Community Health Worker

Orchid Health • Oakridge, OR

7d • $21 - $23 • Onsite

About The Position

Orchid Health is hiring a Community Health Worker to help patients and families navigate community services and other resources related to social determinants of health (SDOH), engage with care, and maintain OHP insurance coverage. The role supports providers and the Care Management Team in delivering whole-person care through integrated care management and community outreach. The Community Health Worker also serves as a local community liaison and patient advocate, helping create a welcoming and safe environment and building trusting relationships with patients and families.

The position works collaboratively with patients, families, healthcare teams, and community organizations. It includes outreach, follow-up, care coordination, referrals, documentation in the EHR, and community engagement. The role is based at Orchid Health’s Oakridge Clinic. Local travel during the business day is expected, with occasional out-of-area travel possible for CME events or activities involving other Orchid Health clinics.

Orchid Health describes its workplace as self-managed, with teams sharing day-to-day responsibilities and decisions, supported by peers, coaches, and access to information. The organization emphasizes employee well-being, trusting patient relationships, community health, and financial sustainability. The stated pay is $20.50–$23.25 per hour depending on experience and skills, with a $1.00-per-hour increase at 120 days. Benefits eligibility begins on the first of the month following 30 days of employment.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• One year of relevant experience working with underserved populations with medical and social needs in a social service or community-based setting.
• Understanding of the rural communities served; lived experience is preferred.
• Basic computer skills; EHR experience is preferred.
• Ability to initiate and maintain positive working relationships with patients, staff, and other organizations.
• Good communication skills, including listening well and using language appropriately.
• Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement, and motivation to patients.
• Ability to meet the physical demands described, including intermittent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, reaching, crouching, and lifting or supporting patients.

Nice To Haves

• Higher education beyond a high school diploma or GED.
• Experience working in medical settings and collaborating with healthcare teams.
• Certification as a Traditional Healthcare Worker (THW) or Community Health Worker (CHW); Orchid will compensate for necessary job-related training upon employment.
• Experience with an electronic health record (EHR).
• Lived experience in the rural communities served.

Responsibilities

• Establish trusting relationships with patients and their families, provide general support and encouragement, and create a welcoming and safe environment.
• Conduct initial outreach and engage patients in care-plan goals related to social determinants of health through ongoing follow-up and support.
• Provide ongoing follow-up, basic motivational interviewing, and goal setting around identified SDOH needs with patients and families.
• Participate in an integrated team supporting chronic care management and behavioral health needs.
• Participate as an active member of patients’ care teams by coordinating services and developing care plans.
• Conduct outreach to newly assigned patients and patients losing insurance coverage to help them remain covered on OHP and establish care at Orchid.
• Maintain knowledge of community resources appropriate to patient and family needs.
• Provide resources and referrals to community agencies and follow up to support successful connections.
• Build and maintain relationships with community organizations and partners.
• Engage with the community and act as a community organizer.
• Follow up on all Community Health Worker referrals and document patient contacts in the EHR.
• Record work in the EHR through cases and encounter notes no later than 24 hours after patient contact.
• Maintain effective working relationships with patients, visitors, staff, and community partners while carrying out Orchid Health’s mission.
• Attend regular staff meetings, trainings, and other meetings as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision plans; Orchid pays 100% of monthly premiums for team members and at least 50% of dependent premiums for base medical and dental plans.
• $1,000 per year wellness benefit.
• 401(k) with company match and access to financial planning and wellness resources at no cost.
• Continuing education and continuing medical education budget for all team members.
• Employee Assistance Program providing mental health support, financial planning, and lifestyle training opportunities at no cost to employees.
• 128 hours of paid time off per year, front-loaded annually, with tenure-based increases.
• 40 hours of paid inclement weather and emergency closure leave per year, front-loaded annually.
• Eight paid holidays and a day off for the employee’s birthday.
• Free care at Orchid Health clinics for team members and their families.

What This Job Offers

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