Community Health Worker

Wellvance, formerly AuSable Valley Community Mental Health Authority has many opportunities for those looking to make a difference in the lives of our community members by providing beneficial and cost-effective services to our consumers. Wellvance provides State funded public mental health services to Iosco, Ogemaw, and Oscoda counties in northern Michigan. Services are provided to people with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability (I/DD), a Serious Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI), and/or those who may be Seriously Emotionally Disturbed (SED).

The right person will have the ability to demonstrate knowledge of, follow and utilize agency policies and procedures. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed within the organizational Job Description for this position are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Excellent Benefit Package includes:

• PTO (paid time off) Accrual Program
• Paid Holidays
• BC/BS PPO Medical Benefits
• Health Savings Account
• Flex Savings Account
• Dental
• Vision
• Pension Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Student Loan Payment Assistance
• Term Life Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• AFLAC

• If you are having issues applying for a position or have questions about applying, email hr@wellvance.org

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below represent knowledge, skill, and/or ability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• High school diploma or general education degree (GED). Associate’s degree or higher is preferred.
• Have experience in a healthcare or clinical setting supporting individuals.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• Possess good verbal skills to engage clients and their families in services.
• Maintain the philosophy, mission, vision, values, standards, policies, and procedures of Wellvance.
• Ability to demonstrate basic computer skills related to Windows navigation, Microsoft Office, general office equipment, and Electronic Health Records.
• Good organizational, analytical, and judgment skills to manage time, prioritize, work independently, and handle multiple tasks.
• Display empathy and understanding upon receipt of complaints, forwarding to proper resources.
• Must possess the ability to interact respectfully with diverse cultural and socio-economic populations.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Maintain all required training and certifications.
• Must be eligible and able to be trained in MDHHS-approved CHW curriculum and ongoing training model. Employees must maintain CHW certification to retain employment.
• Possess a valid US driver's license.
• Must meet the CHW Training Program Pathway or the Work Experience Pathway;
• Has completed a CHW application with the MDHHS designated contractor and must be listed in good standing on the MI Medicaid CHW Registry; and
• Complete provider enrollment requirements detailed in the Provider Enrollment section of this policy (below).

• CHW Training Program Pathway

To be recognized as an MI Medicaid-certified CHW under the CHW Training Program Pathway, an individual must complete an MDHHS-approved Community Health Worker training program aligning with the Core Consensus Project (C3 Project) core competencies.

• Work Experience Pathway

During the initial 24 months of the policy implementation (from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025), an individual who does not possess the CHW Training Program Pathway qualifications will be permitted to temporarily deliver CHW services and seek reimbursement if the individual meets the following criteria:

• Has completed 1,000 hours of experiential learning in the previous three years; and
• Has a plan for completing a CHW training program, as described above.

A CHW certified through the Work Experience Pathway must complete their MDHHS-approved CHW training program by December 31, 2025, to maintain their eligibility to continue delivery of CHW services for Medicaid reimbursement.

All CHWs must maintain at least six (6) hours of continuing education through an annual MDHHS-approved CHW training program that aligns with the C3 Project core competencies. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the MDHHS-designated contractor to remain in good standing on the MI Medicaid CHW Registry.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Sit at a desk and work on a computer for prolonged periods, walk/move around and stand, talk and hear, and use hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Lift to 25 pounds.
• Use close vision and the ability to focus on computer screens and documents, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and color vision.
• Some walking, standing, bending, carrying light items such as books, papers, etc.; accessing transportation and driving a vehicle.

Work Schedule

• This is a full-time 40 hour position, and hours may vary depending on need.
• The position is hourly.
• Ability to travel between offices and local offsite locations may be required.

Community Health Worker (CHW) is integral to behavioral health programs and integrated care teams within Wellvance as part of Health Services. The CHW will serve as a liaison between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the overall health and wellness of the communities. Using the Community Health Worker model, as well as other evidence-based crisis and trauma support methods, the CHW will address social determinants of health by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency, providing social support, addressing the whole person and family, and linking people with health insurance, health care, behavioral health, and social services. The CHW staff will report to the Health Services Program Director and work directly with the Partnership Aimed at Total Health (PATH) RN Care Manager to share responsibility for monitoring services, advocacy, coordination, and linkage to services of the PATH clients. Additionally, the CHW staff will lead the organizational and coordination efforts of the presence of Wellvance at all Community Outreach Events, providing information and resources on mental health and services available, suicide prevention and intervention, health promotion and education, and substance use recovery and harm reduction. Work occurs in various venues and locations, including but not limited to schools, healthcare facilities, community agencies, group and individual settings, and community events.