Community Health Worker

Summary/
Objective

The Community Health Worker is a core member of the care team, including the patient’s medical provider and the larger primary care team. They are frontline public health workers who understand the community they serve. The Community Health Worker is a link between health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services and to improve the quality of their health. The CHW helps increase health knowledge in the community through outreach, community education, informal counseling, and social support.

Essential Functions

• Helps patients identify social determinants of health that affect their overall health and develop health and social management plans and goals
• Help conduct and facilitate the National Diabetes Prevention Program
• Assist patients with setting and addressing SMART goals
• Outreach and assists patients in overcoming barriers to obtaining needed medical care and/or social services
• Build and maintain relationships with other services in the community and establish a presence in newer communities
• Help conduct preventative screening events in the community and within health centers
• Hold health education events on location and in the community
• Understand and remain knowledgeable regarding community health care resources related to chronic disease, mental health and substance abuse, and other basic care needs
• Arrange for services on behalf of the individual, such as helping them arrange transportation and make medical appointments
• Make outreach and follow-up phone calls to patients
   

*These essential functions are a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the position and are not intended to be a comprehensive listing of all duties and responsibilities.  The position will include other duties as assigned and duties are subject to change at the management's discretion.

Competencies

• Planning and strategic foresight
• Responsible Decision Making and Problem Solving
• Integrity and accountability
• Innovation and creativity
• Adaptive and flexible
• Leadership, teamwork, and conflict resolution
• Professionalism and work ethic
• Empathy

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office environment. Involves frequent personal and telephone contact with patients, physicians, and other healthcare personnel. Work may be stressful at times. Interaction with others is constant and interruptive.

Travel

Travel outside of Northshore locations may be frequent for this position.

Required Role Qualifications

• Minimum required education per state of Indiana/HRSA
• Community Health Worker certification within 90 days (about 3 months) of employment
• Lifestyle Training Coach certified within 1 year of employment

Preferred Role Qualifications

• Two years of experience working within a healthcare setting.
• Licenses/Certifications (MA certification, Rad-Tech license, BLS, etc.)
• Required experience (if any)

Required Skills

• Ability to analyze situations and solve problems at strategic and tactical levels
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply the appropriate sections of applicable laws, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, and policies
• Ability to acquire a thorough understanding of the organization's hierarchy, jobs, qualifications, compensation practices, and the administrative practices related to those factors
• Practiced at organization and planning
• Employ Critical thinking and problem solving
• Maintains composure and operates with emotional intelligence
• Ethical reasoning and decision-making
• Strong attention to detail
• Receptive and responsive to feedback
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Time management, prioritization, and sense of urgency
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software
   

Physical, Visual, and Audible Requirements

1. I acknowledge that I may be exposed to infectious and contagious diseases.
2. I acknowledge that I may be in contact with patients under a wide variety of circumstances.
3. I acknowledge that I can handle and respond to emergency or crisis situations per NorthShore Health Centers facility plans, protocols, and procedures.
4. I acknowledge that I may occasionally be subject to irregular working hours.
5. I acknowledge that I may be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as necessary.

*Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job described.