AmeriCorps Community Health Navigator

AccessHealth • Stafford, TX

7d

About The Position

The Community Health Navigator (CHN) is a frontline public health worker who helps reduce barriers to primary, preventive, and supportive healthcare. The CHN connects patients and community members with healthcare services, social supports, and community resources through health navigation platforms, community networks, health literacy support, and community engagement. The role serves as a liaison among AccessHealth clinics, patients, community organizations, and health and social services, and supports people in addressing social determinants of health, navigating healthcare systems, using digital healthcare tools, and participating in programs that improve health and well-being.

The position includes healthcare navigation and referrals, patient support and health literacy assistance, digital navigation, appointment coordination, documentation, community outreach, partnership development, volunteer engagement, and public health programming. The role may be hybrid depending on project requirements. Volunteers provide their own transportation to and from AccessHealth clinics and community locations as needed. Translation and interpretation may also be undertaken as appropriate.

This is an AmeriCorps volunteer role funded by the OneStar Foundation. Volunteers represent AccessHealth's AmeriCorps Program by wearing the AmeriCorps logo daily and must commit to 20 hours per week for the minimum 900 hours by August 15, 2027. Alternatively, volunteers may commit to 40 hours per week for 26 weeks to complete the minimum 900-hour requirement. Volunteers may be asked or required to participate in disaster response and recovery service and National Days of Service activities, which may take place outside normal service hours or outside the usual service area.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Compassionate, patient-centered communication style.
• Ability to explain information clearly and effectively.
• Basic technology and computer navigation skills.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to maintain professionalism and confidentiality and produce accurate documentation.
• Commit to 20 hours per week for at least 900 hours by August 15, 2027, or alternatively 40 hours per week for 26 weeks to complete the minimum 900-hour requirement.
• Wear the AmeriCorps logo daily while representing AccessHealth's AmeriCorps Program.
• Provide own transportation to and from AccessHealth clinics and community locations as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Interest in public health, healthcare access, community health, health equity, or social services.
• Familiarity with healthcare systems, community resources, or social service programs.
• Experience working with diverse populations and community organizations.
• Familiarity with the culture and community dynamics of Fort Bend County, Waller County, or the Greater Houston Area.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills.
• Experience in healthcare navigation, community outreach, customer service, education, public health, social services, or volunteer engagement.
• Experience assisting individuals with online portals, applications, or digital resource tools.
• Experience conducting outreach, presentations, or community engagement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Screen internal and external referrals to identify suitable programs for patients.
• Review patients’ social determinants of health needs and use a Health Navigation Platform to find resources.
• Research community needs and develop plans of action.
• Help assigned populations access food, housing, quality healthcare, transportation, and health information.
• Follow up with patients to confirm access to care and connection with resources.
• Connect clients with appropriate resources and referrals to outside agencies.
• Support partner organizations in providing resources to AccessHealth patients and serve as a liaison between clinics and community organizations.
• Help patients create accounts for partner services and assist with data management and analytics.
• Provide one-on-one support to help patients understand healthcare instructions, appointment processes, follow-up recommendations, and paperwork, without providing medical advice or clinical education.
• Assist patients with patient portals, online scheduling, appointment reminders, electronic forms, and virtual healthcare platforms.
• Coordinate appointment logistics, including scheduling assistance and transportation coordination through insurance or community resources.
• Help patients organize appointment information, reminders, paperwork, and follow-up instructions.
• Help patients navigate clinic locations, check-in processes, departments, and services, and provide support through clinic visits as appropriate.
• Provide compassionate support to patients who feel overwhelmed or unfamiliar with healthcare processes, and follow up as needed to help them understand next steps.
• Maintain organized documentation of patient support and navigation activities.
• Collaborate with CHWs, front desk staff, providers, and care coordination teams to support patient engagement.
• Identify and research potential community partners, organizations, schools, faith-based groups, and stakeholders aligned with public health and wellness initiatives.
• Assist in developing partnerships supporting health education, prevention programs, resource navigation, and community interventions.
• Coordinate outreach with the Health Navigator Coordinator and Population Health team to align with organizational and community priorities.
• Recommend strategies to strengthen community engagement and increase participation in public health initiatives.
• Recruit volunteers, partners, and participants for health fairs, outreach events, educational programs, walking groups, food distribution events, and other initiatives.
• Engage community members in programs addressing health equity, chronic disease prevention, food insecurity, healthcare access, and other social determinants of health.
• Support planning and coordination of community health events, outreach, presentations, and public health campaigns, including scheduling, communications, confirmations, setup, and day-of support.
• Present information about AccessHealth services and public health programs to community organizations, schools, or stakeholder groups as needed.
• Maintain records of communications, outreach activities, volunteer participation, and partnership status.
• Draft outreach emails, flyers, event blurbs, and community engagement materials.
• Provide translation and interpretation services as appropriate.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED