Community Health Worker - All Locations

Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers is looking to hire multiple full-time Community Health Workers supporting one or more of our clinics (Cashton, La Crosse, Reedsburg, Norwalk and Prairie du Chien). The Community Health Worker (CHW) helps patients of Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers identify and overcome non-clinical barriers to health and health care. As a trusted, patient-centered member of the Patient Access team, the CHW builds relationships with patients and families, assesses social drivers of health and practical needs, connects patients with internal and community resources, and provides follow-up to help ensure services and supports are received. Services are available to patients across all services, based on identified need and organizational priorities.

The CHW works collaboratively with Patient Access Coordinators, Outreach and Enrollment Specialists, clinical teams, and community partners. The position emphasizes ongoing navigation, outreach, education, and follow-through for patients with multiple or persistent barriers.

Duties and Responsibilities

Patient Engagement, Assessment & Navigation

• Build trusting relationships with patients and identify barriers to health and care, including food, housing, transportation, finances, language, and other social needs; use approved screening tools as appropriate.
• Help patients set practical goals, navigate services, complete referrals, and connect with internal and community resources.
• Follow up to confirm whether needs were addressed, assist with unresolved barriers, and promptly escalate urgent clinical or safety concerns to appropriate staff.

Team Collaboration & Care Access

• Coordinate with the Help Team, Outreach and Enrollment Specialists, Health Educators, and medical, dental, behavioral health programs, complementary, and pharmacy teams to provide non-duplicative patient support.
• Refer specialized prescription assistance and insurance enrollment or renewal needs to the appropriate team members; participate in patient huddles and referral coordination as assigned.
• Support assigned outreach and appointment follow-up efforts, communicating recurring patient barriers to the CHW Supervisor.

Community Connections & Education

• Maintain current knowledge of local and regional social-service resources, public benefits, food programs, transportation options, housing supports, and other community services.
• Help patients understand available resources and develop confidence in navigating services and advocating for their own needs.
• Build effective relationships with community agencies and participate in outreach events, partner visits, and community activities as assigned.
• Identify recurring gaps in community resources or referral pathways and communicate them to the CHW Supervisor for follow-up and improvement.

Documentation, Quality & Program Requirements

• Document patient contacts, screenings, referrals, follow-up, outcomes, and unmet needs accurately in approved systems, including data required for RHTP grant reporting.
• Follow privacy, consent, safety, and professional-boundary requirements; complete assigned CHW training and contribute to quality improvement.
• Promote Scenic Bluffs mission and values and perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Strong interpersonal communication, listening, organization, problem-solving, and follow-through skills. Ability to build trust with patients from varied backgrounds, maintain professional boundaries, work independently within established protocols, and collaborate with clinical and non-clinical teams. Familiarity with rural community resources, barriers to care, and social drivers of health is preferred. Spanish/English bilingual skills are helpful but not required. Reliable transportation and the ability to travel to assigned clinic and community locations are required.

Education and/or Experience

High school diploma or equivalent required. Experience in community health, patient navigation, human services, outreach, social services, or related work preferred; relevant lived or community experience may be considered. Community Health Worker training or certification preferred, or willingness to complete training designated by the Health Center after hire. Additional grant-specific training may be required.