Community Health Worker - VNA Health Group : Job Details

Community Health Worker (Temporary)

Job Description

Program Description: The vision of the Greater Newark Health Care Coalition (GNHCC) is for all residents of Newark, East Orange, andIrvington to have a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. GNHCC's mission is to work collaboratively to improve systems and community and individual conditions for optimal health and well-being. GNHCC believes that to ensure the health and well-being of the Greater Newark NJ community, every person must have access to affordable, comprehensive health and mental health coverage and the care they need to thrive.

Position Summary

The role of the Community Health Worker (CHW) is to help families overcome social and healthrelated barriers, navigate healthcare systems, connect to health and social services and support, and provide advocacy and support to improve health outcomes. This position of Community Health Worker is grant funded under the New Jersey Department of Health Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Program. The CHW will be integrated into a multidisciplinary care team to provide support to individuals at highest risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), with a focus on hypertension and high cholesterol. The position is funded through June 2025 but may be extended. CHW Certification Preferred.

Principal Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with multidisciplinary clinical care team at the University Hospital

Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) General Medicine clinic.

• Conduct outreach and educational activities in targeted census tracts to promote the

cardiovascular clinic at University Hospital.

• Provide and maintain high-level case management of a minimum of 20 clients requiring

complex levels of support and resources

• Establish and maintain a network with community agencies and resources that may benefit

individuals with cardiovascular disease

• Conduct regular needs assessments, including assisting clients with setting goals that

promote social and behavior change

• Make weekly follow-up calls, community and home visits to participants

• Motivate clients to meet their health and well-being goals

• Help clients with social issues like homelessness, behavioral health, and hunger, and assist

clients with organizing their records, making follow-up appointments, and filling

prescriptions

• Help clients fill out applications for benefits like insurance and food stamps

• Document each client encounter in detail

• Prepare reports and documents as needed or requested

• Attend regular team meetings with the University Hospital team and with GNHCC staff as

required

• Attend ongoing training and professional development as required

• Work with other CHWs in the region to optimize CHW supports

• Adhere to the GNHCC policy and procedures in professional development and conduct

• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to communicate and drive outcomes across professional disciplines,

organizations and clinical settings, especially on behalf of medical and socially vulnerable

populations.

• Ability to effectively oversee case management for socially and medically complex clients

in a variety of non-traditional settings; experience serving in poor, urban environments;

familiarity with Newark is preferred.

• Competence in English (written and oral) and Spanish (oral).

• Exceptional organizational and interpersonal skills, with attention to detail required; strong

oral/written communication skills are also required, along with strong command of

Microsoft Office.

• Ability to work collaboratively in a team and manage multiple priorities, utilize effective

time management skills, and exercise sound administrative and clinical judgment.

• Demonstrated ability to work well with people of various ages, backgrounds, ethnicities,

and life experiences.

• Ability to work well and maintain professionalism under times of stress and pressure.

• Ability to travel to multiple locations; valid driver's license and automobile that is insured.

• Ability to work non-traditional hours if needed based on operational needs and to meet the

needs of the community.

Job Competencies & Minimum Qualifications:

• CHW Certification Preferred

• Associate's/bachelor's degree preferred; or a combination of education and experience

• 1-3 years of community health experience preferred

• Bilingual Spanish required

• Familiarity with the geographic area and the population to be served including high need

Medicaid eligible populations

• Knowledge of cultural and lifestyle diversity issues with ability to network with a specific

population

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills

• Ability to work flexible hours, including some occasional evening and weekend hours

• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation required