Community Health Worker

About the role

The Community Health Worker (CHW) serves as a trusted frontline public health professional who has a close understanding of the community served. The CHW builds strong, relationship-based connections with individuals and families to support health, wellness, and access to services. The CHW serves as a bridge between individuals, families, healthcare providers, social service agencies, and community-based organizations to improve health outcomes, reduce disparities, and promote culturally responsive, patient- and family-centered care. This is a full‑time hybrid position (40 hours/week, 1st shift 8 am‑4:30 pm Monday‑Friday) based in Barberton Primary Care.

Responsibilities

• Conducts home and community-based outreach to build trust with individuals and families.
• Engages individuals using culturally responsive, strengths-based approaches.
• Gathers information to support individualized, person-centered service planning.
• Identifies social drivers of health, barriers to care, and escalates urgent concerns appropriately.
• Partners with individuals and families to establish goals and simple action plans.
• Promotes self-advocacy and informed decision-making aligned with individual preferences and values.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate services and supports.
• Provides referral assistance and navigates healthcare, social services, and community resources.
• Assists with appointment scheduling, applications, and linkage to needed services.
• Delivers culturally responsive health education, coaching, and emotional support.
• Conducts follow-up to monitor progress, confirm service connection, and address emerging needs.
• Documents all activities and outcomes in compliance with organizational, regulatory, and confidentiality standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Ability to work effectively with individuals and families from diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds.
• Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement, and motivation.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn community resources and service systems.
• Ability to follow structured data collection and documentation processes.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to function as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to work independently and solve practical problems in community-based settings.
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence and ability to manage stressful or sensitive situations professionally.
• Proficiency in MS Office [Outlook, Excel, Word] or similar software is required.
• Education: High school diploma or GED required.
• Certification: Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association required within 90 days of hire; Community Health Worker certification through the Ohio Board of Nursing required within 2 years of hire.
• Years of relevant experience: None required (lived experience with relevant communities/populations preferred).
• No supervisory experience required.
• Full‑time FTE: 1.0.
• Status: Fixed Hybrid.

Schedule

Full‑time: 40 hours per week, 1st shift 8 am‑4:30 pm Monday‑Friday.