Community Health Worker - Hometown Health Center : Job Details

POSITION SUMMARYThe Community Health Worker (CHW) is responsible for helping patients and their families navigate and access community services, and their resources. The CHW supports providers, Licensed Social Worker and Case Managers through an integrated approach to care management and community outreach. As a priority, activities will promote, maintain, and improve the health of patients and their families. CHW provides social support and informal counseling, advocates for individuals and community health needs. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Utilizes tools in real-time, such as the PRAPARE and other reports from the electronic health record to recognize or initiate patient engagement.

Assess patient's Social Determinant of Health (SDOH) and documents in electronic health record.

Responsible for establishing trusting relationships with patients and their families while providing general support and encouragement.

Provide ongoing follow-up, basic motivational interviewing and goal setting with patients/families.

Follow-up with patients via phone calls, home visits and visits to other patient settings.

Help patients set personal health related goals and attend appointments.

Provide referrals for services to community agencies as appropriate.

Help patients connect with transportation resources and provide appointment reminders in special circumstances. Transport patients following van policy.

Exhibit excellent working relations with patients, visitors and staff.

Effectively communicates Hometown Health Center's (HHC) mission.

Work closely with medical providers. Comprehensive and coordinated care plans are developed for patients.

Work collaboratively with other care team members to the patient.

Demonstrates community resources appropriate to needs of patients/families.

Responsible for providing consistent communication to the Case Manager to evaluate patient/family status, ensuring that provided information and reports clearly reflect progress.

Act as a patient advocate and liaison between the patient/family and community service agencies.

Record patient care management information in the EMR and other software no later than 24 hours after patient contact.

Attend regular staff meetings, trainings and other meetings, as requested.

Manage assigned caseload of patients.

Maintain HIPPA compliance at all times.

Participates in all safety program training, drills and education sessions AND may include assignment to an emergency response team.

Supports the School Based Health Center.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Performs other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

Organizational skills to handle multiple priorities while remaining professional and calm.

Ability to work with many diverse people, including children and teenagers.

Effective telephone skills.

Strong level of confidentiality due to the sensitivity of materials and information handled.

Ability to make suggestions on workflow or system efficiency and effectiveness.

Ability to work independently and be self-directed and flexible.

Ability to prioritize.

Ability to perform functions with minimal supervision.

Ability to work at a high-volume level of accuracy.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

Committed to the mission of the Hometown Health Center.

Behave in a professional manner and consistently demonstrate and promote the values of respect, honesty, and dignity for the patient, families, and all members of the healthcare team.

Committed to the constant pursuit of excellence and teamwork in improving the care of the patient and families of Hometown Health Center and the Patient Centered Medical Home Neighborhood.

Be punctual for scheduled work and use time appropriately.

Perform duties in a conscientious, cooperative manner.

Perform required amount of work in a timely fashion with a minimum of errors.

Be neat and maintain a professional appearance.

Maintain confidentiality and protect the Practice by abiding by laws and principles related to confidentiality; keep information concerning Practice Operations, patients and employees confidential.

Successfully complete background check and fingerprinting as outlined by the Department of Education.

Maintain compliance with Health Center's compliance standards, including its Standards of Conduct, Compliance Program, and policies and procedures. Such compliance will be an element considered as part of the Administrative Assistant's regular performance evaluation.

Adhere to Hometown Health Center's Employee Immunization policy.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSThe physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by the Incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for prolonged periods of time, talk, and hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and use hands to operate a standard computer keyboard. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Vision requirements include: close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to read multiple handwritings.WORK ENVIRONMENTThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the incumbent encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed in a busy medical office environment with many interruptions. Very active, fast paced position with short deadlines. QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED FOR POSITIONExperience and Skill Requirements: The following experience and skills are considered essential:

Written and oral fluency in English and Spanish is preferred.

Experience working in a multi-cultural setting.

Experience working in a community-based setting for at least 1 to 2 years preferred.

Basic computer skills required, electronic medical record (EMR) experience preferred.

Understand the community served, community connectedness.

Good communication skills, such as listening well, and using language appropriately.

Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement and motivation to patients.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTSThe following education requirements are considered essential:

High school graduate or equivalent required; Associate's Degree in Business Administration or related field preferred.

MT, Paramedic, or Certified Nursing Assistant preferred.

Successful completion of a Community Health Worker formal training program such as from a college or other education institution is preferred.

Medical terminology and/or background preferred.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans With Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case by case basis.The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.