Community Health Worker – Men's Health & Community Engagement

Kinston Community Health • Kinston, NC

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Community Health Worker (CHW) serves as a vital connection between patients, Kinston Health, and community resources. This position provides outreach, care navigation, health education, patient follow-up, and resource coordination to help individuals overcome barriers and access healthcare and essential services. Working across clinical, community, mobile, and home-based settings, the CHW supports improved access to care, patient engagement, and positive health outcomes. This role will primarily engage underserved men throughout the community, including agricultural workers, manufacturing and industrial employees, tradespeople, veterans, and others who may be less likely to access traditional healthcare services. The CHW will meet people where they are—at workplaces, community events, outreach programs, neighborhoods, and other community settings—to build relationships and trust that open the door to better health. The CHW will serve as a public health advocate, peer educator, and patient navigator, helping men understand their health, connect with primary and preventive care, overcome barriers to treatment, and access physical, behavioral, and mental healthcare services. This role is vital in reducing health disparities and improving outcomes by bringing healthcare beyond the clinic walls and into the community.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Valid North Carolina driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Comfortable working directly in the community and engaging people from diverse backgrounds.
• Evening and weekend availability.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and coordination skills.
• Ability to build rapport and communicate effectively with patients and individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently in community-based settings and collaboratively with internal departments and community partners.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to safely and efficiently operate mobile unit systems and support clinical staff in patient-care delivery within the scope of the position.
• Must be able to operate all company vehicles safely during both daytime and nighttime hours.

Nice To Haves

• Community Health Worker certificate preferred
• Experience in community outreach, healthcare navigation, case management, home health, personal care, direct support, public health, or other community-based healthcare settings preferred.
• Experience as a Personal Care Aide (PCA), Direct Support Professional (DSP), Home Health Aide (HHA), Home Care Aide, Certified Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide (CNA/NA I), or other entry-level direct-care or patient-support professional is highly valued and provides an excellent foundation for success in this role.
• Experience working with underserved, vulnerable, elderly, disabled, or medically complex populations strongly preferred.
• Experience or training in billing, charge entry, patient registration, administrative support, clinical services, or related healthcare functions preferred.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish preferred.
• Familiarity with electronic health records (EHR) and health management systems preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain an active caseload of no fewer than 250 patients annually, providing outreach, follow-up, care navigation, and resource coordination.
• Conduct outreach activities, including home visits, community education, health screenings, mobile health clinics, and community events as assigned.
• Connect new and existing patients with KCHC primary care providers, medical and behavioral health services, social services, and other community-based resources.
• Complete timely follow-up with patients to address barriers to care, promote continuity of services, and support successful connections to recommended resources.
• Complete social determinants of health risk assessments as assigned and make appropriate referrals based on identified needs.
• Greet and engage patients, visitors, and community members with professionalism, warmth, and respect.
• Support enrollment in Medicaid, HealthCare.gov insurance plans, KCHC's sliding fee discount program, and other healthcare coverage or assistance programs as assigned.
• Educate patients and community members about available programs and assist with applications, renewals, and required documentation.
• Complete patient registration, schedule appointments, enter sliding fee information, and create or update patient records in the electronic health record (EHR) system.
• When assigned, provide Certified Application Counselor (CAC) assistance, support LCEMP participants, and complete social determinants of health risk assessments for Medicare beneficiaries in accordance with established program expectations.
• Represent KCHC at community meetings, health fairs, outreach events, mobile clinics, and other community-based activities as assigned.
• Build awareness of KCHC programs and services to support new patient enrollment, increased service utilization, and improved access to care.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with community organizations, healthcare providers, social service agencies, and other partners.
• Accurately and promptly document patient interactions, outreach activities, referrals, follow-up contacts, charge entries, appointments, screenings, and other required information in NextGen or other assigned systems.
• Track and report assigned performance measures, including patients served, outreach activities, referrals, follow-up completion, screenings, enrollment assistance, and other program-specific outcomes.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives designed to enhance service delivery, patient engagement, operational efficiency, and health outcomes, particularly for underserved and priority populations.
• Support the collection and reporting of data required by KCHC, grantors, funding sources, and regulatory agencies.
• Maintain the confidentiality and security of patient records, applications, personal information, and other sensitive information in accordance with HIPAA, organizational policies, and applicable requirements.
• Perform daily vehicle safety checks as assigned, maintain required documentation, and assist with patient transportation when authorized.
• Attend and participate in meetings, trainings, and professional development opportunities as assigned.
• Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor while representing KCHC.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and organizational needs.

Benefits

• 3 weeks of paid time off
• 11 paid holidays
• 4% dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Opportunities for professional growth while making a lasting impact on the health of our community

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED