Community Health Worker

Description

Position Purpose

Working under the direction of the Community Health Testing & Outreach Coordinator, this position is responsible for providing one-time health education intervention for individuals, groups, and communities, while promoting whole health, through outreach and engagement activities, which are primarily field based. Community Health Workers are professional staff who also serve as a bridge between clients and members of the care team. They are an important member of the health care workforce in addressing racial, gender and other inequities and ensuring health care access for all. This position works collaboratively as part of the Community Health educator and linkage to care team.

Job Status: Full time

FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-exempt

Essential Functions

• For anyone testing positive for an infectious disease, provides education and linkage to care.  For Non-HIV patients, ensure patient is linked and retained in care through their first medical visit;
• Identifying and connecting people living with HIV (PLH) who are out of care to medical and social support services;
• Following Completion of the Promoters model training this position will engage and build relationships with a select impacted community and community partners;
• Provides client referrals to outside entities or support service programs, as appropriate;
• Establishes positive community relations;
• Delivers information about health and wellness in ways that the community can easily understand and provides information on services provided by DAP Health;
• Responsible for promoting a collaborative and effective working environment;
• Linking and engaging people living with HIV in medical care;
• Helping people living with HIV adhere to care;
• Explain health benefits and other types of available assistance to individuals living with HIV;
• Model commitment to continuous quality improvement by engaging in quality improvement initiatives and projects, such as identifying and addressing gaps, and by identifying, developing, and testing new practices for improving the outcomes of patients; Participates in all appropriate staff meetings or other activities as needed;
• Ensures the privacy and security of PHI (Protected Health Information) as outlined in Desert AIDS Project’s (DAP)'s policies and procedures relating to HIPAA compliance including attending annual compliance training;
• Coaching clients in ways that are culturally appropriate to facilitate positive behavior change;
• Developing trusting and caring relationships with clients;
• Communicating with clients to provide or collect information;
• Motivating clients by using motivational interviewing and other behavior change techniques;
• Addressing client needs, especially around social determinants of health (SDoH);
• Completes other related assignments to help meet the goals and objectives of the department;
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned;

Qualifications

Required Education, Experience and Knowledge/Skills

• Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent is required;
• Highly skilled interpersonally, with excellent team work and relationship skills;
• Highly skilled in interpersonal communication, including resolving conflict;
• Able to sufficiently engage members in a variety of settings, including on the phone, at Member’s homes, in hospitals and other settings;
• Knowledge of the community the CHW will be working in, especially non-professional resources, and their reputation in the community;
• Ability to develop relationships with community members and leaders, including in the faith based community;
• A high degree of skillful decision making and judgement, in an autonomous position, including knowing when to consult with the team, supervisors, and experts;
• Able to develop effective relationships with team members, working out in a community based setting;
• Understanding of and sensitivity to mental health conditions and addictive disorders;
• Awareness of the impact of unmitigated bias and judgement on health; commitment to addressing both;
• Understanding of, and a commitment to, high preforming team practices.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Ideal candidate will have interest in and competence in cultural differences, HIV/AIDS, minority health, sexual practices, and a demonstrated competence in working with the substance abuse community, African-American, Latino/a, LGBT communities, health care workers, youth and/or seniors;
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS disease, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) (Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, Syphilis) and HCV, to include diagnosis, prevention, risk-reduction strategies;
• Previous professional or volunteer experience working in HIV/HCV/STI prevention or care and/or delivering sexual health education or other behavior;
• Understanding of how related chronic and infectious diseases are transmitted and prevented as well as familiarity with Pre-Exposure and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP);
• Experience in public health, community building or other health education;

License(s) and Certification(s)

• Valid CA Driver’s License with a clean driving record and, access to a reliable vehicle and up-to-date auto insurance. Driver's license and insurance required upon hire or must obtain within 6 months from start date.

Salary : $21