Community Health Worker, Mobile Medical Unit

Medical Teams International•Hermiston, OR

18d

About The Position

The Community Health Worker (CHW) serves as a trusted liaison between Medical Teams International and community members, healthcare providers, and social service organizations. The role provides outreach, health education, care coordination, and navigation support to increase access to health services, reduce barriers, and promote wellness among underserved populations. It supports Medical Teams International’s calling: “Daring to love like Jesus, we boldly break barriers to health and restore wholeness in a hurting world.” Working with partner organizations and Medical Teams staff, the CHW helps patients navigate healthcare and social services, connects them with primary care and community resources, delivers culturally responsive and trauma-informed health education, and supports individuals and families with complex needs. The position maintains accurate records and reports, contributes to quality improvement, follows confidentiality and safeguarding requirements, and responds to emergent health issues within the employee’s training. The position is grant-funded and initially offered as a fixed-term, two-year position; continuation depends on funding availability.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Active Oregon Health Authority Trained and Certified Assister certification, or a similar certification required in the applicable jurisdiction.
Valid driver’s license.
Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Provider certification from the American Heart Association.
Two years of experience in healthcare, community-based outreach, social work, mental health, disability care, or another applicable field.
At least six months of experience in health insurance or healthcare system navigation.
Knowledge of standards required by OHA and other partners in programs funded by state health authorities.
Basic understanding of the U.S. health system and Trauma Informed Care.
Cultural knowledge and sensitivity to the populations served.
Basic medical knowledge, including ability to recognize social and health risk factors and chronic disease conditions.
Moderate skill with Microsoft 365 software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
Excellent interpersonal, relational, and communication skills, including email and written communication with partners and clients.
Basic competency navigating electronic health record systems.
Excellent written and verbal English skills.
Commitment to Medical Teams International’s calling statement and core values.
Ability to work a flexible schedule and weekends as needed.
Ability and willingness to travel frequently between focus communities as needed.
Ability to collaborate with patients, families, clinical team members, community resources, and people from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Ability to openly address substance use and mental illness, sensitivity to cultural and individual differences, and comfort working with people with mental illness.
Self-motivation and ability to work independently.
Ability to meet the physical requirements of the role, with reasonable accommodations where applicable.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor’s degree in a healthcare-related field.
Experience documenting billable services in an electronic health record.
Familiarity or experience working with farm workers, day laborers, members of Tribal Nations, or similar populations.
Experience working in mobile healthcare.
Experience with local public health, education, human services, childcare, dental service providers, or disability services organizations.
Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Understanding of services available to migrants, farm workers, unhoused people, people with substance use and behavioral health needs, and tribal communities, as well as policies affecting these populations.

Responsibilities

Identify and address barriers to patient care, determine health insurance status, assist with health plan enrollment, and provide insurance navigation education and guidance, including referrals to Oregon Health Plan and other Medicaid programs as appropriate.
Connect patients to primary care providers and confirm attendance at initial appointments.
Provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed support navigating healthcare and social service systems, including scheduling, transportation, and coordination with other health providers.
Provide evidence-based health education on disease prevention, vaccine confidence, chronic disease management, oral health, nutrition, and overall wellness, tailored to community needs.
Maintain current resource lists and refer patients to community organizations for food, housing, behavioral health, and other support services.
Build trusted relationships through culturally responsive outreach and engagement, serve as a bridge to health and social service systems, and advocate for equitable preventive health services, including routine and seasonal immunizations.
Address health myths and misinformation using trauma-informed, culturally responsive communication and motivational interviewing to support informed healthcare decisions.
Collaborate with case managers, clinical teams, and community partners to support patients with complex medical, mental health, or substance use needs.
Apply Medical Teams’ validated health screening tools as appropriate.
Collect and report data required by Medical Teams and funders, and prepare accurate, timely reports for internal and external stakeholders.
Comply with HIPAA and organizational confidentiality standards and maintain thorough, accurate documentation in the electronic health record system.
Contribute to quality and performance improvement initiatives to enhance patient outcomes and service delivery.
Respond to emergent health issues as trained, providing first aid or Basic Life Support as appropriate.
May serve as a focal point or mentor for new staff or students assigned to Medical Teams.
Attend coordination and planning meetings, utilize volunteers as needed, and participate in evaluation and feedback processes.
Promote safeguarding of program participants and employees, remain alert to safeguarding risks, and follow applicable protection, safeguarding, and harassment-free workplace policies and codes of conduct.
Perform other duties as assigned.