Community Health Worker

The University of Texas at Austin•Austin, TX

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Health Worker (CHW) serves as a trusted liaison between the healthcare system and the community, helping participants navigate medical and social systems to improve health outcomes. The position works under the supervision of the Department of Women’s Health Director of Research and collaborates with research coordinators, nurses, physicians, principal investigators, stakeholders, and other medical staff throughout the study. The CHW works directly with postpartum mothers participating in a Department of Women’s Health research project, providing ongoing support and serving as a key point of contact between participants and the research team. The role conducts outreach, provides health education, supports care plan adherence, and connects participants to resources such as housing, food, and transportation. It also supports efforts to reduce health disparities, improve access to care for underserved populations, and implement research initiatives. The position is based in Austin, Texas, is scheduled for 40 hours per week, and is expected to continue until June 30, 2030. The salary starts at $42,598, depending on qualifications. The work uses standard office equipment and involves repetitive keyboard use. Occupational hazards may include communicable diseases, blood-borne pathogens, radiation, hazardous medications, and disoriented or combative patients. Evening or weekend outreach events may be required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
At least 1 year of experience in community outreach, health education, or social services; relevant education may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis.
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Certified Community Health Worker (CHW) credential, or obtain it within 6 months of hire.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in Public Health, Social Work, or a related field.
At least 2 years of experience in a healthcare or community-based setting.
Bilingual in English and Spanish or another prevalent community language.
CPR certification.
Valid Texas driver’s license and reliable transportation.
Certification in motivational interviewing or trauma-informed care.

Responsibilities

Build trusting relationships with research participants, postpartum mothers, and families through regular communication.
Educate participants about available health and social services and screen for social needs and barriers to health and wellbeing.
Provide culturally responsive support tailored to participants’ needs and circumstances.
Promote preventive care and wellness programs and encourage participation in chronic disease management programs.
Partner with research coordinators to model participant engagement and train study staff in relationship-centered, culturally responsive outreach and retention approaches.
Help participants access medical, behavioral, and social services, including assisting with applications for insurance, housing, and food assistance.
Coordinate with internal departments and external agencies, track referrals, and ensure services are completed.
Develop resource-navigation workflows, standardized referral tracking and follow-up procedures, escalation pathways, and site-specific implementation guides for use and replication across study locations.
Provide individualized health education and coaching, use motivational interviewing to support behavior change, reinforce care team instructions and treatment plans, and assist with medication adherence and appointment follow-ups.
Train research coordinators to provide consistent health education and reinforce study-related resources using evidence-based, culturally responsive communication techniques.
Maintain timely and accurate participant documentation in RedCap, collect and report quality and performance data, and communicate participant progress and barriers to research and care teams.
Protect participant confidentiality and comply with HIPAA.
Document lessons learned, implementation barriers, and successful strategies to inform replication of the intervention at future sites.
Collaborate with community partners and coalitions, identify community needs, advocate for resources, and assist with program evaluation and improvement.
Promote health equity and community-informed responsiveness.
Complete required CHW continuing education, attend meetings and in-service training, share best practices, and stay current on community resources and health topics.
Support continuous quality improvement by evaluating implementation and refining training, workflow diagrams, and operational procedures based on study findings and participant needs.