Community Health Worker

Fairview Health Services•St. Paul, MN

About The Position

The Community Health Worker (CHW) helps community members, patients, and their families access and navigate community services and resources and adopt healthy behaviors. The CHW supports providers and team members through integrated care management and community outreach to promote, maintain, and improve individual and community health. The role provides social support, informal counseling, individual and group health education, and advocacy for individual and community health needs. Home visits and health screenings may be required.

Requirements

At least 3 years of experience working on community health projects, programs, or initiatives.
Community-based experience.
Demonstrated competency and sensitivity in working with diverse populations.
Community Health Worker Certificate within 1.5 years.

Nice To Haves

College degree in health, human services, or a related field.
Experience teaching or presenting information to groups.
Experience with Microsoft Office.
Multicultural health care experience or health care experience in other countries.

Responsibilities

Provide culturally appropriate wellness and health information to providers, patients, and community members.
Provide individual social and health care support.
Refer and connect people to preventive services through health screenings and health care information.
Conduct health-related screenings as assigned.
Increase access to primary care through culturally competent outreach and enrollment strategies.
Make referrals and coordinate services.
Teach people the knowledge and skills needed to obtain care.
Support continuity of care through follow-up.
Connect patients with available community resources and inform them about those resources.
Articulate and advocate for the needs of individuals and the community.
Speak on behalf of patients when they are unable to speak for themselves.
Involve participants in self-advocacy and community advocacy.
Map communities to help locate and support needed services.
Improve communication among the health system, patients, and community members to clarify cultural practices and enhance care quality.
Educate patients and community members about using health care and social service systems.
Educate health and social service systems about patient and community needs and perspectives.
Establish better communication processes.
Build individual capacity to achieve wellness.
Build community capacity by addressing social determinants of health.
Identify individual and community needs.
Mentor other community health workers and support capacity building.
Pursue professional development and continuing education.