Community Health Worker/Peer Navigator - Opioid Linkage to Care Project

This position is funded through the PA Department of Health for a 2-year period beginning September 2024-August 2026. The CHWPN will have primary responsibility for community-based outreach, engagement, and implementation of harm reduction activities for program participants. The CHWPN will serve as a vital link between NPP, program participants, community-based treatment, and social service providers. This team member is a frontline public health worker who has a close understanding of the communities they will serve. The trusted relationship enables them to serve as a link between physical and behavioral health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.

The CHWPN position works to support PHMC’s Mission, Vision and Core Values which are as follows:

Mission and Vision: PHMC works to create and sustain healthier communities through partnerships with government, foundations, businesses, and community-based organizations. We envision a healthier community for all.

Integrity: We are committed to building and sustaining trust across our teams, partners, and funders

Impact – Our work is purposeful and rooted in a data driven approach.

Accountability – We hold ourselves and each other responsible for getting things done, effectively with managing resources and achieving sustainable results.

Inclusion and Collaboration – We value and respect inherent difference of all individuals, strive to amplify those voices and experiences and are committed to working together to convene diverse perspectives, talents, and approaches to public health.

Credibility – We are a trusted resource that delivers innovative approaches and reliable services to the communities that depend on us.

The CHWPN’s responsibilities will be to support, promote and implement harm reduction and prevention services for individuals with opioid use disorder. Activities will include outreach into high-risk communities, engagement of opioid users and assess for harm reduction interventions as well as other social determinants of health, creating linkages between program participants to treatment readiness services at NPP, community-based licensed treatment providers, primary care services and education and engagement of family and community members in opioid overdose prevention and intervention.

*Responsibilities:

• Plan, develop, implement, coordinate and track engagement and outreach to the community members who are opioid users and family their members.
• Community based outreach activities for up to 4 hours per day, 3-5 days per week
• Educate individuals who use drugs about naloxone, primary overdose prevention, and harm reduction resources to prevent overdose.
• Develop and maintain current knowledge on delivering evidence-based programs and how to engage communities through culturally relevant practices, as assigned.
• Assist in the development and dissemination of promotional materials and tools, including presentations, to increase awareness of opioid use disorder including overdose prevention/intervention.
• Complete linkages to services at New Pathways Project, PHMC Addiction Services Programs, PHMC’s FQHCs, DBHIDS treatment provider network and community based social service programs.
• Routinely identify resources, webinars, and new literature to assist the team in harm reduction and intervention activities.
• Facilitate referrals and appointments for services, including health care, social, housing, or other services, based on the clients’ needs.
• Conduct phone-based follow-up calls, as needed, with identified individuals to support and facilitate warm handoffs to treatment and their recovery process while in treatment.
• Help community members understand their health condition(s) and develop strategies to improve their health and well-being.
• Log and document all outreach and engagement with identified individuals.
• Support Case Manager Supervisor, monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting of process measures to project funders by ensuring tracked data is up-to-date, accurate, and complete.
• Maintain confidentiality of client information and data.
• Attend weekly supervision calls or meetings with Case Management Supervisor.
• Participate in teleconference and in-person meetings with project team and project funders as appropriate.
• Complete initial onboarding training within the first 60 days of hire
• Other duties as assigned.

*Skills

• Understanding of substance use disorder, including opioid use disorder
• Strong and written communication skills
• Exceptional understanding of the health system, community-based organizations, and partners in designated service area(s).
• Experience successfully managing competing timelines.
• Ability to establish priorities, and work both independently and in a team environment to meet objectives with minimal supervision.
• Excellent problem solving, conflict resolution and time management skills.
• Excellent people skills and ability to effectively interface with partner organizations and community residents.
• Availability during daytime and some evening and weekend hours as needed.
• Travel throughout Philadelphia County is required (and surrounding counties, as needed); has valid and current driver’s license and automobile insurance if utilizing vehicle to complete work related activities.
• Detail-oriented, with excellent organizational skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft office suite.

*Qualities

• Hard-working, and dependable.
• Availability during daytime and some evening and weekend hours
• Shared life experiences in the communities they serve.

Experience and Qualifications

Required:

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Bilingual skill is a plus.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in public health or social service-related work.
• At least three years experience working with diverse populations, low-income individuals, individuals from different religious backgrounds.
• At least three years experience conducting community health education programs.
• CHW and/or Peer Recovery Specialist certification or obtained within first year of employment

*Education Requirement:

• Associate degree preferred; high school diploma at a minimum

Salary:

Salary commensurate with experience

PHMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and an E-Verify Employer