Community Health Worker

Full Job Description
The Community Health Worker (CHW) is responsible for helping patients and their families to navigate and access community services, other resources, and adopt healthy behaviors. The CHW supports providers and the Case Managers through an integrated approach to care management and community outreach. As a priority, activities will promote, maintain, and improve the health of patients and their family. CHW provides social support and informal counseling, advocates for individuals and community health needs.
Expectation within 6 months The CHW will also become a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and completes trainings. Counsel’s pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers by telephone, teleconference, and in the WIC clinic at scheduled intervals. Receives a caseload of WIC participants and makes contact with the participants based on LA’s contact schedule. Expected to have had experience with breastfeeding and is enthusiastic to help other mothers with their experience.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Responsible for establishing trusting relationships with patients and their families while providing general support and encouragement.
 • Provide ongoing follow-up, basic motivational interviewing and goal setting with patients/families.
 • Follow – up with patients via phone calls or visits to other settings where patients can be found.
 • Help patients set personal health related goals and attend appointments.
 • Provide referrals for services to community agencies as appropriate.
• Help patients connect with transportation resources and provide appointment reminders in special circumstances.
 • Exhibit excellent working relations with patients, visitors and staff,
• Work collaboratively with other clinical personnel assigned to the same patient.
 • Knowledgeable about community resources appropriate to needs of patients/families.
• Responsible for providing consistent communication to the Case Manager to evaluate patient/family status, ensuring that provided information, and reports clearly describe progress.
• Act as a patient advocate and liaison between the patient/family and community service agencies.
 • Record patient care management information no later than 24 hours after patient contact.
• Attend regular staff meetings, trainings and other meetings, as requested.
 • Manage assigned caseload of patients.
 • Maintain HIPPA compliance at all times.
Compentencies
• Good organizational skills to handle multiple priorities while remaining professional and calm.
 • Ability to work with many diverse people, including children and teenagers.
• Effective telephone skills.
• Strong level of confidentiality due to the sensitivity of materials and information handled.
• Ability to work independently and be self-directed and flexible.
• Ability to prioritize.
 • Ability to perform functions with minimal supervision.
 • Ability to work at a high-volume level of accuracy
 
Requires: High school graduate or equivalent. Successful completion of a Community Health Worker formal training program such as from a college or other education institution. CPR/AED Certification, and a valid driver’s license. Computer proficiency essential. Requires ability to speak effectively and respond to questions using tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established guidelines. One to three years’ experience in a community-based setting.

Physical Demands: Ability to stand, walk, sit, use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, talk, hear, and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Also required to perform operations of a clinic, including standing and sitting, answering phone calls.
 
Typical Working Conditions: Normal office, clinical environment, and community-based work.
 
Special Note: All employees of the Phelps/Maries County Health Department are considered First Responders in the Event of a Disaster Response Situation. All employees must report for duty upon request of the Director or designee during a public health emergency.
 
Job Type: Full-Time
Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Evenings as needed
• Weekends as needed