Mental Health Community Health Worker

Southern Indiana Community Healthcare•West Baden Springs, IN

1d•$16 - $20•Hybrid

About The Position

The Mental Health Community Health Worker serves as a trusted bridge between patients, the behavioral health and primary care teams, and community resources. The MHCHW provides culturally responsive, patient-centered, trauma-informed outreach, education, advocacy, practical support, and follow-up to improve access, engagement, and continuity of care. The MHCHW helps patients identify goals and barriers, understand available services, strengthen self-management and coping skills, and connect with needed healthcare and social supports. This is a non-clinical role. The MHCHW does not diagnose, provide counseling or medical advice, make independent clinical decisions, or perform duties outside approved training and scope.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Completion of an approved Community Health Worker certification program within six months of hire is required; the employee must maintain all required certification.
One to two years of experience in behavioral health, healthcare, social services, community health, patient navigation, care coordination, case management, or a related field preferred.
Experience serving underserved or vulnerable populations is strongly preferred.
Strong verbal, written, interpersonal, and active-listening skills with the ability to build trust and rapport across diverse patient populations.
Understanding of common mental health concerns, barriers to care, trauma-informed practice, stigma reduction, professional boundaries, and the limits of a non-clinical scope.
Ability to recognize concerns requiring escalation; connect patients with crisis, healthcare, and social-service resources; and follow established safety and communication procedures.
Strong organization, documentation, prioritization, follow-up, problem-solving, teamwork, reliability, and time-management skills; ability to work independently and within an interdisciplinary team.
Computer proficiency and ability to use an electronic health record, secure communication tools, Microsoft Office, and common office technology while protecting confidentiality.
Reliable transportation and a valid driver's license are required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in an FQHC, community health center, integrated healthcare, primary care, or behavioral health setting
Experience with an EHR or care-management system
Motivational interviewing or other patient-engagement techniques
Peer-support or case-management experience
Knowledge of local resources
Bilingual or multilingual skills appropriate to the patient population

Responsibilities

Establish trusting, respectful relationships with patients and provide consistent, nonjudgmental support using trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices.
Help patients identify personal goals, barriers, strengths, and practical next steps toward improved mental health and overall wellness.
Provide approved, non-clinical education regarding mental health, wellness, coping, self-management, available services, and stigma reduction using clear, plain language.
Review and respond to assigned patient messages and telephone calls within the position's scope; recognize concerns requiring prompt escalation to licensed clinical staff or established crisis resources.
Identify non-clinical barriers involving housing, food, transportation, employment, finances, insurance, social support, safety, technology, or access to healthcare and behavioral health services.
Connect patients with approved community resources and refer patients to Navigator Services for insurance information and enrollment assistance.
Follow up on referrals and missed or overdue appointments, help patients address access barriers, and identify alternative resources when the original connection is unsuccessful.
Maintain an accurate Mental Health Department resource directory and current working relationships with community agencies, schools, hospitals, healthcare providers, and other partners.
Conduct assigned telephone, approved electronic, in-person, and community outreach; document contacts, attempts, referrals, barriers, and outcomes within required timeframes.
Participate in approved health fairs, organizational events, mental health awareness activities, school or community partnerships, and presentations using approved information and materials.
Help patients understand available services, prepare questions, communicate concerns, and participate in care while respecting patient choice and self-determination.
Develop and sustain community relationships that expand access to reliable mental health information and resources; provide or assist with approved mental health education for SICHC employees.
Coordinate closely with the Mental Health Department Manager, Mental Health Director, licensed clinical staff, primary care teams, Navigators, and community partners.
Complete routine correspondence, forms, record requests, outreach tracking, and other approved non-clinical mental health documentation accurately and on time.
Support data collection and quality measures related to patient access, engagement, referral completion, and follow-up; participate in meetings, training, quality initiatives, and departmental activities.
Immediately escalate emergencies, potential harm to self or others, abuse or neglect, safety threats, significant clinical concerns, or any issue outside the MHCHW role according to SICHC procedures.