Worker-Community Health

Baptist•Memphis, TN

10d

About The Position

Community Health Workers (CHWs) will be members of the TN CEAL research team and work as frontline personnel to screen, enroll, support, and track progress of participants in the study who have multiple chronic diseases and live in areas designated as medically underserved or socially vulnerable. CHWs will ensure participants in the study have access to resources needed to meet their physical, mental, and social determinants of health (SDoH) needs. CHWs will use their unique position as trained community members with evidence-based knowledge and lived experience to provide information and education based on their earned trustful relationships in the communities they serve. Given these attributes, the CHWs will facilitate the participants in the study to better understand their health conditions, make effective decisions about them, and cope with challenges to optimizing their holistic health, including navigating the often-complex healthcare system, while helping them strategize to manage the logistics of caring for self in the context of complicated lives. CHWs will engage in activities that promote patient activation, screen and enroll participants in the study, conduct SDoH screens, administer surveys, develop a patient activation plan, maintain regular contact, conduct a minimum of quarterly follow-up visits with participants in the study. Finally, the CHWs will administer a discharge survey, and ensure all surveys and forms are completed.

Requirements

CHW certification or equivalent required.
Commitment: Passion and compassion for working to improve the health and quality of life of people living with multiple chronic diseases. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Knowledge: Knowledge of issues that put people at risk for poorer health, such as homelessness, incarceration, domestic violence, and/or substance use is required. Must have demonstrated knowledge of chronic diseases, such as heart, HIV/AIDS, and mental health, and health care services, along with an interest and ability to expand knowledge through training.
Community Resources: Must have knowledge of regional community resources/services as well as local and national resources/services. Ability to assist participants in the study meet needs related to patient activation, including treatment education, risk reduction, and prevention.
Experience: Prior experience as a CHW preferred. Experience working with people of different races, ethnicities, cultures, religions and socio-economic backgrounds is essential.
Skills: Strong communication skills are necessary. Ability to help people understand their health condition(s) and develop strategies to improve their health and well-being. Demonstrated ability to conduct compassionate, empathetic interviews and conversations that respect the dignity and diversity of clients. Ability to engage staff and clients in a supportive and empowering way. Ability to help manage conflict. Ability to maintain client records and information in an accurate, timely, and confidential manner. Basic computer skills including data entry, Microsoft Office, Email, and use of internet browsers are required.
Personal qualities: Personal qualities include energy, diplomacy, sound practical judgment, the ability to work independently during periods of less supervision; and the interpersonal skills to work effectively in partnership with other program staff and community partners. Basic technology skills, such as use of computer tablets, QR codes, and interactive maps, required. Resourcefulness will be vital to assist participants, as well as demonstrating good judgment and decision-making when working with them.
Education Required: A high school diploma or GED is preferred.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience as a CHW preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct outreach and establish protocols with community partners to refer persons with multiple physical and/or mental health chronic conditions who may benefit from being assigned a CHW to assist them in managing their complete health.
Work to build the trust and confidence of participants in the study.
Screen and enroll participants in the TN CEAL study.
Administer the TN CEAL Common Survey 4 to participants in the study.
Conduct SDoH Screen with participants in the study.
Develop a person-centered patient activation plan for participants in the study.
Help individuals and families access appropriate high-quality health and appropriate social services resources
Assist participants in the study with identifying a patient medical home, making appointments, and addressing barriers to health care services.
Provide accurate information to participants in the study about chronic diseases, physical and mental health, and social services while assisting them with how to access the essential services they need.
Provide personalized assistance to participants to help them engage in healthcare or social services.
Together with staff of community partners, support clients throughout the early part of their care to participate fully by becoming educated and learning how to advocate for themselves.
Help clients develop confidence about their participation in their own treatment plans.
Assist participants in the study in identifying services to address other health and health related resources that impact their optimum well-being such as mental health and substance abuse treatment, domestic violence services, housing programs, and education and employment services.
Using a handheld device or other technology, submit clear and accurate data collection forms for all work performed.
Comply with all study protocols, including those regarding confidentiality of client information.
Complete employee orientation and all mandatory program trainings to guarantee appropriate competency in program requirements.
Participate in all staff and program meetings, site visits with funders, required network events, and mandatory training.
Keep the designated supervisor(s) informed of all problems, challenges and conflicts related to all assignments associated with the job.
Perform other duties assigned by designated supervisor(s).