Community Health Worker (Street Medicine)

WEA CA PC•San Diego, CA

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 with backgrounds in infectious disease, public health, emergency medicine, primary care, cardiology, pediatrics, psychiatry, community health work (CHW), nursing and advanced practice pharmacy. We work nearly exclusively with underrepresented communities, fundamentally addressing health-care disparities and the social determinants of health (SDoH) that have been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing the following: People experiencing homelessness Indigenous communities Immigrant communities Rural communities BIPoC communities LGBTQIA+ communities Justice-impacted communities The WEA team is diverse, inclusive, and nimble enough to assemble teams of healthcare professionals within days using our proven local staff recruitment models to address population health crises and communicable disease outbreaks. The WEA team’s partnership model is collaborative and allows hospitals, health jurisdictions, state/local government agencies to provide timely care using equity-based strategies for individuals and marginalized communities. Elevate your career to new heights with an opportunity that transcends traditional healthcare boundaries! Wellness Equity Alliance is actively seeking compassionate and driven individuals for several pivotal roles in our groundbreaking Street Medicine program. Street Medicine 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. Working for WEA is more than a job; it's a calling to serve those who are most in need, directly in their environment. Purpose of the position 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. This position 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 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. Many individuals experiencing homelessness have experienced repeated institutional failures and may have deep mistrust of healthcare systems. The CHW plays a vital role in building trust, reducing logistical barriers to care, and supporting individuals throughout their care journey.

Requirements

Candidates must meet one of the following pathways: Community Health Worker (CHW) Certificate Violence Prevention Professional Certificate Work Experience Pathway Education Experience Pathway
High School Diploma or GED required
Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional or lived experience working with vulnerable populations
Experience working with unhoused populations, harm reduction programs, or community outreach strongly preferred
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams
Ability to work in community and field-based environments
High School diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED) Associates degree in a healthcare, social work, or related field (Preferred)
CHW Certificate
Violence Prevention Professional Certificate
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

Associate’s degree in healthcare, social work, or related field preferred
Community Support Worker (CSW)
Certified Peer Support Worker (CPSW)
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:
Conduct 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.