Community Health Worker

CVS Health•Toledo, OH

About The Position

The Community Health Worker (CHW) at Oak Street Health serves as a bridge between patients, their communities, and medical systems, helping remove barriers and improve wellness. The CHW advocates for and supports patients through proactive in-person and phone outreach, promoting health literacy and access to resources that help them live healthier lives. Success requires flexibility, problem-solving, strong communication, and knowledge of the community served. CHWs work closely with Medical Social Workers and care teams to manage care plans, support care-team decisions, and coordinate clinical and complementary services. The role works within its scope of practice and does not require a clinical license. CHWs meet patients in locations suited to their needs and preferences, including health centers, homes, medical provider facilities, and community settings. They should expect to spend about half their time outside the center and must have reliable transportation for community travel. The role includes documenting patient interactions in the electronic medical record while protecting confidentiality and complying with HIPAA standards.

Requirements

At least 1 year of experience in healthcare, a community-based environment, case management, or social services.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a positive attitude.
Dedication to serving the community and building meaningful relationships.
Proficient computer skills, including Windows, GSuite, and Microsoft tools.
Reliable transportation and ability to travel throughout the community to various locations.
U.S. work authorization.

Nice To Haves

Fluency in a language commonly spoken in the community when necessary; most often, this includes bilingual English/Spanish.
Experience working on multidisciplinary teams with organizations, agencies, patients, and community members.
Knowledge of community resources and resource navigation.
Community Health Worker certification or an associate or bachelor’s degree in a related field.
Experience using electronic medical record systems.
Problem-solving orientation and a flexible, positive attitude.

Responsibilities

Establish and maintain relationships with patients, community organizations, team members, and partners to coordinate patient needs.
Manage care-team referrals and collaborate with the Medical Social Worker on action plans.
Facilitate communication among parties involved in patients’ care, including family members, caregivers, medical providers, and community-based organizations.
Build relationships with local community organizations and maintain an inventory of organizations that may benefit patients.
Connect patients with state and local resources related to housing, transportation, food, activities of daily living, and other barriers to health.
Help patients complete applications to access eligible benefits and resources.
Promote patient goal setting and achievement to improve quality of life and self-efficacy, with goals defined in agreement with the care team.
Meet patients in patient-centered and patient-preferred locations.
Drive engagement with high-risk individuals, including supporting completion of specialty appointments and adherence to post-discharge visits; this may include accompanying patients to appointments.
Complete referrals to organizations and agencies as needed.
Deliver culturally appropriate health education in areas for which Oak Street Health has provided competency training.
Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to support care-team decision-making.
Document patient interactions promptly in the electronic medical record while maintaining HIPAA standards and confidentiality of protected health information.
Manage time and priorities, work independently, and collaborate effectively with an interdisciplinary medical team.
Perform other duties as assigned.