Community Health Worker

About the role

The Community Health Worker (CHW) conducts screenings and navigates individuals to both community resources and medical homes to address non-medical drivers of health (NMDOH). This entry-level role supports patients and community members by identifying barriers such as food insecurity, housing instability, and lack of access to care, facilitating timely connections to services. While engagement with clients is primarily remote, the role is based on-site at a designated Memorial Hermann campus and uses digital tools and contact center-enabled technology. Occasional travel to clinical or community settings may be required. The CHW builds trust, documents social needs, and coordinates with care teams to ensure comprehensive support.

Responsibilities

• Conducts screenings to identify NMDOH and accurately documents patients’ risk levels for each domain (e.g., housing, food, utilities) within the designated electronic medical record system (e.g., EPIC).
• Uses basic motivational interviewing techniques to explore patients’ needs and barriers, supporting the referral process by connecting individuals to appropriate internal or community-based resources through approved digital tools and on-site systems.
• Verifies the accuracy and appropriateness of referrals by confirming key program details with partner agencies to ensure clients are connected to services that align with their needs and eligibility.
• Manages scheduling and follow-up activities by arranging clinical and social service appointments, conducting outreach via phone or digital channels to verify referral completion and impact, and documenting results to ensure service connection and inform care team decisions.
• Conducts follow-up outreach on referrals or appointments made by other Community Health Network teams to confirm service completion and patient satisfaction, and provides additional support or navigation as needed.
• Participates in occasional community-based activities to identify new resources that enhance patient navigation and represents Memorial Hermann at special events or programs in support of broader community health initiatives.
• Provides support, as needed, at other locations outside of their designated Memorial Hermann site, including Community Resource Centers and Food as Health sites, to meet patient and program needs.
• Ensures safe care to patients, staff, and visitors; adheres to all Memorial Hermann policies, procedures, and standards within budgetary specifications including time management, supply management, productivity, and quality of service.
• Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education and skills competency; supports department-based goals which contribute to the success of the organization; serves as preceptor, mentor, and resource to less experienced staff.
• Demonstrates commitment to caring for every member of the community by creating compassionate and personalized experiences. Models Memorial Hermann’s service standards of providing safe, caring, personalized, and efficient experiences to patients and the workforce.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required.

Qualifications

• One of the following certifications is preferred:
  • Community Health Worker (CHW) by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS)
  • Community Health Worker - Instructor (CHW-I) by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS)
  • Community Health Worker - Experience (CHW-E) by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS)
  • Community Health Worker - Training (CHW-T) by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS)
• Previous CHW experience is not required. Experience in healthcare, social services, customer service, or community outreach settings is a plus.
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.
• Basic knowledge of non-medical drivers of health (NMDOH) and an understanding of community resources or willingness to learn.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport across diverse populations.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple referrals and follow-ups.
• Comfortable using digital platforms and technology to support remote engagement and documentation or willingness to learn.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team while maintaining empathy, discretion, and professionalism.
• Experience using Microsoft Word.

Must be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the patient served. Must demonstrate knowledge of the principles of growth and development as it relates to the different life cycles. Specific age groups served by this position include: Neonate, Infant, Pediatric, Adolescent, Adult, Adult/Geriatric.