Community Health Worker

COPE Health Solutions•Santa Rosa, CA

13d•$26 - $29

About The Position

The Community Health Worker (CHW) helps patients and families navigate and access community services and other resources, adopt healthy behaviors, and address barriers to care. The CHW supports providers and Case Managers through integrated care management and community outreach, with the goal of promoting, maintaining, and improving the health of patients and their families. The role provides social support and informal counseling, advocates for individual and community health needs, and helps members enroll in Enhanced Care Management (ECM) services. The CHW builds trusting relationships with patients and families, provides follow-up and encouragement, supports goal setting and self-care, and helps members navigate the health care system. The position involves outreach and visits in clinics, facilities, homes, and other settings; coordination with care teams and community organizations; and documentation of member interactions in the medical record and other software within 24 hours. The CHW manages an assigned patient caseload and maintains HIPAA compliance. This is a regular position based in Chico, California, with travel up to 80%. The schedule lists both full-time (40 hours) and part-time (20 hours) options. The role reports to a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has no direct reports.

Requirements

Valid California Driver's License.
High school graduate or equivalent required.
Experience working in a multicultural setting.
Willingness to learn about and understand different cultures, perspectives, and norms.
Basic computer skills required.
Good communication skills, including listening well and using language appropriately.
Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement, and motivation to patients.
Good organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple priorities while remaining professional and calm.
Effective telephone skills.
Strong confidentiality practices due to the sensitivity of materials and information handled.
Ability to make suggestions regarding workflow or system efficiency and effectiveness.
Ability to work independently, be self-directed and flexible, and prioritize tasks.
Ability to perform functions with minimal supervision and maintain accuracy in a high-volume environment.
Commitment to the mission of the COPE Health Solutions ECM Program and to professionalism, respect, honesty, dignity, excellence, and teamwork.

Nice To Haves

Associate's Degree in Business Administration or a related field.
Successful completion of a formal Community Health Worker training program, such as one offered by a college or other educational institution.
Written and oral fluency in English and Spanish.
One to two years of experience working in a community-based setting.
Electronic medical record (EMR) experience.
Knowledge of and connectedness to the community served.

Responsibilities

Educate members about ECM services, assist with enrollment, and serve as the primary liaison between members and services they may need.
Support individuals and families as they navigate the health care system and transition toward improved self-care and health care management.
Establish trusting relationships with patients and families and provide general support and encouragement.
Provide ongoing follow-up, basic motivational interviewing, and goal setting with patients and families.
Bridge conversations with members, remove barriers to health and social services, and conduct face-to-face outreach for appointment scheduling, needs assessment, and care gap closure.
Meet members in clinics, facilities, or homes to identify social determinants of health affecting their health and well-being.
Collaborate with the full care team to create individualized, linguistically and culturally appropriate care plans for enrolled members.
Help members access health-related services and community resources, including accompanying them to specialist appointments and helping with enrollment forms.
Facilitate communication among members, families, colleagues, and community-based organizations as needed.
Document interactions with and on behalf of members in the medical record.
Follow up with patients by phone, through home visits, and in other settings where patients can be found.
Help patients set personal health-related goals and attend appointments.
Refer patients to community agencies as appropriate.
Help patients connect with transportation resources and provide appointment reminders in special circumstances.
Maintain excellent working relationships with patients, visitors, and staff, and communicate CHS's mission effectively.
Work closely with medical providers to help ensure patients have comprehensive and coordinated care plans.
Collaborate with other clinical personnel assigned to the same patient.
Maintain knowledge of community resources appropriate to patients' and families' needs.
Communicate consistently with the Case Manager to evaluate patient and family status, ensuring information and reports clearly describe progress.
Act as a patient advocate and liaison between patients, families, and community service agencies.
Record patient care management information in the EMR and other software no later than 24 hours after patient contact.
Manage an assigned caseload of patients.
Maintain HIPAA compliance and protect confidential program, patient, and employee information.
Maintain availability to work weekends as required by program and operational needs.
Perform duties punctually, professionally, cooperatively, and in a timely manner with a minimum of errors.