Outreach Worker - Driver (Health Care for the Homeless)

About Us

Harris Health is the public healthcare safety-net provider established in 1966 to serve the residents of Harris County, Texas. As an essential healthcare system, Harris Health champions better health for the entire community, with a focus on low-income uninsured and underinsured patients, through acute and primary care, wellness, disease management and population health services. Ben Taub Hospital (Level 1 Trauma Center) and Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital (Level 3 Trauma Center) anchor Harris Health's robust network of 39 clinics, health centers, specialty locations and virtual (telemedicine) technology. Harris Health is among an elite list of health systems in the U.S. achieving Magnet® nursing excellence designation for its hospitals, the prestigious National Committee for Quality Assurance designation for its patient-centered clinics and health centers and its strong partnership with nationally recognized physician faculty, residents and researchers from Baylor College of Medicine; McGovern Medical School at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth); and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

At Harris Health, we prioritize the well-being of our most valuable asset—our people—ensuring a culture of compassion, collaboration and excellence in serving Harris County's most in need. With integrity and accountability at our core, we commit to 'leading with love', embodying our dedication to quality care, education, and a steadfast respect for every individual's contribution to our mission.

About the Role

The Outreach Worker (ORWD) is a key member of the Health Care for the Homeless Program (HCHP) enabling services team, responsible for conducting in-reach, outreach, street medicine, and educational activities for both current health center patients and individuals within the homeless community. The ORWD works directly with patients to assess needs across various aspects of their lives, addressing economic, social, physical, and mental health challenges. Serving as the primary contact for patients in the HCHP target population, the ORWD collaborates with a dedicated care team to improve patients' overall health outcomes.

A primary duty of the ORWD is to safely and punctually drive HCHP mobile units to and from designated locations. The ORWD ensures timely arrival and departure according to assigned schedules. Throughout interactions, the ORWD maintains a friendly, professional, and helpful demeanor with all team members.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-reach, outreach, street medicine, and educational activities for current health center patients and individuals within the homeless community.
• Assess patient needs across economic, social, physical, and mental health aspects.
• Serve as the primary contact for patients in the HCHP target population.
• Collaborate with a dedicated care team to improve patients' overall health outcomes.
• Safely and punctually drive HCHP mobile units to and from designated locations.
• Ensure timely arrival and departure according to assigned schedules.
• Maintain a friendly, professional, and helpful demeanor with all team members.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED; Associate's Degree in a Health Care related field from an accredited college or university preferred.
• Texas State Driver's License or Commercial Driver License.
• Basic Life Support certification from a hospital-based American Heart Association (AHA) approved program.
• Two years of work experience in operating large commercial vehicles, especially relevant for Mobile Medical Fleet Outreach assignments.
• Bilingual (Spanish preferred but not required).
• Must be available by phone or pager after hours.
• Travel to outreach and worksites in the community.
• Able to work with little supervision, handle stressful situations, and have excellent people skills.
• Must be able to interact successfully in a culturally diverse environment.

Skills

• Above average verbal communication (heavy public contact).
• Exceptional verbal communication (public speaking).
• Writing/correspondence and writing/reports.
• Proficiency in PC and MS Word.
• Analytical skills, medical terminology, mathematics, and research.

Schedule

• Flexible schedule including overtime, weekends, and travel.

Equipment Operated

• Copier, Fax, Motor Health/Specialty/Dental Unit(s), PC/Laptop, Printer, Telephone, Cargo Van(s), Lift gate, Hydraulic Jack.