Community Health Worker
About The Position
The Office for Community Health (OCH) at the University of New Mexico is establishing a standing Community Health Worker (CHW) job posting to maintain an ongoing pool of qualified candidates for current and future openings across multiple OCH programs. Community Health Workers play a vital role in improving health outcomes by addressing social determinants of health and connecting individuals and families to essential resources. CHWs support clients experiencing complex medical, behavioral health, and social challenges using trauma-informed, client-centered, and culturally responsive approaches. Placement will depend on program needs and candidate experience and may include: Adult Inpatient Social Drivers of Health (SDOH) Team (Hospital-Based): Fully in-person at UNM Hospital, partnering with inpatient care teams to conduct screenings, support discharge planning, provide resource navigation, and coordinate community services to ensure safe transitions of care. Community Connections (CC): A community-focused role providing outreach, screening, and navigation services to connect individuals and families to healthcare, housing, food access, transportation, and other essential supports. After successful completion of probation, schedules may include a mix of in-office, field, and remote work. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and candidates may be contacted as positions become available within these teams.
Requirements
- High school diploma or GED; at least 1 year of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
- Possession of a valid New Mexico driver's license is a requirement for this job.
- Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check.
- Fingerprinting, and subsequent clearance, may be required for this position depending on assignment.
- May be required to obtain a Community Support Worker (CSW) certification within six months of hire.
- Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.
- Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check.
Nice To Haves
- Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, especially with diverse populations.
- Ability to work independently and remotely.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and email communication.
- Familiarity with local community resources and social service systems.
- Strong problem-solving skills with a compassionate approach.
- Commitment to maintaining client confidentiality and ethical standards.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for community and home visits.
- Bilingual skills are a plus and may be preferred based on community needs.
- Previous experience in a healthcare or clinical setting.
- Strong interpersonal skills and a passion for community advocacy.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and client-centered principles.
Responsibilities
- Conduct screenings to identify social and health-related needs
- Connect clients to healthcare, housing, food, transportation, and other community resources
- Provide education on health promotion and system navigation
- Support discharge planning and care transitions (hospital-based roles)
- Conduct home visits and community outreach (community-based roles)
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and community partners
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation
Benefits
- medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- educational benefits through the tuition remission and dependent education programs
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
