Community Health Worker - Salinas

COPE Health Solutions•Salinas, CA

About The Position

The Community Health Worker (CHW) helps patients and families navigate and access community services and other resources, and supports healthy behaviors. Working with providers and Case Managers through integrated care management and community outreach, the CHW helps promote, maintain, and improve patients’ and families’ health. The CHW provides social support and informal counseling, advocates for individual and community health needs, and serves as a liaison between members and the services they need. The role supports Enhanced Care Management (ECM) members through enrollment assistance, outreach, follow-up, needs assessment, care gap closure, and support as they navigate the health care system. The CHW helps members develop self-care and health care management skills, establish personal health goals, attend appointments, and overcome barriers to health and social services. The CHW works with members in clinics, facilities, homes, and other settings, and collaborates with the care team to develop individualized, linguistically and culturally appropriate care plans. The CHW maintains member interaction and care management information in the electronic medical record and other software within 24 hours of contact, manages an assigned caseload, communicates member status to the Case Manager, and maintains HIPAA compliance. The role is based in Salinas, California, with travel up to 80%. It is a regular, full-time position reporting to a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with no direct reports. Weekend availability may be required based on program and operational needs.

Requirements

Valid California Driver’s License.
High school graduate or equivalent.
Basic computer skills.
Experience working in a multicultural setting.
Willingness to learn about and understand diverse cultures, perspectives, and norms.
Good communication skills, including listening well and using language appropriately.
Ability and willingness to provide patients with emotional support, encouragement, and motivation.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information appropriately.
Good organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities while remaining professional and calm.
Effective telephone skills.
Ability to suggest workflow or system improvements.
Ability to work independently, be self-directed and flexible, and perform duties with minimal supervision.
Ability to prioritize and perform accurate work in a high-volume setting.
Commitment to the ECM Program mission, professionalism, teamwork, and respectful treatment of patients, families, and health care team members.
Ability to perform required work conscientiously and on time, maintain punctuality, and present a professional appearance.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s Degree in Business Administration or a related field.
Successful completion of a formal Community Health Worker training program through a college or other educational institution.
Written and oral fluency in English and Spanish.
One to two years of experience working in a community-based setting.
Electronic medical record (EMR) experience.
Knowledge of and connectedness to the community served.

Responsibilities

Educate members about ECM services, assist with enrollment, and serve as a primary liaison between members and needed services.
Support individuals and families as they navigate the health care system and transition toward improved self-care and health care management.
Build trusting relationships with patients and families and provide general support and encouragement.
Provide ongoing follow-up, basic motivational interviewing, and goal-setting support to patients and families.
Bridge conversations with members and help remove barriers to accessing health and social services.
Conduct face-to-face outreach to assigned members for appointment scheduling, needs assessment, and care gap closure.
Meet members in clinics, facilities, homes, or other settings to identify social determinants of health affecting their health and well-being.
Collaborate with the care team to create individualized, linguistically and culturally appropriate care plans for enrolled members.
Help members access health-related services and community resources, including accompanying them to specialist appointments and assisting with enrollment forms.
Facilitate communication among members, families, colleagues, and community-based organizations as needed.
Document member interactions and care management information in the medical record and other software within 24 hours of contact.
Follow up with patients by phone, home visits, and visits to other settings where they can be found.
Help patients set personal health-related goals and attend appointments.
Refer patients to community agencies and services as appropriate.
Help patients connect with transportation resources and provide appointment reminders in special circumstances.
Work closely and collaboratively with medical providers and other clinical personnel to support comprehensive, coordinated care plans.
Maintain consistent communication with the Case Manager about patient and family status and progress.
Act as a patient advocate and liaison between patients, families, and community service agencies.
Manage an assigned caseload and maintain HIPAA compliance.
Maintain professional and effective working relationships with patients, visitors, and staff, and communicate the organization’s mission.
Remain available to work weekends when required by program and operational needs.