The community health worker (CHW) is responsible for helping community members, patients and their family's access and navigate community services and resources and adopt healthy behaviors. The CHW supports providers and team members through an integrated approach to care management and community outreach. Activity will promote, maintain and improve individual and community health. The CHW provides social support and informal counseling, individual and group health education and advocacy for individuals and community health needs. Providing home visits and health screenings may be required.
Responsibilities
Promote wellness by providing culturally appropriate health information to providers, patients and/or community members
Provide individual social and health care support
Refer and link to preventive services through health screenings and healthcare information
Conduct health related screenings as assigned
Increase access to primary care through culturally competent outreach and enrollment strategies
Make referrals and coordinate services
Teach people the knowledge and skills needed to obtain care
Facilitate continuity of care by providing follow-up
Link patients to and inform them of available community resources
Articulate and advocate needs of community and individuals to others
Be a spokesperson for patients when they are unable to speak for themselves
Involve participants in self and community advocacy
Map communities to help locate and support needed services
Enhance care quality by aiding communication between health system, patient, and community members to clarify cultural practices
Educate patients / community members about how to use the health care and social service systems
Educate the health and social service systems about patient / community needs and perspectives
Establish better communication processes
Build individual capacity to achieve wellness
Build community capacity by addressing social determinants of health
Identify individual and community needs
Mentor other CHWs – capacity building
Seek professional development (continuing education)
Required Qualifications
3 years experience working on community health projects, programs or initiatives
Community based experience
Experience, demonstrated competency and sensitivity in working with diverse populations
Community Health Worker Certificate within 1-1/2 Yrs
Preferred Qualifications
College degree in health, human services or related field
Teaching or presenting information to groups
Experience with Microsoft Office
Multicultural healthcare experience or healthcare experience in other countries