Community Health Worker-Bilingual Spanish- Bridgeport

Optimus Health Care, Inc.•Bridgeport, CT

80d•Onsite

About The Position

Optimus Health Care, the largest provider of primary health care services in Fairfield County, is seeking a Community Health Worker (CHW) for its primary care clinic in Bridgeport, CT. The CHW will serve as a liaison between medical, behavioral health, home, and community services, providing individualized comprehensive care management and coordination to support patient health and well-being. This role requires working closely with care teams, social services agencies, and community partners, and comfort in working with diverse populations. The ideal candidate is personable, organized, self-directed, has reliable transportation, and is open to a flexible schedule. Strong verbal and written communication skills, along with a commitment to confidentiality, are essential.

Requirements

Spanish/English required
Must be comfortable working with culturally diverse populations (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender identity and sexual orientation).
Highly personable, very organized, self-directed with reliable transportation.
Must be open to working a flexible schedule when needed.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Strong commitment to maintaining a high level of confidentiality.
Professional, positive attitude, understanding of customer service principles, intuitiveness, trustworthiness, and excellent interpersonal skills.
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.
Ability to type into an electronic health record.
High school or equivalent required.
Experience working with an ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse office staff and patient population.
Applicant has a well-developed understanding of chronic disease and its impact on behavioral/mental health treatment.
Excellent interpersonal skills required including, but not limited to appropriate email etiquette, active listening, and thorough revision of all written assignments.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience working with community-based programs for persons with serious psychiatric and addictive disorders helpful.
Knowledge of some medical terminology preferred.
Certification of Community Health Worker formal training program preferred or ability to obtain within the first year of hire.

Responsibilities

Act as the liaison between medical, behavioral health, home, and community.
Provide individualized comprehensive care management and coordination.
Work closely with other members of the care team, social services agencies, and other community partners to assist with coordination of care and services.
Welcome new patients into the practice and introduce the Care Team model and complete designated assessments specific to the patient’s cultural background.
Coordinate all necessary referrals to community resources such as housing, food, clothing, parenting classes, vocational services, and educational resources.
Assist with completion of redetermination forms for social programs.
Work with teams to create a trauma-informed environment for patients.
Perform initial behavioral health pre-screening.
Support safe transitions of care for patients moving between care settings.
Assist with creating, assessing, and re-evaluating patient-centered care plans that include patient self-management goals.
Coach patients in effective management of self-care.
Assist patients in understanding care plans and instructions.
Work with patients and their families/caregivers to remain actively engaged in their health and overall well-being.
Coach patients and their families/caregivers on proper use of the emergency department and offer alternative options.
Participate in community health initiatives, health fairs, and other pertinent events.
Attend and participate in meetings as scheduled or requested.
Attend individual and group supervision with supervisor as required.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with patients, all care team members, as well as agency representatives.
Provide support and advocacy during office visits to assure behavioral health/medical needs and required referrals are conveyed.
Advocate for special accommodations in school, home, community, and healthcare settings, when needed.
Assist with transitioning youth to adult medical and/or behavioral health care.
Identify gaps in health services and coordinate comprehensive healthcare.
Collaborate with school, community partners, home, and healthcare providers to assist with achievement of established goals.
Attend relevant community meetings to build collaboration and cultivate relationships with community members.
Document all patient encounters, including phone calls and/or discussions with collateral agencies in patients’ Electronic Health Record (EHR).
Ensure proper DAP (data/assessment/plan) format when documenting.
Scan all required documentation into EHR: Releases, guardianship, health records, conservatorship, IEP or 504 plan, if applicable.
Develop and update integrated care plan with the care team.
Complete screening tools (CAGE, PHQ9, health literacy, PRAPARE, etc.) on an annual basis.