Behavioral Health Community Health Worker

KHS•Bakersfield, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Health Worker (CHWs) will primarily be working out in the community with specific target populations, and collaborates with behavioral health providers, primary care teams, and other agencies. The CHW provides short term care coordination and connection to resources to improve the patient's health and general well-being through education and provision of coordination of care and services. The CHW works in both clinical and community-based settings, including patients' homes. The CHW assists with a variety of concerns impacting patients, including but not limited to, the control and prevention of chronic conditions, behavioral health conditions, and need for preventive services. A CHW in Behavioral Health must have personal lived experience with behavioral health and/or recovery challenges themselves and/or they may be the caregivers/family members of individual(s) with behavioral health and recovery challenges that supports a connection between the CHW, and the population being served. Lived experience may also include shared race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, language, or cultural background with one or more linguistic, cultural, or other groups in the community for which the CHW is providing services. A CHW is familiar with and/or has experience in the geographic communities he/she is serving.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED
An individual who has at least 2,000 hours working as a CHW in paid or volunteer positions within the previous three years and has demonstrated skills and practical training in the areas described above. To obtain the CHW certification, individual will need to be enrolled in a CHW certificate course within 18 months from date of hire.
A CHW who does have a certificate of completion must earn a certificate of completion, as described above within eighteen months from the hire date.
One (1) or more years of recent experience in community/outpatient setting in the medical or behavioral health care field with knowledge of and experience navigating medical, social, and/or behavioral health systems preferred.
Current BLS/CPR certification required.
TB Test required
Influenza (Vaccination) or Declination
Possess good communication skills, such as active listening, and using language appropriately.
Understand the community services, community connectedness.
Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement, and motivation to clients.
Effectively communicate the workings of the behavioral health services to clients, families, and caregivers.
Ability to read, comprehend medical information, and obtain and complete routine forms
Experience working in multicultural setting
Basic computer skills required; electronic medical record (EMR) experience preferred.
Basic skills in Microsoft office including word, excel, outlook and One Note.

Nice To Haves

Preferred Bilingual English/Spanish with certificate of linguistic proficiency (Tier I)

Responsibilities

Assisting members in a community-based setting for linkage to preventative services for behavioral health conditions.
Outreaches to unengaged members, to assist with overcoming barriers to obtaining needed behavioral health care and social services and attending appointments.
Review and process referrals and exploring alternative avenues of contacting the member to reduce barriers to services.
Reviewing member's chart to assess for gaps in care, chronic conditions, infectious diseases, behavioral health conditions to control and prevent conditions from worsening, potential barriers, and risk factors.
Assist members in accessing health and behavioral health related services, including but not limited to obtaining linkage and overcoming barriers to non-specialty mental health services, specialty mental health services, and medical care and/or social services.
Complete preventative screening tools for adults and youth members.
Work Collaboratively with internal departments, community agencies, and support systems to support the member in receiving appropriate services.
Follow-up with clients via phone calls, home visits, and visits to other settings where clients can be found, which may include homelessness.
Utilize motivational interviewing techniques in all client contacts to increase engagement and follow through of services.
Ensure and practice the compliance of confidentiality and HIPPA laws for members.
Document all member interactions and attempts/contact made on behalf of the member. Maintain a comprehensive electronic record, which include member notes.
Participate in regular staff meetings, trainings, and other meetings, as requested.
Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
Adheres to all company policies and procedures relative to employment and job responsibilities.
Adheres to KHS’s Code of Ethics and Business Conduct and all company policies, e.g., confidentiality, attendance, safety/security, use of equipment and technology, appearance, and demeanor.
Performs other job-related duties as assigned.