OB Behavorial Health Community Health Worker

NeighborHealth Behavioral Health Community Health Worker

NeighborHealth is seeking a Behavioral Health Community Health Worker (CHW) to support pregnant and postpartum patients who screen positive for perinatal depression or social isolation. This role is part of a perinatal behavioral health initiative focused on closing the gap between screening and engagement in Behavioral Health services. The CHW will provide timely, culturally responsive outreach, brief emotional support, and facilitation of connection to Behavioral Health care. The CHW will also support the development, refinement, and use of a multilingual, low-literacy patient toolkit designed to support emotional health and improve engagement in Behavioral Health care.

Department: OB/GYN Department Status: Full-time, 40 hours per week, ONE YEAR Position (Grant-Funded) FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt Work Arrangement: Three Days On-Site (One day must be Thursday), Two Days Remote or 8A–5P Mon–Fri Travel: None Reports To: Director of Women's Health Initiatives

About the Role

NeighborHealth is seeking a Behavioral Health Community Health Worker (CHW) to support pregnant and postpartum patients who screen positive for perinatal depression or social isolation.

This role is part of a perinatal behavioral health initiative focused on closing the gap between screening and engagement in Behavioral Health services. The CHW will provide timely, culturally responsive outreach, brief emotional support, and facilitation of connection to Behavioral Health care. The CHW will also support the development, refinement, and use of a multilingual, low-literacy patient toolkit designed to support emotional health and improve engagement in Behavioral Health care.

Who We Are

NeighborHealth, formerly East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, is one of the nation's largest Federally Qualified Health Centers and the largest community-based primary care health system in Massachusetts, serving more than 120,000 people. We operate the fourth busiest Emergency Department in the state, the first and only behavioral health urgent care co-located with an ED and are recognized by the Health Resources and Services Administration as a National Quality Leader.

Since 1970, NeighborHealth has delivered high-quality, compassionate, and culturally responsive care that is open to all. We believe care is better in community. Through services spanning pediatrics, emergency care, behavioral health, and care for older adults, we support the whole person across their lifespan.

We do not just serve our community; we belong to it.

Why You Should Join Us

At NeighborHealth, you will be part of a mission-driven organization where your work directly improves lives.

When you join our team, you'll be part of:

• A values-driven culture focused on compassion, diversity, innovation, respect, and teamwork.
• Opportunities for growth, learning, and career development
• A collaborative environment where innovation and teamwork are encouraged
• A strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging Learn more about our organization on our website.

What You'll Do

The Behavioral Health CHW works closely with OB providers and Behavioral Health teams to ensure patients with positive depression or social isolation screens receive timely follow-up and connection to care. This position is ideal for a mission-driven individual passionate about advancing maternal health equity and improving access to behavioral health services for underserved populations.

The successful candidate will be able to perform the following responsibilities:

• Patient Outreach & Engagement
• Conduct outreach to pregnant and postpartum patients with positive depression (EPDS) or social isolation screenings
• Initiate contact within established program timelines (e.g., within 7 days of identification)
• Perform multiple outreach attempts and maintain follow-up as appropriate
• Build trusting relationships through culturally responsive and trauma-informed communication
• Emotional Support & Patient Education
• Provide brief, non-clinical emotional support to patients experiencing perinatal depression or social isolation
• Normalize perinatal emotional health experiences and reduce stigma
• Deliver low-literacy, culturally appropriate education using program materials and toolkits
• Use the Calm & Connected Toolkit to guide patient conversations and reinforce coping strategies
• Adapt toolkit content to meet patient language, literacy, and cultural need
• Reinforce simple coping strategies that can be used at home
• Toolkit Development & Implementation
• Support the development and refinement of the Calm & Connected Toolkit, including patient-facing materials and outreach tools
• Provide feedback based on patient interactions to improve clarity, cultural relevance, and usability
• Assist in testing and piloting toolkit materials with patients across language groups
• Support translation and adaptation of materials into multiple languages
• Ensure consistent use of toolkit materials during outreach and follow-up interactions
• Behavioral Health Referral Facilitation
• Facilitate warm handoffs to Behavioral Health services
• Support patients in understanding Behavioral Health services and what to expect
• Identify and help address barriers to attending Behavioral Health appointments
• Conduct follow-up outreach to support successful connection to Behavioral Health care
• Program Support & Collaboration
• Participate in team meetings, including high-risk OB rounds and care coordination discussions
• Communicate patient barriers and engagement challenges to OB and Behavioral Health teams
• Provide feedback on outreach workflows and patient engagement strategies
• Collaborate with clinical and program leadership on development and implementation of patient education tools and outreach materials
• Documentation & Data Tracking
• Document all patient outreach, interactions, and outcomes accurately in EPIC
• Track outreach attempts, successful contacts, and Behavioral Health connection outcomes
• Support data collection for program evaluation, reporting, and quality improvement
• Maintain accurate, standardized documentation to support program goals
• Other Duties:

Please note, this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

What You'll Bring

• High school diploma required; associate or bachelor's degree in a related field preferred
• Community Health Worker (CHW) certification or equivalent experience preferred
• Minimum of 1–2 years of experience in community health, outreach, behavioral health support, or related field
• Experience working with underserved, immigrant, or diverse populations
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism
• Strong organizational and follow-up skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Spanish fluency strongly preferred; ability to communicate with a predominantly Spanish-speaking population

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with perinatal populations or women's health
• Experience in behavioral health or mental health outreach
• Familiarity with EPIC or other electronic medical records
• Experience using outreach tools such as phone, text, or community-based engagement
• Experience developing or using patient education materials, toolkits, or culturally tailored health education resources

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• This position operates in a professional office and clinic environment.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and use hands to operate a computer and other office equipment.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods while performing administrative and computer-based tasks.
• Occasionally required to lift or move items weighing up to 20 pounds (such as files, office supplies, or small equipment).
• Must have adequate visual acuity, hearing, and manual dexterity to perform essential job functions.
• May occasionally move between clinic and administrative areas and be exposed to a typical clinical setting.