Community Healthcare Worker

VCU Health•Richmond, VA

1d•$17 - $26

About The Position

The Community Healthcare Worker serves as a liaison between patients and families and the health system. The role provides navigation to help patients access care and community resources, improve communication, support follow-up, and promote better quality of life and health outcomes. This is a 12-month grant-funded role. The position supports patients with VCUHS Indigent Care Program eligibility and applications, and helps individuals understand and access public support programs. It screens and navigates patients using approved tools and processes, manages a patient caseload, reviews hospital activity and patient-engagement reports, and documents patient contacts and support activities in approved systems and within required timeframes. The Community Healthcare Worker identifies problems and resources, advocates for access to care, and teaches patients and families to navigate care and practice appropriate self-care independently. Navigation may include making appointments, obtaining specialty-care referrals, encouraging preventive services, and promoting appropriate use of the emergency department. The role also provides culturally appropriate information and education, counsels enrollees to participate actively in their care, and represents the program at community forums and events. The position collaborates on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and provides equitable care appropriate to the ages of patients served, from neonates through older adults.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent education or training.
At least one year of prior experience working in a healthcare and/or community health setting, or on-the-job training and orientation in health sciences, social services, or a related field.
Microsoft Office skills.
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.
Two years of prior experience working 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 its eligibility process, and help patients complete applications to support access to care.
Understand public support programs, including eligibility requirements, application processes, and available services, and help clients access those services.
Screen and navigate patients 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 regarding program access, prevention services, and service utilization.
Identify problems and resources that can help clients address problems, with the goal of teaching patients, families, and others to navigate independently.
Advocate for patients to help assure access to care.
Navigate systems of care while teaching patients about appropriate and timely self-care, including appointment scheduling, specialty-care referrals, appropriate emergency department use, and preventive services.
Provide culturally appropriate information and education to patients, families, and staff.
Counsel enrollees to empower them to become active participants in their healthcare.
Serve as a program liaison at public forums, community health fairs, school events, and church events to inform the community about health and social resources.
Assist program management in addressing barriers to access to resources.
Collaborate on and implement diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the health system.
Provide equitable care appropriate to the ages of patients served on the assigned unit.