CH17 - Community Health Worker

Role Summary                                                      

Since our founding in 1991, Peach Tree has operated under the mission of providing personalized, high-quality health services to patients across the life cycle, regardless of ability to pay. Our service population has always been primarily composed of patients who face unequal access to care because of their membership in historically underinvested communities.  Peach Tree Health provides comprehensive medical, dental, vision and behavioral healthcare services across the life span in the Northern California Counties of Butte, Sacramento, Sutter, and Yuba. Peach Tree Health operates four community health center sites, a mobile dental clinic and two vision clinics which serve over 32,000 patients. Peach Tree’s services target the uninsured and underserved families throughout the region.

The Community Health Worker (CHW) functions as a member of a multidisciplinary team that conducts patient support to help achieve good health practices. Primary responsibilities include facilitation of health improvement, health promotion, health program development and support, disease prevention activities, and coordination with other partners within the community. CHWs assist clients by helping to resolve personal issues and identify resources to meet client needs. The CHW helps clients by providing support and counseling to individuals dealing with issues such as requiring basic behavioral health and medical care, substance abuse treatment, rehabilitation and navigating human relationships. Most CHW duties will be conducted in the community, on the streets, and on site at the clinic. The CHW will also lead and organize community group activities and outreach events. The CHW will perform all tasks to support patient access to care, and services to reduce barriers to care, and increase access to social and health resources such as enrollments for Medi-Cal/Medicare programs, State, County, and Federal programs.  Must be able to work non-traditional hours to be able to attend community events. Bilingual preferred, Spanish/Punjabi.

Qualifications

Education Required:  High school graduate or equivalent.

Education Preferred: Associate Degree (or equivalent college credits) in Human Services or related field preferred. Community Health Worker Certification preferred or ability to attain within 6 months of employment.  Covered CA Counselor Certification preferred.

Experience: Experience in outdoor, community level work with low income, diverse populations including persons impacted upon by mental illness or chronic illness highly desirable. Experience working with individuals and families experiencing homelessness preferred. Experience with the administration of other state/county/federal public assistance programs is desirable. Individuals with shared experiences with potential clients, including histories of incarceration, homelessness, mental illness, alcohol/drug use of disorder, etc. and experience navigating associated service delivery systems are strongly encouraged to apply

A current CPR Certification is required for this position.

Must have a clear CA DMV driving record and have a valid drivers license.

Skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Possess the ability to work effectively with a wide range of patients and community members in a diverse community
• Strong knowledge of barriers to care that may be encountered by patients and available community resources in the Yuba-Sutter or Sacramento area.
• Familiarity and working knowledge of Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and other public programs is preferred but not required.
• Working knowledge of multi-system outreach programs related to health care delivery, clinical education, and health-related services is helpful.
• Skill in use of personal computers and related software applications, including e-mail.
• Must be skilled in organizing resources and establishing priorities.

Examples of Duties

• Attend health and resource fairs, community meetings, community task force groups and other relevant events/groups to spread awareness of Peach Tree Health services and to build relationships in the community
• Work effectively with governmental and community partners.
• Assist patients to accurately complete application(s) and successfully enroll/re-enroll into government sponsored health insurance programs or 3rd Party Payors, Family PACT, sliding fee scale, Every Women counts, Covered Ca, etc.
• Provide insurance and Medi-Cal counseling and follow up on all pending applications to ensure enrollment process is complete.
• Provide community health education presentations such as nutrition and other key health determinants for the communities served by Peach Tree Health.
• Outreach and educate to raise awareness of the availability and necessity of a Primary Care Provider.
• Provide information in a manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate for community.
• Maintain updated community resources for utilization of coordinating services, providing/dispersing information, referrals, or consultations as needed.
• Drive patients to appointments, public assistance offices, food banks, or other resource organizations as needed.
• Ensure/maintain confidentiality of patient files, program, and HIPAA information.
• Coach patients in effective management of their chronic health conditions and self-care
• Assist patient in understanding care plans and instructions and accessing health related services
• Effectively work with people (staff, clients, doctors, agencies, etc.) from diverse backgrounds in reducing cultural and socio-economic barriers between clients and institutions.
• Motivate patients to be active, engaged participants in their health
• Perform other duties as assigned. Develops and maintains proactive working relationships within Peach Tree Health, the community, organizations, and councils to expand program awareness, referrals, and services.

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintains a professional, neat, and well-organized work area.
• Ability to work with patients and families in multi cultural environment.
• Provides information in a manner that is ethnically, culturally, and financially sensitive and age appropriate.
• If multilingual, provides language translation for non-English speaking patients in accordance with demonstrated language.
• Ability to adapt to change based on the needs of the provider and organization.
• Organizational skills sufficient to accurately maintain knowledge of current requirements.
• Stress management sufficient to maintain a professional demeanor while dealing with upset customers.

Travel Requirements

Must be able to travel to different clinic sites and community events. Must have flexibility in work schedule as this position will be required to attend weekend or evening events.  Driving requirements as outlined in the job duties.

Tools & Technology

Tools: Calculators or accessories; Photocopiers; Scanners; Faxing equipment; Computers and Keyboards; Telephones

Technology: Data software - NextGen; Microsoft Office programs; Electronic Mail – Microsoft Outlook

Knowledge

Clerical, Customer and Personal Service, English Language; Medical Terminology, Behavioral Health Terminology, HIPAA rules and the use of protected health information (PHI)

Abilities

Oral Comprehension; Oral Expression; Written Comprehension; Written Expression; Problem Sensitivity; Deductive Reasoning; Inductive Reasoning; Near Vision; Speech Clarity; Selective Attention; Speech Recognition; Flexibility in finding solutions to patient issues.

Work Activities

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates; Interacting with Computers; Processing Information; Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others; Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge; Getting Information; Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work; Communicating with Persons Outside Organization; Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships; Documenting/Recording Information; Identifying, planning for, and attending community events.

Work Styles

Integrity; Dependability; Attention to Detail; Social Orientation; Cooperation; Independence; Initiative; Self Control; Adaptability/Flexibility; Concern for Others; Stress Tolerance

Work Context

Physical Demands: The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of the job, with or without accommodation. Prospective employees must complete a pre-employment medical exam (Occupational Group IV) which will measure the ability to:

• See well enough to read fine print and view a computer screen; speak and hear well enough to understand, respond, and communicate clearly in person and on the telephone; independent body mobility sufficient to stand, sit, walk, lift or move, stoop, and bend to access the work environment and a standard office environment; manual dexterity and sufficient use of hands, arms and shoulders to repetitively operate a keyboard and to write; and the ability to sit or walk for prolonged periods of time.
• Required to lift/move or assist in lifting/moving up to 50lbs.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made for some of these physical demands for otherwise qualified individuals who require and request such accommodation.

Work Environment: Healthcare environment with possible exposure to airborne and bloodborne pathogens, Community environment working outdoors in different locations.