and health behavior change.
5) Conduct Behavioral health intake interviews with patients, including enrolling and/or referring patients into various community-based programs available to them.
6) Provides follow-up services to patients and their families via phone calls, home-visits and visits to other community-based settings assessable to patients.
7) Assist patients with completing applications and registration forms.
8) Facilitates home visits for extended health education as approved.
9) May Interpret, translate, or provide cultural mediation related to health services or information for community members.
10) Provides cultural mediation related to health services or information for community members
11) Prepares patient for the physician encounter by recording vital statistics, symptoms and other patient information required.
12) Assist in the performance of clinical tasks by helping medical providers with patients, giving selected medical instructions to patients and/or members of the family on general health care and sanitation.
13) Assist in the preparation of paperwork by preparing charts, patient histories, laboratory referral forms etc.
14) Assist patient by answering medical/behavioral/ dental questions over the telephone of patients who call in to the clinic, referring the questions to a licensed nurse or a provider.
15) Assists to laboratory policies and procedures by working within acceptable laboratory standers of practices with in performing on site. Identifying patient and specimens, performing specimen collection, labeling, preparation handling and processing of Rapid Urine Drug Test, FIT cards and finger sticks while using universal safety measures.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
1) Knowledge of the communities and cultures of northern New Mexico.
2) Experience working in a multi-cultural setting.
3) Good communication skills, such as active listening, giving feedback and using appropriate language.
4) Ability to obtain the necessary knowledge needed for provision of services to ECFH clients and patients.
5) Ability to perform their duties and responsibilities with dignity, calmness, accuracy, confidentiality and in a timely manner when providing services to patients.
6) Ability to initiate and maintain positive working relationships with ECFH staff and other organizations.
7) Ability to receive and incorporate supervisory feedback that reflects and reinforces a positive image of ECFH.
8) Ability to clearly explain procedures and processes, both orally and in written form in the performance of their duties.
9) Ability to understand and evaluate theoretical concepts and translate them into goals and objectives that are consistent with the organization's mission.
10) Ability to communicate effectively; and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement and motivation to patients.
11) Intermediate computer skills (Outlook, Word, Excel, Internet, EMR).
12) Ability to test basic administration duties with work forces solutions
13) Ability to understand and communicate medical terminology.
14) Ability to perform basic medical assistances competencies i.e. blood pressure, weight, height, O2 reading, respiratory reading and interpreting of clinical documentation.
15) Maintain valid driver's license and clearance for unrestricted automobile insurance coverage pursuant to NM State law.
16) Ability to drive to ECFH outlying locations as per work assignment.

PHYSICAL & OTHER DEMANDS OF THE POSITION

Physical Demands:

• Balancing, bending, lifting, carrying, climbing and pulling up to 20 lbs.
  
• Sitting and standing for extended periods of time of longer than four hours or more.
  
• Working flexible schedule (i.e., flexible, evenings, weekends or as needed.)
  
• Hands & fingers (feeling & dexterity)
  
• Hearing
  
• Vision
  
• Stooping, crouching, crawling, kneeling
  
• Talking
  
• Walking
  

Exposures:

• Odors, fumes, toxicants, explosive materials and chemicals
  
• Muscular and muscular strain
  
• Airborne Pathogens
  
• Blood borne Pathogens-Category I
  
• Chemicals
• Vision and hearing strain
• Noise
• Electrical current; machine vibration; moving parts
• Temperature

Benefits

• 401 k Retirement
• 7 Paid Holidays
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• 100% Employer Paid Basic Life Insurance
• Employee Voluntary Supplemental Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience: Minimum one year of clinical experience.
• Certifications: Community Health Worker Certification
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or Basic Life Support (BLS) (must be obtained within 3 months of hire).