Community Health Worker (Street Medicine)

WEA CA PC•San Diego, CA

19h•Onsite

About The Position

Wellness Equity Alliance (WEA) is a novel national public health organization comprised of a multidisciplinary team of population and public health experts. We work nearly exclusively with underrepresented communities, fundamentally addressing health-care disparities and the social determinants of health (SDoH). The Street Medicine program is an innovative and compassionate approach to healthcare, designed to meet individuals experiencing homelessness right where they are: on the streets, in shelters, or within underserved communities. This role supports the launch and expansion of a community-based street medicine program and plays a critical role in early outreach, engagement, and care coordination efforts. The Community Health Worker (CHW) supports Wellness Equity Alliance’s Street Medicine Program by conducting outreach and care coordination among unhoused populations in the Victorville region. This role focuses on engaging individuals experiencing homelessness, identifying unmet health needs, and connecting patients to medical care, behavioral health services, and social supports. The CHW will support grant-funded public health initiatives designed to improve care engagement, treatment access, and health outcomes for vulnerable populations. Through outreach, peer navigation, and care coordination, the CHW will help individuals living with or at risk for infectious diseases—including HIV, HCV, and other conditions—access care, overcome barriers to treatment, and remain engaged in services. This role is part of a multidisciplinary street medicine team that delivers care directly where people live—including encampments, shelters, and other community settings. The CHW plays a vital role in building trust, reducing logistical barriers to care, and supporting individuals throughout their care journey.

Requirements

Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with local/regional community resources.
Demonstrated ability to provide appropriate guidance and positive customer service utilizing a patient-centered approach.
Ability to work both independently and to collaborate with teams of individuals in diverse settings, using a solution-oriented approach.
Demonstrated knowledge of public health/social program services the unhoused.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and privacy of persons, documents and information.
Skilled in computer applications and EMR.
Must possess a valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

2–3 years of experience in housing navigation, case management, or homeless services.
Training or experience in Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, Harm Reduction, Crisis Intervention, or De-escalation.
Familiarity with data systems and strong proficiency in Google suite programs.
Experience with community outreach or engagement activities.
Bilingual English/Spanish is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Conduct outreach activities among unhoused populations in collaboration with the street medicine team to identify individuals needing medical care, infectious disease services, and social supports.
Build trusting relationships with community members using trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and harm-reduction approaches.
Conduct telephonic and face-to-face outreach to assess social determinants of health affecting patient wellbeing.
Identify individuals living with HIV or other infectious diseases who are not currently engaged in care and assist with linkage or re-engagement into medical services.
Provide peer navigation and community-based support to help individuals access care and maintain engagement in treatment.
Assist participants in accessing health-related services, including overcoming barriers to obtaining medical care and social services.
Coordinate appointments and referrals for medical care, behavioral health services, and community-based resources.
Connect members to social services and supports, including transportation and other essential services.
Monitor treatment adherence, including medication support and follow-up care coordination.
Advocate on behalf of members with healthcare professionals and community partners.
Coordinate with hospital staff and care teams to support discharge planning and continuity of care.
Accompany members to office visits when needed to support engagement and continuity of care.
Serve responsibilities for Enhanced Care Management, assuming functions typically described in ECM contracts as the ‘Lead Care Manager’ role, operating as part of the member’s multidisciplinary care team and coordinating all aspects of ECM services.
Support implementation of grant-funded public health initiatives through outreach, peer navigation, and care coordination activities, including conducting outreach to individuals living with infectious diseases who have not linked to care after diagnosis or who have fallen out of care.
Assist with re-engagement of individuals who are no longer actively receiving medical services.
Support facilitated referrals and linkage to primary care and specialty services.
Assist patients in accessing treatment and remaining engaged in ongoing care.
Support program goals focused on improving care engagement, treatment adherence, and long-term health outcomes among vulnerable populations.
Contribute to performance goals and service delivery targets established within grant-funded programs.
Assist with daily street medicine program operations, including outreach planning and coordination of field activities.
Ensure outreach supplies and materials are prepared for community encounters.
Document outreach encounters, care coordination activities, and service outcomes in the electronic health record and other required program data systems in accordance with applicable program standards.
Maintain accurate participant files and support monthly and quarterly reporting requirements for grant-funded programs.
Monitor program performance indicators and support quality improvement initiatives.
Work collaboratively with physicians, nurses, behavioral health providers, and case managers as part of the street medicine care team.
Establish positive working relationships with community partners including shelters, community organizations, and service providers.
Participate in case conferences and team meetings to support coordinated care planning.
Participate in required trainings related to program standards, cultural competency, trauma-informed care, local resources, and use of program data systems.