Community Health Worker – Strong Beginnings

About the role

The Community Health Worker provides culturally responsive home-visiting, education, outreach, care coordination, and resource support to women, pregnant and postpartum individuals, infants, and families. This position works as part of a multidisciplinary team with social workers, nurses, healthcare providers, and community partners to improve maternal, infant, and family health outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Conduct visits in patient homes, community locations, virtually, and in the clinic.
• Build trusted relationships with women and families.
• Provide culturally responsive education, peer support, and resource navigation.
• Support prenatal, postpartum, interconception, infant, and family health needs.
• Help patients overcome barriers to healthcare and community services.
• Aid in transportation, interpretation, telehealth, and other access needs.
• Follow up on referrals, missed appointments, and identified patient needs.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate degree or higher preferred but not required.
• Certified Community Health Worker from an approved or accredited program is preferred.
• Candidates who are not currently certified must complete an approved Community Health Worker training and certification program within 180 days of hire.
• Experience in healthcare, home visiting, maternal and infant health, social services, or a community-based setting preferred but not required.
• Experience working with women, pregnant and postpartum individuals, infants, and families preferred but not required.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish, Mam, or K’iche’ is strongly preferred.
• Ability to provide culturally responsive and linguistically accessible support is required.
• Ability to provide basic knowledge of maternal and infant health, public health, and community resources.
• Ability to manage a caseload, schedule patient visits, and complete timely documentation.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic health record systems.

Scheduling and Travel

This is a home-visiting and community-based position requiring local travel. The role requires flexibility for occasional evening patient visits and weekend outreach events.

Physical Requirements

• Standing: Occasionally
• Sitting: Frequently
• Independently mobile between clinic, patient homes, and community locations
• Frequent typing, grasping, and fine motor tasks
• Ability to lift up to 10 pounds occasionally

Equipment, Tools, and Technology

• Desktop or laptop computer
• Telephone with voicemail
• Networked copier, printer, and scanner
• Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Electronic Health Record software, including NextGen

Environmental Factors

• Work is performed in clinic, office, patient home, and community settings.
• The role includes local travel, occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions, and possible exposure to individuals experiencing illness or infection.

Supervision

Received by this position: Work is completed independently, with progress reviewed through supervision and regular check-ins.

Client Population Served

Women, pregnant and postpartum individuals, infants, and families participating in Strong Beginnings and related maternal and infant health services.

Who We Are

Cherry Health, Michigan’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), operates in six counties across the state, is based in Grand Rapids. With a team of more than 800 health care professionals at 20 locations, Cherry Health focuses on removing barriers, expanding access, and delivering comprehensive quality health care services to underserved communities, regardless of an individual’s insurance status or ability to pay. We provide primary care, dental, vision, behavioral health, pharmacy services, substance abuse services, residential re-entry services, school-based health centers and more.

Our Mission

Cherry Health improves the health and wellness of individuals by providing comprehensive primary and behavioral health care while encouraging access by those who are underserved.

Our Vision

Our community will be healthier because we will seek out and welcome those who need our services. All will be treated as family with integrated, coordinated care to improve health and personal well-being.

Our Values

• Collaboration – Support the Cherry Health mission by encouraging teamwork to accomplish organizational goals.
• Customer Service – Serve internal and external customers in a welcoming manner with compassionate care.
• Innovation – Embrace creativity to improve patient care and workplace efficiency while remaining curious and open to learning.
• Integrity – Uphold the highest ethical standards by being honest and trustworthy.
• Professionalism – Create a positive work environment where we care accountable for our decision, our action and the results.

Benefits

• Loan repayment through the NHSC and Michigan State Loan Repayment Program for select roles
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance for you and your family
• Generous Paid Time Off benefit – 4 weeks per year for full time
• Paid holidays - 8 full day paid holidays (Including Black Friday!) and 2 half day paid holidays!
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with generous employer match - $ for $ match up to 5% MET and MESP
• 529 Savings Plans
• Pet Insurance!
• Employee Assistance Program