Community Health Coach - Full Time - Days

Nebraska Methodist Hospital•Council Bluffs, IA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Health Coach promotes health among the communities and populations served by Nebraska Methodist Health System. This non-clinical role acts as a liaison between communities and healthcare organizations, helping patients access guidance and social assistance. Working as part of a care team, the coach screens for social determinants of health and addresses barriers to care, advocates for individual and community health, and helps improve communication between patients and providers. The role is based at Methodist Jennie Edmundson in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and is scheduled Monday through Friday, with occasional nights and weekends possible.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Completion of the Community Health Worker online program and onsite training.
Valid driver's license and personal transportation at the time of hire and throughout employment.
Knowledge of basic health, social determinants, safety, and emergency preparedness.
Knowledge of community benefit organizations.
Ability to screen for and make referrals addressing social determinants of health, including housing, transportation, and food insecurity.
Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills.
Flexibility and adaptability in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to respond agilely to individual, team, and community needs.
Ability to support vulnerable patients of all ages, typically from underserved, low-income communities in urban, suburban, and rural areas.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in social work.
Two years of experience in community health, customer experience, patient advocacy, or payor work.
American Heart Association or American Red Cross Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.

Responsibilities

Work as part of the Patient-Centered Medical Home team to improve the well-being of patient populations.
Establish trust and rapport with patients in culturally and linguistically appropriate ways.
Screen for social determinants of health and barriers to achieving health outcomes, such as transportation, housing, and food insecurity.
Address social determinants of health by connecting patients with community benefit organizations, internal resources, or other care-team members.
Document patient interactions and social determinants of health or barriers to care to improve care coordination and patient outcomes.
Educate and encourage patients to seek and accept available resources.
Educate and encourage patients to connect with and trust the healthcare team.
Build strong relationships with commonly referred community benefit organizations.
Serve as a trusted community member by participating in community events, coalitions, or health fairs.
Help the care team better understand the cultural norms and beliefs of community members to increase cultural competence.
Establish relationships and serve as a trusted resource for network providers and clinic personnel to advance value-based care.
Support a culture that maximizes the acceptance of change.