Community Health Worker

Highmark Health • PA, Working at Home - Pennsylvania, PA

12d • $21 - $30 • Remote

About The Position

This is a full-time community-based position requiring frequent travel within the assigned territory. The ECCM Community Health Worker (CHW) is a non-clinical staff member who serves as a bridge between specific communities and the health and social care system. CHW’s develop a deep understanding of community resources and needs. They are knowledgeable about the social, cultural, and environmental barriers patients may face when receiving care and align interventions with each patient’s values and goals. This job serves as a liaison and mediator between members, providers, community centers, and the Organization. Works independently in the community engaging members within a specific target population as defined by the Plan. Works face-to-face with members to provide basic health literacy, linkage to community resources, and assistance navigating the healthcare system and brings education and support to members in the community and serves as a healthcare advocate for members. The goal is to outreach and engage members to improve health outcomes, close care gaps and improve overall wellness by connecting members to providers and community resources and develop partnerships with community centers and local community-based resources to support the needs of the members as well as the community. The incumbent works closely with the care management department to refer members for additional support and education beyond the job's scope of practice.

Requirements

• Minimum High School Diploma/GED
• Minimum 1 year of experience in a health care related customer service or marketing environment that would demonstrate the ability to positively impact the engagement of members in the organization's condition and case management programs
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer service. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services
• The ability to interact well with peers, supervisors and customers and work as a team member
• Ability to solve problems independently and creatively and be proactive, self-directed, assertive and creative in problem solving and system planning
• Ability to handle many tasks simultaneously and respond to customers and their issues promptly
• Possess good written and oral communication skills
• Have an appreciation of cultural diversity and sensitivity towards the Medicaid population with demonstrated expertise in topics related to cultural competency including working with members with limited English proficiency.
• Be aware of issues members face related to healthcare including transportation, childcare, lack of knowledge concerning preventive health, distrust of the system as well as other personal, social, financial barriers
• Must demonstrate patience and empathy when interacting with members and all internal/external customers

Nice To Haves

• Basic medical terminology background
• Experience with the targeted community or population
• Community Health Worker experience

Responsibilities

• Initiate outreach efforts, face-to-face, related to targeted preventive health, maternity, care transitions and chronic condition initiatives.
• Educate member(s) on the importance of targeted preventive health services, assess opportunity for care management intervention and make appropriate referrals, including referrals to the Behavioral Health Managed Care Organization (BHMCO) as needed.
• Contact member(s), providers and community agencies to coordinate access to preventive health services.
• Develop a rapport with members and community centers to establish a supportive relationship which empowers members to take an active role in their health and wellness.
• Assist members with completing a Health Risk Assessment, identifies/providing direction to managing healthcare barriers (i.e. knowledge deficit, transportation, financial), scheduling appointments, and answering questions.
• Collaborate with human services providers such as Head Start Programs, WIC, community centers, and homeless shelters; as well as state agencies such as Children and Youth Services (CYS) and juvenile probation in the identification and outreach to members in need of services.
• Understand the Organization's lines of business and benefits for members in order to provide accurate and current information to member in the community.
• Contribute to the development and preparation of educational materials for members and providers.
• Conduct provider and community training on Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) services and other special preventive health initiatives.
• Provide summary and outcomes of training to management and peers.
• Participate in the development of programs that are effective, measurable and innovative, with a special emphasis on reaching at risk members.
• Represent the company at community events, including events sponsored by community centers.
• Other duties as assigned or requested.
• Complete initial and focused follow-up assessments, provide social support, and advocate for patient and caregiver needs while addressing Social Determinants of Health.
• Complete and facilitate home visits.

Benefits

• Highmark Health and its affiliates prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on any category protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

What This Job Offers

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