Community Health Worker II Complex Care Full-time Days

Northwestern Memorial Healthcare • Palos Heights, IL

1d

About The Position

The Community Health Worker II is a frontline health professional who serves as a trusted member of, or has a close understanding of, the community served. The role bridges the health system, social services, and the community, facilitating access to services and improving the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. Through outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy, the Community Health Worker helps build individual and community capacity, health knowledge, and self-sufficiency.

The position supports an assigned panel of patients across their episodes of care, building trusting relationships and providing longitudinal support to promote social stability, continuity, and connection to appropriate services. As part of an interdisciplinary team, the Community Health Worker provides support in outpatient clinics, in the community, and by telephone. The role includes screening for social drivers of health, connecting patients and families with resources, documenting care-related information in the electronic medical record, and supporting comprehensive patient care. The position reflects Northwestern Medicine’s mission, vision, and values and follows its Code of Ethics, Corporate Compliance Program, applicable policies, and regulatory and accreditation standards.

Requirements

• Associate degree or commensurate experience.
• Community Health Worker certification, or commitment to complete certification within two years.
• At least two years of customer service experience in a clinical environment.

Nice To Haves

• Community outreach and education experience.
• Experience in a patient-facing role.
• Volunteer experience.

Responsibilities

• Act as a liaison between the health system, social services, and the community.
• Advocate for patients to help ensure they receive necessary care and clinically and culturally appropriate resources.
• Serve an assigned panel of patients across episodes of care to promote trust, continuity, and connection to appropriate services.
• Develop trusting patient relationships and provide longitudinal support to help patients achieve social stability and close gaps in care.
• Provide services in outpatient clinics, in the community, and through telephone support as part of an interdisciplinary care team.
• Support individuals, families, and communities in building capacity and accessing resources related to social drivers of health screening, patient education, and other Northwestern Medicine resources.
• Facilitate patient and family education that promotes social wellness and increases understanding of the health care system.
• Participate as a member of an interprofessional team with physicians, pharmacists, social workers, therapists, and clinicians to provide comprehensive patient care.
• Collaborate with Complex Care Clinics, the Population Health team, Primary Care, Community Affairs, and FQHCs as appropriate to provide comprehensive patient support.
• Complete social drivers of health screenings and provide appropriate resources.
• Apply a basic understanding of chronic, complex diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, COPD, and heart failure.
• Follow regulatory reporting requirements.
• Document appropriate information in the electronic medical record to support the care plan.
• Use motivational interviewing and conflict resolution skills as needed to resolve issues and system problems in a timely manner.
• Support professional growth and development through appropriate educational activities, volunteering events, and community work.
• Train and orient new community health workers.
• Perform other administrative responsibilities as needed.

Benefits

• Competitive benefits, including tuition reimbursement and loan forgiveness.
• 401(k) matching.
• Lifecycle benefits.
• A range of benefits intended to support employees’ physical, emotional, and financial well-being and provide protection for unexpected life events.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree