Community Healthcare Worker

VCU Health•Richmond, VA

About The Position

The Community Healthcare Worker serves as a liaison between patients and families and health systems, helping people access care and community resources and improving communication, follow-up, quality of life, and health outcomes. This is a 12-month grant-funded role. The position supports patients with the VCUHS Indigent Care Program and public support programs, including eligibility and application processes. The worker screens and navigates patients using approved tools and processes, documents contacts and clinical support activities in approved systems, and manages a caseload according to program productivity requirements. The role includes contacting or visiting patients to discuss program access, prevention services, and service utilization; identifying problems and resources; advocating for patients; and teaching patients and families to navigate care and practice appropriate self-care independently. The Community Healthcare Worker helps patients make appointments, obtain specialty referrals, use emergency services appropriately, and access preventive care. The role also provides culturally appropriate information and education to patients, families, and staff; counsels enrollees to participate actively in their care; represents the program at public forums and community events; and works with program management to address barriers to resources. The position supports diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and provides equitable care appropriate to patients across the lifespan, from neonates through older adults.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent education or training.
At least one year of prior experience in a healthcare and/or community health setting, or on-the-job training and orientation in health sciences, social services, or a related field.
Knowledge of Microsoft Office.
Communication and organizational skills.
Critical-thinking skills.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor's degree in health sciences or social services from an accredited program.
At least two years of prior experience in a healthcare and/or community health setting, or on-the-job training and orientation in health sciences, social services, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Understand the VCUHS Indigent Care Program and eligibility process, and help patients complete applications to access care.
Understand public support programs, including eligibility requirements, application processes, and available services, and assist eligible individuals in obtaining services.
Provide screening and navigation using approved tools and processes designed to meet TJC requirements.
Document patient contacts and clinical support activities in accordance with VCUHS policies, procedures, standards, and specified timeframes.
Manage a patient caseload and meet program productivity requirements.
Use hospital activity and patient engagement reports to contact or visit patients about program access, prevention services, and utilization of services.
Identify patient problems and available resources, with the goal of teaching patients, families, and others to navigate independently.
Advocate for patients and help them navigate systems of care while teaching appropriate and timely self-care.
Assist patients with appointments, specialty-care referrals, appropriate emergency department use, and preventive services.
Provide culturally appropriate information and education to patients, families, and staff.
Counsel enrollees to encourage active participation in their healthcare.
Represent the program at public forums, community health fairs, and school and church events to inform the community about health and social resources.
Assist program management in addressing barriers to accessing resources.
Support diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and initiatives through collaboration and implementation.
Provide equitable care appropriate to the ages of patients served, including neonates, infants, children, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics.
Use universal precautions and personal protective equipment and follow infection-control policies.