Community Health Worker - Central Kansas Region - Family Medicine

University of Kansas Medical Center•Kansas City, KS

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Community Health Worker (CHW) serves communities throughout the Central Kansas region, including Reno, Rice, McPherson, Harvey, Stafford, Pratt, and Kingman counties. Applicants must reside in or be willing to relocate to the service area. The role requires regular travel within the assigned region to provide community-based services, outreach, and support to individuals and families. Approximately 70% of the work is in the community, including outreach, home visits, and appointment support, and 30% is office work. This is a hybrid position with flexibility to work some nights and weekends; hours may be flexed within the same week. CHWs help individuals and families navigate health care and social systems, connect them with community resources, and educate them about and connect them to the Thrive program. They bridge health and social service systems by linking patients with relevant agencies and resources to improve care and outcomes. The CHW works closely with primary care teams, the CHW regional supervisor and project coordinator, community-based organizations, and other agencies to identify gaps in care and services and build community capacity. The role includes developing referral networks, participating in clinic-site and CHW team meetings, coordinating with project leadership, completing administrative recordkeeping, and maintaining the ECHOS database and an up-to-date inventory of community resources. Job duties may change and the listed responsibilities are not exhaustive.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Certified in Kansas as a Community Health Worker, or willing to complete Core Curriculum training and become certified within the first six months of employment.
Complete internal ECHOS database training within three months of employment.
Experience working with various populations in community settings, including people who may experience mental health concerns.
Reside in or be willing to relocate to the Central Kansas service area.
Regular travel within the assigned region is required.
Computer skills.
Communication skills.
Ability to multitask.
Interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree or higher in a health or related field.
One year of health education experience.
One year of experience working as a community health worker or health navigator.
Two years of experience working or living in a multicultural setting.
One year of work experience in a public health department or healthcare setting.
Bilingual proficiency in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Engage community-based organizations, including faith-based organizations, small businesses, schools, and community agencies, to build referral networks addressing clients’ social determinants of health needs.
Participate in clinic-site meetings to develop and implement strategies that support clients’ sustained engagement with Thrive and address health inequities and social determinants of health in the assigned county.
Participate in CHW team meetings to discuss strategies and carry out action items for Thrive and the clinic site.
Coordinate and communicate with CHW project leadership.
Attend bi-monthly virtual learning collaboratives to learn about community resources and best practices and network with other project CHWs.
Complete ongoing administrative tasks and maintain organized records, working with staff members when necessary.
Maintain the ECHOS database, including client notes, forms, supplementary information, partnerships, and time tracking, through weekly checks and updates.
Maintain and review an up-to-date inventory of community resources, programs, and health initiatives.
Provide community-based outreach, home visits, appointment support, and other services to individuals and families.
Connect individuals and families to community resources and the Thrive program to support care and outcomes.

Benefits

Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage beginning on day one.
Health expense accounts with generous employer contributions for employees participating in a qualifying health plan.
Employer-paid life insurance.
Long-term disability insurance.
Additional voluntary insurance plans.
Paid vacation and sick time accruing upon hire.
Ten paid holidays.
One paid discretionary day after six months of employment.
Paid time off for bereavement, jury duty, military service, and parental leave after 12 months of employment.
Retirement program with a generous employer contribution.
Additional voluntary retirement programs (457 or 403b).