Bilingual Community Health Worker

Why This Role Matters:  The mission of the NVFS Community Health (CH) service area is to increase opportunities for everyone to live the healthiest life possible. NVFS aims to achieve this goal by reducing health disparities in underserved communities through these services: 

• Health Access: Increases access to health services and health coverage options for clients who experience low-income and/or have no or insufficient health insurance.
• Community Health: Provides educational and supportive services to individuals, families and communities in their efforts to achieve optimal health outcomes. Community Health Workers may be assigned to one CH program or across multiple program areas.

The Community Health Worker (CHW) navigates the social service system and advocates for individuals, family members, and community members. Cultural competency of the community they serve provides the foundation of the work and is integral to each component of the job duties below. 

Compensation: We want you to be well, have work/life flexibility, grow your career with us, and have the resources and support you need. Check out our comprehensive benefit offerings here in support of various dimensions of your wellbeing.

This position has a starting salary is high 40s and is a hybrid role.

In this role, you will be responsible for:  

Direct Service to Clients:

• Work with clients (and/or client’s family members) to support their individual health goals.
• Provide peer health education and support to families across various NVFS programs, as assigned, through individual encounters (in person at the office, in a co-located clinic, at a public library or other public space, or via phone/electronic communication) to assess client needs and concerns as they relate to their family, their community and their health and provide health information and education.
• Help clients develop individualized health improvement plans.
• Make referrals to family support, health, and social services agencies tailored to client needs and follow up with individuals to ensure services are received.
• Provide timely application assistance within the scope of the assigned program (e.g., applications for hospital financial aid or other medical charity care, applications for free clinics or Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers (FQHCs), help with Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) for prescription medication assistance, etc), referrals to community resources as needed and follow up to ensure services are received.
• Provide ongoing support and services of clients as needed, and as defined within the assigned program.

Programmatic Support:

• Participate in networking and collaboration meetings that address the concerns of the assigned program area and the organization.
• Collect data and information as required by the evaluation plan and processes.
• Use assigned technology to complete job functions effectively.
• Ensure program resources are applied responsibly in carrying out program goals.
• Coordinate activities within the program as needed.
• Participate in regular supervision with supervisor and provide regular updates.
• Remain current on knowledge of standards and other program-related information.
• Enter data for record keeping and reporting to meet relevant guidelines.

Organizational Support:

• Develop relationships – in partnership with the Program Supervisor – with local health care and social services providers and provide them with information to help them better serve the community.
• Represent organization in meetings with providers and clients, as needed.
• Participate as a member of various teams, as needed.
• Actively participate in, and successfully complete, training provided by organization and other agencies.
• Assist in completing other program goals and requirements.
• Perform all functions and activities within the guidelines and philosophy set forth in NVFS’ Strategic Plan, policies, mission, goals and vision.

Your Background: We understand that you may obtain skills through a variety of professional, personal, educational, and volunteer experiences.

• Understands and is part of the community being served
• Experience in community work, education, health care, or related field preferred
• Oral and written fluency in English; oral Spanish fluency
• Demonstrated ability to provide culturally appropriate service delivery, group facilitation and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to communicate respectfully, clearly, effectively, tactfully and patiently in-person and on the phone to a diverse population
• Displays empathy, respect, and understanding of community resources, programmatic goals, and understanding of organizational values and processes
• Digital and technical proficiency, including working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Must be able to demonstrate and live the organizational values of Communication, Integrity, Respect, Collaboration, and Accountability

Additional requirements:

• Successful completion of background checks
• Must have reliable transportation to conduct client visits as needed and visit other designated community locations
• May be called upon to work beyond normal working hours

Working at Northern Virginia Family Services (NVFS) means doing work that matters every day because of the difference you will make in the lives of children and families in Northern Virginia. NVFS’ breadth, depth and scope of services offer the resources and support to ensure that everyone in need, at every stage of life, maximizes their potential and fully contributes to a thriving community. At NVFS, we value every team member’s contribution and our collective impact on our clients and the community. NVFS is an equal opportunity employer, E-Verify participant and drug-free workplace.