Community Health Worker

Sanford Health•Chamberlain, SD

7d•$21 - $33

About The Position

The Community Health Worker (CHW) serves as a bridge between underserved communities and health and social service systems. This non-clinical role works within the patient-centered medical home model and its team approach to chronic disease self-management. The CHW provides information and assistance to help patients navigate complex health and human services systems, advocates for individual and community health needs, and builds capacity for access to services and community engagement. The role involves engaging patients in their care through non-judgmental communication, active listening, relationship building, and collaboration with an interprofessional team on goal setting and care planning. The CHW gives presentations to community groups, coordinates appointment attendance and individual care plans, and helps patients develop problem-solving skills and take an active role in their health care. The position requires cultural sensitivity and knowledge of ethnic and cultural populations, government partners, community stakeholders, and other organizations. The CHW documents assigned activities and community-member support, follows applicable supervision and regulatory requirements, stays within the scope of the role, and does not provide medical advice. Strict adherence to patient privacy laws is essential.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Motivational Interviewing skills, with training to be completed within six months of hire.
Proof of a Community Health Worker program certificate upon hire or within six months.
Valid driver’s license.
Strong communication, active listening, public speaking, presentation, organization, coordination, and planning skills.
Ability to communicate diplomatically and tactfully, advocate clearly and effectively, and engage patients from a non-judgmental perspective.
Ability to work collaboratively on a team and with community stakeholders.
Knowledge and experience of ethnic and cultural populations, government partners, community stakeholders, and other organizations.
Thorough understanding of self-efficacy theory and its application when working with people who have chronic disease.
Ability to maintain patient privacy and work within the scope of a non-clinical role.

Nice To Haves

College courses.
At least three years of ambulatory care experience.
Experience in community outreach.
Working knowledge of various integrated systems of care in the community.
Personal experience living with a chronic health condition.

Responsibilities

Help patients navigate health and human services systems by providing information and assistance.
Advocate for individual and community health needs and raise awareness of those needs.
Build capacity for access to services and community engagement.
Engage patients in their care through non-judgmental communication and active listening.
Build relationships and work from a team-based perspective.
Collaborate on goal setting and care planning within an interprofessional team.
Give presentations to community groups.
Coordinate appointment attendance and individual plans of care.
Serve as a point person for issues and related solutions while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
Model problem-solving skills that empower patients to take an active role in their health care.
Apply self-efficacy theory when working with people who have chronic disease.
Document assigned activities and support provided to community members.
Provide services under supervision as directed by state or other regulatory requirements.
Stay within the scope of duties and do not give medical advice.
Adhere to patient privacy laws in health care settings and the community.