Community Health Worker - School Based Health

Position Summary:

The Community Health Worker - School-Based position is essential in navigating and connecting students to health and social resources within the school, school-based health center (SBHC), and community. The coordinator is responsible for collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to develop tailored plans that support the student’s academic performance and wellness. The position requires the coordinator to enhance communication and relationships across the school community, ultimately fostering improved health outcomes and educational success for students.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Assessment, Monitoring, and Coordination:

• Work as part of the SBHC team with students, parents/guardians, school health staff, and community organizations to implement a written care plan that includes a health summary and action plan.
• Support the coordination of care management through scheduling, referrals, and follow-ups.
• Track the progress and completion of assessments and ordered tests and report to clinical team as appropriate.
• Help students and parents/guardians navigate multiple systems across health, educational, and community settings (e.g., consents, privacy and data protocols, and health insurance).
• Use health information technology and data to proactively track the effective delivery and continuous monitoring of care coordination.
• Assist in data collection and utilization efforts, mainly focusing on using electronic records or other health technology to collect data that support the health and education connection.

Relationship/Communication:

• Build and maintain trusting relationships with students and their families, assessing strengths and incorporating them into the care plan.
• Recognize students’ and families’ cultural and language assets and work to actively address and support their needs.
• Communicate effectively to align with the expectations of students and their families.
• Ensure transparent data sharing under appropriate permissions with students, families, school staff, and other relevant stakeholders (e.g., participating in relevant school meetings, such as Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings and attendance meetings, where students' health is appropriate.)
• Inform students and parents/guardians about health and social services (e.g., primary care, mental and behavioral, vision, oral health, transportation, finances, and language).

Administrative:

• Assist parents/guardians with paperwork and documentation, including forms, parental consent, insurance, reimbursements, and referrals.
• Contribute to school-based health center compliance with care coordination documentation standards.
• Other duties as assigned.

Upon hire, must participate in School-Based Health Alliance, FamilyCare Health Centers and school standardized training, and ongoing peer learning to build and maintain school-based health care coordination skills.

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the communities served, community resources, and external health and social systems.
• Ability to maintain and build new partnerships with local community resources.
• Ability to be a connector, identify direct contacts within organizations, and foster positive relationships to enhance trust within the care coordination process.
• Ability to nurture relationships and communicate directly with students of all ages.
• Ability to confidently communicate using plain, clear language, and active listening.
• Communicate with empathy and cultural humility.
• Experience working with diverse populations including students, families, community organizations, and other populations.
• Use effective messages to support school-based health center enrollment and utilization of services.
• Work as a team member and manage conflict.
• Experience navigating multiple systems: health care, schools, and community.
• Manages time effectively and balances competing priorities.
• Collaborative nature, problem-solver, flexible mindset.
• Ability to maintain current resource inventory and identify appropriate resources based on student and family needs.
• Prepare written communication, including emails and contributing to SBHC reports.
• Disseminate existing health and education materials to students and families.
• Ability to document work in electronic health platforms.
• Written and oral fluency in English.
• High School Diploma or equivalent. Preferred: Bachelor's or equivalent years of experience.
• Must have reliable transportation.