Bilingual Community Health Worker

Mednorth Health Center•Wilmington, NC

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Community Health Worker serves as a liaison between patients, care teams, and the community, focusing on ensuring access to behavioral health and substance use services. This role helps bridge conversations with patients and removes barriers to accessing health and social services. The position involves meeting patients in various settings (clinic, facility, home) to identify social determinants of health, collaborating with care teams to develop action plans, and building trusting relationships with patients through support and advocacy. The role also assists patients in accessing health-related services and community resources, facilitates communication among all parties, and documents interactions in the medical record. A key aspect is maintaining a resource file of social service agencies. Physical attendance is essential. The role also involves specific tasks related to the Healthy Opportunities Pilot, including learning and utilizing the NCCARE360/UniteUs program, completing referral requests, and attending required trainings.

Requirements

High School diploma or GED equivalent from an accredited institution.
Proficiency with computers, electronic documentation, and willingness to learn new systems.
2 years of experience in a healthcare, community-based, or social work environment; or any combination of education and experience, which would provide an equivalent background.
Demonstrated understanding of and is part of the community being served.
Ability to read, write, and speak the native language of the population served.
Information Technology skills: Ability to use Laptops, Smartphones, Internet/online application systems, Microsoft Office, etc.
Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team and work effectively with community agencies.
Must have valid drivers license and reliable insured transportation as travel is required.
Ability to communicate easily with others, including demonstrating active listening skills.
Demonstrates group facilitation skills.
Demonstrates flexibility in addressing changing community needs and program environment.
Has knowledge of the basic workings of the health center.

Nice To Haves

Certified Community Health Worker preferred.
Experience in community work, education, health care, or related field preferred.
Bilingual-English/Spanish preferred.
Demonstrated knowledge of navigating health insurance marketplace and/or other insurance and payment options for low income or indigent patients.
Must possess knowledge of a broad range of social service and assistance providers in community.

Responsibilities

Meeting the patient in clinic, facility or at home to help identify social determinants of health impacting patients health and general well-being.
Collaborates with care team members to develop a care/action plan.
Develops trusting relationship with patients by providing support and advocacy to help achieve health goals.
Assists patients in accessing health-related services and community resources, such as accompaniment to specialist appointments and assistance with enrollment forms.
Facilitates communication between all parties (patients, families, colleagues, and community-based organizations) as needed.
Documents interactions with patients and on behalf of patients in medical record.
Attends meetings as required.
Maintain a resource file of available social service agencies and assistance providers in community for use in referring patient in future.
Complete referral requests for service requests within the NCCARE360 program in a timely manner as outlined by the service agreement.
Attend all required trainings related to use of the NCCARE360 program.
Attend all required trainings related to the Healthy Opportunities program in Salesforce and UNCW portal.
Complete the CHW Integration & Optimization tool in conjunction with Southeast Area Health Education Center.
Create connections between vulnerable populations and healthcare providers.
Help patients navigate healthcare and social service systems.
Manage care and care transitions for vulnerable populations.
Ensure cultural competence among healthcare providers serving vulnerable populations.
Educate healthcare providers and stakeholders about community health needs.
Provide culturally appropriate health education on topics related to chronic disease prevention, physical activity, and nutrition.
Advocate for underserved individuals or communities to receive services and resources to address health needs.
Collect data and relay information to stakeholders to inform programs and policies.
Provide informal counseling, health screenings, and referrals while maintaining confidentiality.
Has knowledge of the basic workings of the health center.
Demonstrates good customer service and acts in a professional manner.