Community Health Worker

Cornerstone Care • McKees Rocks, PA

1d

About The Position

The Community Health Worker is a frontline public health worker who performs a wide variety of duties at the paraprofessional level to engage, support, advocate and educate community members in overall health and wellness. The CHW serves as a liaison or link between health and social services and the community to facilitate access and improve health outcomes by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy.

Requirements

• Bachelors degree in related field (e.g. health, social science, science education, health education, nursing, dietetics, etc.) or commensurate experience, preferred.
• Strong communications skills.
• Ability to work in settings independent of immediate supervision.
• Proficiency in office computing and information management technology.
• Ability to engage effective community organizing.
• Ability to rapidly assimilate and effectively disseminate knowledge about pertinent health issues.
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal and communication skills and has the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Possesses knowledge of community agencies and resources.
• Works with multi-system outreach programs related to health care delivery, clinical education, and health-related services
• Plans, implements, and evaluates individual individuals care plans.
• Maintains knowledge of transportation and other barriers to care that may be encountered by individuals.
• Communicates medical information to health care professionals and care coordinators over the telephone.
• Possesses knowledge of community health concepts, advocacy & capacity building, care coordination, health literacy & education, safety and self-care and cultural competency.
• Possession of a valid driver's license is a requirement for this job.
• Holds CHW certification or could obtain within six months of employment and complete 30 education/training hours every two years to achieve re-certification.

Responsibilities

• Creating connections between vulnerable populations and healthcare systems
• Determining eligibility and enrolling individuals into health insurance plans
• Educating health system providers and stakeholders about community health needs
• Providing culturally appropriate health education on topics related to chronic disease prevention, physical activity, and nutrition
• Assists patients in their homes, community, or clinic setting.
• Communicates to individuals the purposes of the program and the impact it may have on their wellbeing.
• Helps patients identify socio-economic issues that affect their overall health and develop health/social management plans and goals.
• Documents all encounters and contracts made on behalf of patients; completes and submits monthly reports; maintains comprehensive electronic individuals files, which include individuals notes, release of information, assessments and other medical documents acquired on behalf of the individuals.
• Documents activities, service plans, and outcomes achieved by individuals in an effective manner.
• Educates individuals on the proper use of the Emergency Room and provides information for alternatives.
• Coaches patients in effective management of their chronic health conditions and self-care.
• Assists patient in understanding care plans and instructions.
• Motivates individuals/patients to be active and engaged participants in their health and overall wellbeing.
• Assists individuals in accessing health related services, including but not limited to obtaining a medical home, providing instruction on appropriate use of the medical home, overcoming barriers to obtaining needed medical care and /or social services.
• Provides support and advocacy during initial medical visit or when necessary to assure patients' medical needs and referrals required are being conveyed.
• Follows up with both patients and providers regarding health/social services plans.
• Continuously expands knowledge and understanding of community resources and services.
• Facilitates individuals access to community resources, including locating housing, food, clothing, prenatal classes, parenting, and providers to teach life skills, and relevant mental health services.
• Assists patients in utilizing community services, including scheduling appointments with social services agencies, and assisting with completion of applications for programs for which they may be eligible.
• Facilitates communication and coordinate services between providers and the patients/patients.
• Coordinates and monitors services, including comprehensive tracking of patients' compliance in relation to care plan objectives.
• Works collaboratively and effectively within a team.
• Establishes positive, supportive relationships with participants and provides feedback to other members of the team.
• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with the patients, providers, nurse case managers, agency representatives, supervisors, and office staff, from diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Works to reduce cultural and socio-economic barriers between patients and healthcare/community services.
• Travels extensively to individuals homes, community locations, various agencies, and other outreach destinations.
• Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• dental and vision coverage
• life insurance
• long-term disability insurance
• 403 B retirement
• flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care
• credit union
• a variety of additional voluntary benefits as well as a generous time off package

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees