Community Health Worker (Community Programs)

Johns Hopkins School of Nursing (JHSON) Neighborhood Nursing Initiative actively promotes primary and secondary prevention services through team-based care delivered directly in homes and community hubs across Somerset County, including libraries, senior centers, faith-based organizations, and other identified community sites. The Community Health Worker (CHW) is paired with a Registered Nurse (RN) to identify and link community members to health and social resources in their neighborhoods.

Responsibilities

• Meet with individuals and families in a variety of community settings including homes, community centers, libraries, and other hub sites throughout Somerset County.
• Establish rapport with community members and serve as a trusted liaison between participants and the Neighborhood Nursing team.
• Conduct social determinants of health (SDOH) screenings and health risk assessments.
• Link and help enroll participants into community resources including health insurance, primary care, specialty care, behavioral health, housing, transportation, food support, and utility support.
• Effectively use motivational interviewing techniques to engage and coordinate care/services for participants.
• Provide participant-centered services using a trauma-informed approach.
• Support participants with health education on topics including chronic disease management, mental health, and substance use.
• Provide general information about program services to community members; respond to inquiries face-to-face, over the phone/text, and via web-based platforms.
• Advocate during and accompany participants to medical appointments and community services as needed.
• Initiate and assist in developing strong community relationships in Somerset County.
• Attend community meetings and other activities that cultivate trust.
• Support with program expansion and hub creation in Somerset.
• Develop and distribute health education and training materials for participants and community members.
• Lead and support community outreach events, including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Participate in local/state meetings, conferences, and community events, maintaining and seeking partnerships with governmental and non-governmental agencies engaged in community health.
• Collaborate, communicate, and coordinate follow-up care with the Neighborhood Nursing team and Registered Nurse partner.
• Use the Neighborhood Nursing data management system to input data and documentation in a timely manner.
• Document and record outcomes of referrals and appointments.
• Monitor recruitment and retention of program participants.
• File, retrieve, and maintain participant records in accordance with confidentiality requirements.
• Create and produce reports.
• Complete trainings as assigned by JHSON.
• Submit timesheets in a timely and accurate manner.
• Perform all work activities per established protocols and procedures.
• Reliable transportation required to travel to community sites throughout Somerset County.

Requirements

• High school diploma or graduation equivalent.
• Two years of related experience.
• Additional education may substitute for required experience and additional related experience may substitute for required education beyond a high school diploma/graduation equivalent, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in a Human Services field.
• Two years of experience working in community/public health, assisting individuals with access to medical care and linking resources to address social needs.
• Sensitivity to cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the population served in rural Somerset County.
• Excellent oral interpersonal and communication skills.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented with strong time management skills.
• Motivated and self-directed with the ability to work collaboratively with other research and program staff.
• Problem-solving skills and proven ability to work efficiently and meet deadlines.
• Comfortable working in the field, including interacting regularly with diverse community members about health-related topics.
• Familiarity with clinical studies, IRB procedures, or HIPAA standards is a plus.
• Experience working with and/or being from the Somerset County or Eastern Shore community strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to work independently and prioritize multiple tasks.
• Must be willing to complete community health worker training if necessary.

Those under final consideration will be required to undergo a criminal background investigation.

Pay

$15.70 - $26.25 hourly ($40,950 targeted).

Schedule

Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM (flexibility including evenings and weekends required for community outreach).

Location

School of Nursing - Somerset County, including Princess Anne, Westover, and Crisfield.