Community Health Worker

Emory Healthcare•Atlanta, GA

12d•$21 - $25

About The Position

The Community Health Worker supports patients in accessing health-related services, obtaining and appropriately using a medical home, and overcoming barriers to needed medical care and social services. The role addresses patient-specific care gaps in a timely manner by communicating with patients and guiding them through appropriate physicians and care teams. The worker screens patients for social determinants of health, identifies needs, and connects patients with community network partners. The position builds trusting relationships with patients and families, provides general support and encouragement, and listens to feedback about care and facility conditions. It directs concerns to the appropriate care-team member or department, facilitates resolution, and provides timely feedback to patients. The worker documents patient-care information in care-management, EHR, or data-collection software; training is provided. The role also facilitates patients’ journeys through the network through consistent communication and engagement. The Community Health Worker informs patients, families, and visitors about policies, protocols, rights, and responsibilities, and coaches staff and providers on communication styles and cultural perspectives. The worker provides supplemental health-education materials, encourages patients to participate in their health and wellness, and conducts proactive outreach to the attributed population using registries and other analytical tools. Emory Healthcare describes its work environment as supportive and offers benefits, resources, mentorship, development, and leadership programs.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
Experience as a Community Health Worker, experience as a Medical Assistant, or at least 2 years of experience in a patient-care or public-health setting.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team and independently.
Knowledge of healthcare information technology, basic medical terminology, customer-service principles, discharge planning, utilization management, and case management.
Knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Understanding of social determinants of health and health disparities.
Ability to manage time and prioritize activities while remaining flexible.
Effective communication skills with all levels of employees and understanding of basic verbal and non-verbal communication principles.
Skill in mathematical computations.
Ability to work productively with other community agencies and with people of diverse social, economic, and cultural backgrounds.
Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with physicians, supervisors, and other hospital staff.
Ability to work calmly and compassionately with patients, families, staff, providers, and visitors who may be emotionally distraught, angry, or upset, and to handle stressful, difficult, and emotional situations.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree or higher in Social Sciences, Healthcare, or a related field of study.
At least 2 years of experience in a healthcare setting.
Bilingual in Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic, or another language.

Responsibilities

Support patients in accessing health-related services, including obtaining and appropriately using a medical home and overcoming barriers to medical care and social services.
Address patient-specific care gaps in a timely manner by communicating with patients and guiding them through appropriate physicians and care teams.
Screen patients for social determinants of health, identify needs, and connect them with appropriate network partners.
Establish trusting relationships with patients and families and provide general support and encouragement.
Listen to feedback about care and facility conditions; direct concerns to the appropriate team member or department, facilitate resolution, and provide timely feedback to patients.
Record patient-care information in care-management, EHR, or data-collection software.
Facilitate patients’ journeys through the network through consistent communication and engagement.
Inform patients, families, and visitors about policies, protocols, rights, and responsibilities.
Coach staff and providers regarding communication styles and cultural perspectives to support effective patient interactions.
Provide materials to supplement basic health education and encourage patients to be active in their health and wellness.
Conduct proactive outreach to the attributed population using registries and other analytical tools.
Meet mandatory skills competency requirements and promote professional growth and leadership development for oneself and others in the department.