Community Health Worker - Central Health

Central Health•Austin, TX

About The Position

The Community Health Worker (CHW) is a trusted member of the community who understands the culture, language, socioeconomic status, and life experiences of the community served. The CHW acts as a liaison and provides cultural mediation between healthcare, social services, and the community. The role helps Central Health members and patients access services and resources while building individual, community, and system capacity through health knowledge and self-sufficiency. Services may include social support, clinical education, advocacy, and assistance applying for healthcare coverage and other resources. The CHW is responsible for patient documentation, project organization, and collaboration with the team. Services are provided through informing, outreach, patient navigation, and community health education, in settings such as community outreach, the Central Health Navigation Center, Central Health Clinics, and other healthcare settings.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Certified Community Health Worker (CHW), or completion within six months of an approved 160-hour competency-based Community Health Worker training program certified by DSHS.
Knowledge of enterprise and community resources and the ability to provide appropriate referrals to patients and families.
Working knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office products.
Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with a wide range of audiences.
Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement, and motivation to members.
Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with coworkers, clients, members, and providers.
Flexibility and willingness to learn new responsibilities and work in a changing environment.
Skill in coaching participants to advocate for and manage their health and social resources.
Ability to demonstrate compassion, vulnerability, and empathy while advancing Central Health's health equity and DEI goals.
Ability to provide person-centered, inclusive, and culturally competent care.
Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks calmly and orderly.

Nice To Haves

Associate's degree.
Bachelor's degree.
One year of experience working in a multicultural, community-based setting.
Bilingual in English, Spanish, and/or another foreign language.
Basic Life Support (BLS) through the American Red Cross or American Heart Association upon hire.

Responsibilities

Act as a member or patient advocate and liaison among the member or family, provider, health plan, Central Health, and community service agencies.
Provide culturally appropriate educational information within scope of practice, communicating in a standardized manner while considering literacy, health literacy, resource management, software utilization and navigation, and technological ability.
Coach participants to advocate for and manage their health and social resources.
Manage an assigned caseload; document activities and plans of care when applicable; and report results in accordance with organizational standards.
Provide ongoing follow-up, basic motivational interviewing, and goal setting with members and families.
Share the patient or member perspective to inform messaging, activities, outreach, and healthcare-system navigation.
Help members use resources, complete applications for programs for which they may be eligible, schedule appointments, arrange transportation, and support patient success.
Assist members in accessing health-related services and overcoming barriers to medical care and social services.
Learn about community resources and provide appropriate referrals to patients, members, and families.
Provide assistance and document activities, plans of care, and results in accordance with organizational policies and procedures to improve healthcare access.
Attend training, continuing education, and professional development programs to maintain active Community Health Worker Certification.
Provide information, education, and support for accessing the patient portal (MyChart).