Community Health Worker

Alliance for Community Empowerment Inc•Bridgeport, CT

12d

About The Position

A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a public health outreach professional with an in-depth understanding of the experience, language, culture, and socioeconomic needs of the community. CHW provides a range of services, including, but not limited to, outreach, engagement, education, coaching, informal counseling, social support, advocacy, care coordination, research related to social determinants of health, and basic screenings and assessments of any risks associated with social determinants of health.

Requirements

High School Diploma required.
Successful completion of a Community Health Worker formal training program, from the Connecticut Department of Public Health, with working towards license completion or a Community Health Worker license issued by the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
Excellent interpersonal skills required, including, but not limited to, appropriate email etiquette, active listening, and thorough revision of all written assignments.
Supports an ethical standard that complies with a code of conduct free of conflicts of interest.
Supports the Mission and Values of Alliance for Community Empowerment, Inc.
Confidentiality of all data, including applicants, employees, and operations data.
Quality Assurance and compliance with all regulatory requirements.
Compliance with current law and policy to provide a work environment free from sexual harassment and all illegal and discriminatory behavior.
Supports and participates in common teamwork:
Cooperates and works together with all co-workers; plans and completes job duties with minimal supervisory direction, including appropriate judgment.
Uses tactful, appropriate communication in sensitive and emotional situations.
Follow up as appropriate with supervisor and co-workers regarding reported complaints, problems, and concerns.
Promotes positive public relations with patients, family members, and guests.
Previous experience in working with community-based programs that help to identify and address Social Determinants of Health.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in social services preferred.
Applicant has a well-developed understanding and experience working with an ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse population.
Certification of Community Health Worker preferred.
Knowledge of some medical terminology is preferred.
Ability to understand the needs of the community to be served.
Must have knowledge of the various services available in the community.
Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement, and patient empowerment.

Responsibilities

Completes a full assessment of individual’s needs including social determinants of health, person-centered recovery action plans oriented to the client’s cultural background including gender identity/sexual orientation.
Provides behavioral health resources and interventions when needed.
Works with primary care providers and other CHWs to facilitate referrals to the behavioral health department, works with individuals and families to increase compliance with attending intakes, and appointments, and assists in decreasing barriers to participation.
Documents all client encounters and care coordination efforts made on behalf of clients; maintain comprehensive electronic client files in a consistent and timely fashion.
Works with Alliance’s team to provide accurate data collection for program reports.
Coaches and facilitates communications with clients in effective management of self-care. Motivates clients to be active and engaged participants in their health and overall well-being.
CHW will be held accountable and assessed by targeted measures from the CHW Grant.
Facilitates client access to community resources, including housing, food, and clothing assistance, transportation, parenting, providers to teach life skills, vocational, and educational resources, and relevant mental health services. Assists clients in utilizing community services, facilitating appointments with community services agencies as well as with completion of applications for programs for which they may be eligible.
Establishes positive, supportive relationships with participants and provides feedback to other members of the team. Builds and maintains positive working relationships with clients, providers, agency representatives, supervisors, and office staff. Works to reduce cultural and socio-economic barriers between clients and agencies.
Travels as needed to community locations, various agencies, and other outreach destinations.
Attend meetings as scheduled or as requested.
Participate in supervision with the supervisor as required.
Performs other duties as assigned.