Community Health Worker

About the role

The Community Healthcare Worker will work with patients, Disease Management-Nurse Navigator, Clinics, Case management and primary care providers and Preventative Medicine Department to ensure patients receive quality, efficient, and cost-effective healthcare services. Assist clients in assessing health related services including but not limited to overcoming barriers to obtaining needed medical care and social services. Coaches patients in effective management of chronic health, preventative care and self-care. Makes arrangements for follow up clinic and provider visits. Assist with documentation including care plans.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

• Aid clients in assessing health related services, including but not limited to: obtaining a medical home, providing instruction on appropriate use of Medical Home, overcoming barriers to obtaining needed medical care and social services.
• Coach patients in effective management of their chronic health conditions and self-care.
• Help patients design and keep a personal health record, develop health management plans and goals.
• Help community members understand the importance of health screenings, immunizations, and routine check-ups.
• Aid community members on how to shop healthy and wisely and help them with finding needed resources as identified.
• Serve as a link and works collaboratively with health care professionals, social services, and the patient/community.
• Takes part in follow up with health management care plans with both patients and providers.
• May at times assist with scheduling and insurance pre-authorizations for services at clinics.
• Continuously expands knowledge and understanding of community resources, operations, functions, and resources available to handle new or unusual situations.
• Effectively works with people from diverse backgrounds in reducing cultural and socioeconomic barriers between clients and institutions.
• Establishes positive supportive relationships with participants and provider’s feedback.
• Helps clients in utilizing resources, including scheduling appointments and assisting with completion of applications for programs for which they may be eligible.
• Maintains Joint Commission, HIPPA, and other regulatory compliance competencies as required.
• Promotes patients to be actively engaged participants in their health and self-care of chronic disease management.
• Promotes safety in environments: workplace and community.
• Works collaboratively and effectively within a team.

Physical Requirements

• Frequent standing, sitting and walking or ability to sit for long periods of time.
• Ability to lift, push, or pull a minimum of 40 pounds.
• Visual acuity (corrected) - keen for both distance and near objects;
• Hearing (aid permitted) - must be able to function without use of lip reading.

Working Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, airborne particles, body fluids, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and risk of radiation.
• The noise level in the environment is usually moderate.
• The environment is clinical in nature and also home based and in the community as well.
• There may be factors and situations encountered or associated with one’s job or work environment that create potential stress, emotional strain and/or other interpersonal problems.

Skills and Abilities

• Capable of independent discretion/decision making, manages stress appropriately and strong organizational and interpersonal skills for working within the healthcare team and with clients.
• Effective oral and written communication.
• Basic Computer skills.
• High level of interpersonal skills, problem solving and strong analytic abilities.