AmeriCorps Community Health Navigator

AccessHealth • Brookshire, 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. Navigators help people address social determinants of health, navigate healthcare systems, access resources, understand healthcare information, use digital healthcare tools, and engage with programs that support health and well-being.

The role also includes patient support, digital navigation, outreach, volunteer engagement, and public health programming. Depending on project requirements, the position may serve in a hybrid capacity. Volunteers must provide their own transportation to and from AccessHealth clinics and community locations as needed. Training will be provided. This AmeriCorps volunteer position requires a commitment of 20 hours per week toward a minimum of 900 hours by August 15, 2027; volunteers may instead commit to 40 hours per week for 26 weeks to complete the minimum requirement. Volunteers may be asked or required to support disaster response and recovery activities, including service outside standard hours or outside their normal service area, and may be required to participate in National Days of Service.

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 keep accurate documentation.
• Commitment to 20 hours per week toward at least 900 service hours by August 15, 2027, or alternatively 40 hours per week for 26 weeks to complete the minimum 900-hour requirement.
• Provide own transportation to and from AccessHealth clinics and community locations as needed.
• Wear the AmeriCorps logo daily while representing the program.

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 activities, presentations, or community engagement initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Screen referrals from external entities and internally through the Health Navigation Platform to determine suitable programs for patients.
• Review patients’ social determinants of health needs and use the Health Navigation Platform to identify resources.
• Research community needs and develop plans of action.
• Help assigned populations access resources such as food, housing, quality healthcare, transportation, and health information.
• Follow up with assigned patients to confirm access to care and successful connections to resources.
• Connect clients with appropriate resources and referrals to outside agencies.
• Support partner organizations providing resources to AccessHealth patients and serve as a liaison between clinics and community organizations.
• Help patients create accounts for partner services.
• Assist with data management and analytics.
• Provide one-on-one help understanding healthcare instructions, appointment processes, follow-up recommendations, and healthcare paperwork.
• Reinforce information provided by clinical staff in clear, patient-friendly language without providing medical advice or clinical education.
• Support patients facing health literacy, technology access, cognitive, mobility, or healthcare-navigation barriers.
• Help patients set up and use online patient portals and digital resource tools, schedule appointments online, review reminders, complete electronic forms, and access virtual healthcare platforms when appropriate.
• Help coordinate appointment logistics, including scheduling assistance and transportation through insurance or community transportation resources.
• Help patients organize appointment information, reminders, paperwork, and follow-up instructions.
• Help patients navigate clinic locations, departments, check-in, and other clinic processes, as appropriate.
• Provide compassionate support during clinic visits and follow up as needed; help patients understand next steps before leaving appointments.
• Document patient support and navigation activities in an organized manner.
• Collaborate with community health workers, front desk staff, providers, and care coordination teams to support continuity of patient engagement.
• Identify and research potential community partners, organizations, schools, faith-based groups, and stakeholders aligned with public health and community wellness initiatives.
• Help develop and strengthen partnerships supporting health education, prevention programs, resource navigation, and community interventions.
• Coordinate with the Health Navigator Coordinator and Population Health team to align outreach with organizational and community health priorities.
• Recommend strategies to strengthen community engagement and increase participation in public health initiatives.
• Help recruit volunteers, partners, and community 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 activities, presentations, and public health campaigns.
• Assist with event logistics, including scheduling, communications, confirmations, setup coordination, and day-of support.
• Present information about AccessHealth services and public health programs to community organizations, schools, or stakeholder groups, as needed.
• Maintain organized 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, as an optional activity.
• Wear the AmeriCorps logo daily while representing AccessHealth’s AmeriCorps Program.
• Participate in disaster response and recovery or National Days of Service activities when requested or required by the program or OneStar.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED