Community Health Worker
About The Position
As defined by the CHW Section of the American Public Health Association: A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the CHW to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. A CHW also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy.
Requirements
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Community Health Worker (CHW) Certification from an accredited program or must obtain within 2 years of hire.
- One (1) year of related Community Health experience.
- Experience in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, and Publisher.
Responsibilities
- Serves as a bridge between the community and the health care, government and social service systems.
- Completes billable and non-billable activities including chronic disease management education.
- Enhances care quality by aiding communication between provider and patient to clarify cultural practices.
- Educates community members about how to use the health care and social service systems.
- Educates the health and social service systems about community needs and perspectives.
- Establishes better communication processes.
- Increases access to primary care through culturally competent outreach and enrollment strategies.
- Makes referrals and coordinates services.
- Teaches people the knowledge and skills needed to obtain care.
- Facilitates continuity of care by providing follow-up.
- Enrolls clients into programs such as health insurance and public assistance.
- Links clients to and informs them of available community resources.
- Articulates and advocates needs of community and individuals to others.
- Acts as a spokesperson for clients when they are unable to speak for themselves.
- Involves participants in self and community advocacy.
- Maps communities to help locate and support needed services.
- Promotes wellness by providing culturally appropriate health information to clients and providers.
- Educates clients on disease prevention.
- Assists clients in self-management of chronic illnesses and medication adherence.
- Provides individual social and health care support.
- Organizes and/or facilitates support groups.
- Refers and links to preventive services through health screenings and healthcare information.
- Conducts health related screenings.
- Builds individual capacity to achieve wellness.
- Builds community capacity by addressing social determinants of health.
- Identifies individual and community needs.
- Mentors other CHWs – capacity building.
- Seeks professional development (continuing education).
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
