Community Health Worker - Pathways/MSS

Sea Mar Community Health Centers•Seattle, WA

11h

About The Position

The Community Health Worker (CHW) works according to the Pathways model to eliminate or mitigate barriers to health and social services identified through client assessments. The CHW supports pregnant women and their families in navigating and accessing community services and other resources, adopting healthy behaviors, and improving self-sufficiency and health care outcomes. The role serves as an advocate and liaison, connecting at-risk and high-risk pregnant women and families with appropriate government, community, and health care services. Services are provided in clients’ homes, the community, and the office, and all interventions and services are documented. Program success is measured by completion of assigned Pathways and improved client outcomes. The CHW works under the supervision of the MSS Program Manager and primarily in the community. The position requires building trusting relationships with clients and community partners, coordinating care, helping clients set and pursue goals, and following up on treatment plans and referrals. The CHW is expected to support Sea Mar’s client-centered mission and values, maintain professional conduct, and work with sensitivity to the cultural preferences and needs of the population served. This position does not supervise employees.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Ability to read and understand documentation requirements, community resource information, safety rules, instructions, and procedure manuals; write routine reports and correspondence; and communicate effectively with clients, families, colleagues, and community partners.
Must be a recognized and trusted member of the community served.
Effective verbal and written communication and good listening skills.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently.
Maintain a clear understanding of available federal, state, and community resources.
Provide unbiased and accurate education and referrals, including when clients’ needs conflict with the CHW’s personal viewpoints or beliefs.
Computer literacy, including use of documentation systems and researching community resources.
Ability to recognize potentially dangerous situations in clinic, office, home, and community settings and take appropriate action.
Knowledge of child abuse and neglect and mandated reporting law RCW 26.44.30.
Knowledge of, interest in, and compassion and ability to serve clients facing economic, emotional, physical, social, and other challenges affecting health outcomes.
Basic knowledge of maternal and child health issues, including pregnancy, postpartum, and early infancy needs and risks.
Focus on the client and respect for client participation and control of their own care.
Ability to maintain focus on client-centered principles, including empanelment, continuous team-based healing relationships, client-centered interactions, engaged leadership, inclusive and dynamic quality improvement, enhanced access, care coordination, and organized evidence-based care.
Professional conduct and the understanding, physical health, emotional stability, and personality needed to meet the physical, mental, emotional, and social needs of the population served.
No history or evidence of alcohol or other drug misuse during the three years before employment, and no misuse while employed at the facility.
No felony conviction within the past seven years, no conviction ever for child abuse or a crime involving physical harm to another person, and no history as a perpetrator of substantiated child abuse.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to solve practical problems involving limited standardization and interpret written, oral, diagrammed, or scheduled instructions.
Current Washington State driver’s license.
Must receive a Washington State Patrol background check.
Must obtain and maintain CPR certification and undergo an annual TB test.
Must meet the physical demands of the job, including occasional lifting or moving of up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish reading, writing, and verbal skills are strongly preferred and may be required depending on the target community.
Other language skills may be considered based on site and population needs.

Responsibilities

Work primarily in the community to reach and support patients.
Advocate for patients and establish trusting relationships with clients, the target population, and community partners.
Conduct standardized patient intake and risk assessments, and complete assigned Pathways in a timely manner.
Document all interactions and assessments promptly using the Pathways documentation platform and Sea Mar’s EHR.
Attend Pathways, Sea Mar, and other assigned trainings and meetings.
Identify and assist clients with their health and social service goals; act as a cultural liaison when appropriate.
Help develop strategies to address or eliminate barriers to care.
Collaborate with the Program Manager, PCP, assigned personnel, HUB partners, and community service providers to identify high-risk clients and coordinate care.
Continuously assess client and family needs, monitor outcomes, and implement or adjust service plans.
Follow up on PCP treatment plans using basic motivational interviewing and goal setting with clients and families.
Contact clients by phone, through home visits, and in other settings where they can be reached.
Help clients complete applications and registration forms; refer uninsured clients to an insurance Navigator/CSR for eligibility determination, enrollment, and follow-up.
Help clients set personal goals and overcome barriers to appointments, including transportation and child care.
Refer clients to community agencies, help them connect with transportation resources, and provide appointment reminders.
Attend regular staff meetings, trainings, and other required meetings.
Perform other duties as assigned.