AmeriCorps Community Health Navigator

AccessHealth • Richmond, TX

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Community Health Navigator (CHN) is a frontline public health worker who reduces barriers to primary, preventive, and supportive healthcare by connecting patients and community members with healthcare services, social supports, and community resources. The CHN uses health navigation platforms, community resource networks, health literacy support, and community engagement activities. The role supports people in addressing social determinants of health, navigating healthcare systems, accessing resources, understanding healthcare information, using digital healthcare tools, and engaging with programs that improve health outcomes and well-being.

The CHN serves as a liaison among AccessHealth clinics, patients, community organizations, and health and social services. Depending on project requirements, the position may be hybrid. Volunteers must provide their own transportation to and from AccessHealth clinics and community locations as needed. Training will be provided.

This is an AmeriCorps volunteer position 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 toward at least 900 service hours by August 15, 2027. Volunteers may instead commit to 40 hours per week for 26 weeks to complete the minimum service requirement. In the event of a disaster declaration, volunteers may be asked or required to support disaster response and recovery, potentially outside standard service hours or their normal service area. Volunteers may also be required to participate in National Days of Service, including MLK Day of Service, 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance, and AmeriCorps Week.

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, confidentiality, and accurate documentation.
• Commitment to 20 hours per week and a minimum of 900 service hours by August 15, 2027; alternatively, volunteers may commit to 40 hours per week for 26 weeks to complete the minimum requirement.
• Ability to provide personal 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 internal and external referrals to determine appropriate 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.
• Assist assigned populations with accessing resources such as food, housing, healthcare, transportation, and health information.
• Follow up with assigned patient groups to support 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 support to patients who need help understanding healthcare instructions, appointment processes, follow-up recommendations, or 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 patient portals and other digital resource tools, schedule appointments online, review reminders, complete electronic forms, and access virtual healthcare platforms when appropriate.
• Assist with appointment logistics, including scheduling and coordinating transportation 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 during visits as appropriate.
• Provide compassionate support to patients who feel overwhelmed, confused, anxious, or unfamiliar with healthcare processes, and follow up as needed.
• Help ensure patients understand their next steps before leaving appointments and maintain organized documentation of support and navigation activities.
• 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 wellness initiatives.
• Assist in developing and strengthening partnerships that support health education, prevention, resource navigation, and community-based interventions.
• Collaborate 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 participation in public health initiatives.
• Assist with recruiting volunteers, partners, and participants for health fairs, outreach events, educational programs, walking groups, food distribution events, and other public health 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, communication, confirmations, setup coordination, and day-of support.
• May present to community organizations, schools, or stakeholder groups about AccessHealth services and public health programs.
• Maintain records of communications, outreach activities, volunteer participation, and partnership statuses.
• Assist with drafting outreach emails, flyers, event blurbs, and community engagement materials.
• May provide translation and interpretation services as appropriate.
• Wear the AmeriCorps logo daily while representing AccessHealth’s AmeriCorps Program.
• Complete the required AmeriCorps service commitment and participate in applicable disaster response, recovery, and National Days of Service activities.

What This Job Offers

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