Community Health Worker

Cedars-Sinai•Los Angeles, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Health Worker (CHW) supports patients and their social and clinical needs by helping them navigate and access community resources, social services, and medical systems. CHWs work in collaboration with clinical care teams, which consists of Case Managers, Social Workers, Physicians and Nurses, from the Emergency Department (ED), inpatient and outpatient environments, and the medical network to identify and assist patients with their health related social needs and provide support with removing barriers both within the hospital and post discharge. The CHW functions as a liaison between medical staff, the patient, and the community by facilitating access to healthcare and social services through assessment, care coordination, and other case management activities, thus reducing the stress of the patient as well as the medical team.

Requirements

Supports patients and their social and clinical needs by helping them navigate and access community resources, social services, and medical systems.
Works in collaboration with clinical care teams, which consists of Case Managers, Social Workers, Physicians and Nurses, from the Emergency Department (ED), inpatient and outpatient environments, and the medical network to identify and assist patients with their health related social needs and provide support with removing barriers both within the hospital and post discharge.
Functions as a liaison between medical staff, the patient, and the community by facilitating access to healthcare and social services through assessment, care coordination, and other case management activities.

Responsibilities

Engages, builds rapport, establishes a trusting relationship and continuous candid communication with patients/participants and patient/participant support systems.
Assesses social drivers of health needs in patients/participants and documents appropriately.
Determines social drivers of health concerns/ gaps, establishes goals of care, and develops a treatment plan to address moderate social and health disparities.
Assists patients/participants with problem-solving barriers to health stabilization by identifying, locating, connecting to and navigating needed community and medical system services including visiting patients at their homes, accompanying patients to appointments and assisting patients with completing applications to access needed services.
Conducts proactive follow up with patients/participants and families to ensure they receive the recommended care and services and reduce barriers in accessing resources. Engages in crisis intervention when determined appropriate.
Works collaboratively and professionally with other fields of the clinical health care team including physicians, nurses, , social workers, case managers, and other patient navigators.
Establishes professional relationships and partners with community collaborators, community resources, health plans and providers by participating in local community engagement activities with local agencies (e.g. community-based organizations, social service agencies, faith-based organizations, community centers, government agencies, etc.) to promote support for continued involvement and cooperation in community health projects.
Identifies gaps in community resources and supports the implementation of new solutions or services to close identified gaps.
Provides outreach and engagement at community health and resource fairs and events to promote the department programs, services, and provide resource navigation to community members.
Work independently to fulfill general requests. Works with internal team to solve more complex issues.
Provides overall programmatic support, including data collection and analysis, program evaluation, and other administrative duties as assigned.
Integrates within multidisciplinary hospital clinical teams by attending rounds, weekly huddles, case consultations, etc., to effectively identify and address patient needs.
Promotes patient satisfaction by ensuring the wellbeing of patients by attempting to fulfill their needs, while reducing the stress on the patient. May interact with their families and care givers to diffuse anxiety and fear through provision of information, education, and support.
Assist patients and families navigate the discharge process including access to community programs, services, and health insurance information. Advocate through engagement, outreach and providing linkage to resources such as primary care and/or psychiatric clinics.