Community Health Worker - Behavioral Health

Winnebago Comprehensive Healthcare System•Winnebago, NE

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The purpose of this position is to provide culturally responsive outreach, education, care coordination, and support services for community members needing mental health wellbeing support. The Community Health Worker will serve as a bridge between community members, healthcare providers, and community resources to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED is required.
Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to meet driver eligibility guidelines.
Must be in good physical and mental health and pass a complete physical exam prior to employment (to include PPD).
Must have basic knowledge of MS Office computer software.
Must possess the ability to maintain accurate written daily, weekly, and monthly reports.
Must perform all duties in a manner that ensures the strictest confidentiality due to access to sensitive information.
Must have and maintain CPR/BLS certification or obtain within 6 months of hiring.
Public Health Core Competencies for this Position: Public Health Sciences, Analysis and Assessment, Leadership and Systems Thinking, Communication and Cultural Competency, Financial Planning and Management
Must attend all department meetings, trainings, and certification courses as required by position and CHW Coordinator.
Normal to heavy work which includes the ability to lift up to 75 lbs.
Regularly required to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods of time and use hands to operate computer keyboard, phone, various office equipment, and GSA vehicles.
While performing daily duties, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.
Reading, writing, calculating
Above average social interaction skills
Reasoning/Analysis
Works with minimal to no supervision
Must possess the ability to read, write, and speak the English language fluently.
Must be able to continually and effectively employ professional verbal and written communications skills.
All applicants will comply with 45 CFR 1301, Subpart D, Section 1301.31, C and D, which require all prospective employees to sign a declaration prior to employment regarding all arrests and convictions of child abuse or violent felonies and to comply with PL 101-630 and PL 101-637 regarding criminal records check.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate the Public Health Department's core mission, vision and values
Home visit assigned clients as scheduled by BH Director.
Assist with medication needs and translation.
Provide transportation to and from Twelve Clans Unity Hospital and WPHD Programs.
Provide supervised home health care for assigned clients, and will include: Blood pressure/blood glucose monitoring.
Provide medication education.
Educate on healthy lifestyle habits.
Refer to resources as necessary for any Indigenous Social Determinants of Health
Maintain records and reports as necessary to supervisor.
Follow-up on at-risk community members.
Notify patients of scheduled doctor appointments.
Follow-up from internal staff and referred provider appointments.
Assist with infections disease screenings.
Attend all in-service and classes that are health related when possible.
Attend mandatory training.
Prepare monthly reports and submit to supervisor.
Complete patient charting in a timely manner.
Responsible for maintaining GSA vehicles at all times.
Conduct home visits and community outreach with individuals and families experiencing behavioral health concerns, substance use disorders, emotional distress, or other mental health challenges.
Assist clients with behavioral health medication management activities, including medication reminders, medication education, identifying barriers to medication adherence, and reporting concerns to the Behavioral Health team.
Conduct follow-up visits and phone calls with clients following discharge from emergency departments, psychiatric facilities, crisis stabilization units, detoxification programs, residential treatment programs, and inpatient hospitalizations.
Assist with coordination of aftercare services and support continuity of care following behavioral health crises or treatment episodes.
Conduct wellness check-ins with clients and their identified relatives, caregivers, and support systems to promote recovery, stability, and connection to services.
Assist clients with scheduling, attending, and following up on behavioral health, primary care, and recovery care appointments.
Provide transportation support to behavioral health appointments and other approved services.
Reinforce coping skills and wellness strategies identified by behavioral health providers, including grounding techniques, stress management, emotional regulation, self-care practices, and relapse prevention strategies.
Support clients in developing and maintaining personal wellness and recovery plans.
Assist with safety planning activities
Identify early warning signs of mental health crises, substance use relapse, or increased risk and communicate concerns to the appropriate clinical staff.
Provide education regarding mental health, substance use disorders, recovery resources, stigma reduction, and available community supports.
Coordinate referrals to community resources addressing Indigenous Social Determinants of Health, including housing, transportation, food security, employment, cultural supports, and social services.
Assist with outreach and engagement efforts for individuals who have difficulty accessing services or maintaining treatment participation.
Support Behavioral Health, Recovery, and Kikijire programs with community-based follow-up and engagement activities.
Maintain accurate documentation, client records, encounter notes, and monthly reports in accordance with departmental policies.
Participate in multidisciplinary case reviews, treatment team meetings, quality improvement activities, and program evaluation efforts.
Promote culturally grounded, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and strengths-based approaches to healing while supporting Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and healing.
Attend required trainings, certification courses, workshops, supervision sessions, and department meetings.