Community Health Worker

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

11d•$23 - $26•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Family Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC is seeking a Community Health Worker (CHW) for its Street Medicine Program. The CHW helps patients navigate and access community services and other resources, adopt healthy behaviors, and receive coordinated care. The role supports providers and team members through care management and community outreach, with a focus on promoting, maintaining, and improving patient health. It also includes providing social support and informal counseling and advocating for individual and community health needs. This is a full-time, on-site position at USC’s Los Angeles, California office, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Some after-hours and weekend work may be involved. The CHW drives the team vehicle to and from rounds and maintains it; supports scene safety during street visits; builds trusting relationships with patients; and provides ongoing follow-up, referrals, appointment support, and help with applications and enrollment. The CHW works closely with medical providers and community agencies, manages an assigned patient caseload, and documents care management information in the electronic medical record and other software within 24 hours of patient contact. Transporting patients is strictly prohibited.

Requirements

High school education or equivalent; combined experience and education may substitute for the minimum education requirement.
At least 1 year of experience.
Current and valid California driver’s license.
Working knowledge of Los Angeles County cities, local maps, and freeway systems.
Current proof of TB test and updated immunization records for LA County credentialing.
Experience providing medical or clinical guidance.
Experience working with unsheltered and unhoused groups, and/or lived experience with homelessness.
Advanced judgment, analytical, and decision-making skills, including the ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Data gathering and analysis skills.
Excellent time-management skills.
Demonstrated interpersonal, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
Customer service experience.
Discretion and sound decision-making ability.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Ability to build and maintain meaningful relationships with community members and outside agencies.

Nice To Haves

Two years of experience working with people experiencing unsheltered homelessness and/or lived experience with homelessness.
Related undergraduate study and specialized or technical training.
Certifications in CPR, basic life support, and/or mental health first aid.
Experience in community healthcare and/or street medicine.
Understanding and appreciation of the cultural vibrancy and historical significance of communities in Los Angeles and Southern California.
Knowledge or understanding of cultural issues such as immigration, socioeconomic circumstances, and LGBTQIA+ issues.
Fluency in one or more languages in addition to English, such as Spanish, Korean, or American Sign Language.

Responsibilities

Drive the team pickup truck to and from rounds and maintain the vehicle.
Maintain situational awareness and help ensure scene safety during medical, nursing, and allied health street visits.
Conduct community outreach, establish trusting relationships with patients, and provide general support and encouragement.
Provide ongoing patient follow-up, including basic motivational interviewing and goal setting with patients and families.
Contact patients by phone and visit them at home or other settings where they can be found.
Help patients attend appointments, provide appropriate community-service referrals, connect patients with transportation resources, and give appointment reminders in special circumstances. Do not transport patients.
Assist patients with applications and registration forms; conduct eligibility determination, enrollment, and follow-up for uninsured patients.
Coordinate with medical providers to support comprehensive, coordinated care, including scheduling street medicine visits according to the provider’s care plan and following up from initial identification through closure.
Advocate for patients and liaise with community service agencies, including the Department of Human Services, Health Care for the Homeless, hospitals, and support groups.
Record patient care management information in the EMR and other software within 24 hours after patient contact.
Attend staff meetings, training, and other meetings as requested; manage an assigned patient caseload; and perform other duties as assigned.
Work cooperatively with clinical personnel assigned to the same patient.
Learn about community resources relevant to patient and family needs.
Communicate consistently with the Street Medicine team to support patient evaluation.
Maintain effective working relationships and communicate the Street Medicine mission to patients, visitors, and staff.