Community Health Worker (U) (4774)

Southern Illinois University School of Medicine•Springfield, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This position provides direct services to individuals in a program funded to care for patients and clients who may not fit well within the standard medical model. The Community Health Worker collaborates with medical providers, primary care teams, the health center site, patients’ primary care providers, Local Health Departments, and Community Based Organizations to improve outcomes and care. The role aims to reduce disparities in health emergencies, advocate for patients’ social and environmental needs, provide wrap-around services, and build trust that supports continued care for socially vulnerable populations. This position is onsite only. The role involves explaining program requirements, assessing participants’ needs, helping them set and reach personal goals, and connecting them with community resources. Support may be provided in person, by phone, or in groups and includes skill-building and other supportive interventions to help patients access resources, manage illness symptoms, develop daily living skills, and pursue independence, employment, and other meaningful activities. The worker also assists with transportation to appointments, maintains program records, and attends required administrative and training meetings. Applicants must meet a three-year (36-month) qualification threshold through qualifying coursework in social work, behavioral sciences, or a closely related field; progressively responsible paraprofessional social service or counseling experience under qualified supervision; or a combination of these. An out-of-state resident hired into the position must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of the start date. Pre-employment background screening is required.

Requirements

Meet a total of three years (36 months) through any one or combination of the following: qualifying coursework in social work, behavioral sciences, or a closely related field; progressively more responsible paraprofessional-level social service or counseling work experience under qualified supervision.
Coursework is measured by the stated conversion: 30 semester hours equals one year; an associate’s degree (60 semester hours) equals 18 months; 90 semester hours equals two years; a bachelor’s degree (120 semester hours) equals three years.
Working knowledge of human nature.
Ability to interview individuals to determine physical, social, and/or possible psychological needs.
Ability to organize, prepare, and maintain records, reports, files, and correspondence.
Ability to obtain services necessary to meet participants’ needs.
Ability to establish effective working relationships with program participants and staff.
Out-of-state residents hired into the position must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of their start date.
Complete pre-employment background screening.

Responsibilities

Explain program requirements and guidelines to the general public.
Develop community resource materials that are current and reflective of the local community.
Conduct comprehensive interviews and intake assessments to determine the needs of individuals served by the program.
Assist patients in setting and achieving personal goals in person, by phone, or in group settings.
Use skill-building and other supportive interventions to help patients use resources, manage symptoms of illness, and develop daily living skills that support independence, employment, and other meaningful activities.
Connect patients with community resources, including housing, medical care, education, vocational training, and recovery resources or meetings.
Assist patients with transportation to medical and other related appointments.
Prepare and maintain written records as needed by the program.
Participate in required administrative and training meetings to ensure adherence to policies and protocols.
Complete other duties as assigned.