Community Outreach Specialist

At RWJBarnabas Health, Community Health Workers play a vital role in improving health outcomes by connecting individuals living with or affected by HIV to the care, resources, and support they need to achieve long-term wellness. This role offers the opportunity to partner with patients, healthcare providers, and community organizations to strengthen engagement in care, reduce barriers to treatment, and promote healthy behaviors.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing daily patient census reports to identify current patients, newly diagnosed individuals living with HIV, and patients who have fallen out of care, prioritizing outreach and engagement efforts
• Conducting outreach activities to reconnect patients who have been lost to care after traditional clinical outreach methods have been unsuccessful
• Accompanying patients to medical, behavioral health, substance use treatment, and other supportive service appointments to encourage engagement and continuity of care
• Providing education about HIV, treatment adherence, medication compliance, risk reduction strategies, and safer sexual health practices using patient-centered communication techniques
• Assisting patients with scheduling medical appointments, coordinating transportation, and facilitating referrals to community resources and supportive services
• Offering emotional support, encouragement, and connections to peer and community support networks that promote overall well-being and reduce social isolation
• Collaborating with the Long-Term Care (LTC) team and other interdisciplinary healthcare professionals to discuss patient needs, hospital visits, care plans, and outreach priorities
• Maintaining timely and accurate documentation, monitoring emails and voicemail communications, and responding promptly to patient and team inquiries
• Building strong relationships with patients, healthcare providers, community agencies, and partner organizations to improve access to services and remove barriers to care
• Participating in regular supervision meetings, team discussions, and professional development activities to review accomplishments, address challenges, and support continuous improvement
• Promoting a positive, respectful, and collaborative work environment while maintaining professionalism in all interactions with patients, colleagues, and community partners

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Valid New Jersey driver's license with the appropriate endorsements required to operate Jersey City Medical Center vehicles
• Maintaining a driving record that meets organizational requirements
• Experience and knowledge of HIV care, treatment, and community resources are preferred
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and documentation skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams, community organizations, and patients to promote engagement in care, treatment adherence, and improved health outcomes

Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Medical and Prescription Drug Insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Retirement Plans
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Life & Accidental Death Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Wellness Programs
• Voluntary Benefits (e.g., Pet Insurance)
• Discounts through our partners such as NJ Devils, NJ PAC, Verizon, and more

Pay

$18.41 per hour

Schedule

Full-Time, Day Shift

Location: 355 Grand Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302