CHW/ Medical Interpreter

Sterling Health Solutions, Inc.

Job Description

Title: Community Health Worker - CHW

Supervisor(s): Patient Service Outreach Coor./S.A. Program Coor.

Department: Operations/S.A.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Effective Date: February 1, 2017

Job Summary

The Community Health Worker (CHW) will work closely with providers, primary care teams, outreach teams, and other agencies to improve patient care and outcomes. The CHW, serves as an advocate a bridge between the community and the health care, government and social service systems. To provide outreach opportunities for community residents who lack access to healthcare and health insurance, provide enrollment and application follow-up assistance.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Helping patients develop their capacity and access to resources, including health insurance, food, housing, transportation, quality care and health information.
• Provide enrollment assistance (including but not limited to completing coverage applications, gathering required documentation and troubleshooting the enrollment process) for uninsured children and adults to access subsidized, low-cost and free health insurance programs through the health insurance marketplace, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
• Provide structured patient education on health coverage, engage in follow-up conversations and offer renewal assistance for enrolled individuals.
• Ensuring that culturally diverse populations and underserved communities receive the proper medical attention.
• Be an integral part in patient transportation services.
• Facilitating communication and client empowerment in interactions with health care, social service, County Jail, DCBS and DOC systems.
• Helping health care and social service systems become culturally relevant and responsive to their service population.
• Develop outreach to migrant population in SHS service areas.
• Help patients develop health management plans and goals.
• Follow-up with health management/care plans with both patients and providers.
• Coach patients in effective management of their chronic health conditions and self-care.
• Assist patients in understanding care plans and instructions.
• Work collaboratively and effectively within the outreach services team.
• Establish positive, supportive relationships with participants and provide feedback.
• Help patients in utilizing resources, including scheduling appointments, and assisting with completion of applications for programs for which they may be eligible.
• Assist patients in accessing health related services, including but not limited to: obtaining a medical home, providing instruction on appropriate use of medical home, overcoming barriers to obtaining needed medical care and social services.
• Facilitate communication and coordinate services between providers.
• Motivate patients to be active, engaged participants in their health.
• Building and maintaining positive working relationships with the patients, providers, nurse case managers, supervisors and office staff.
• Attend and successfully complete all required training programs; participate in ongoing conference calls, webinars, and other professional development opportunities.
• Provide information in a manner culturally and linguistically appropriate to the needs of the population being served.
• Work with prescription assistance programs and 340B pharmacies to assist patients get needed medications.
• Provide referrals to needed services such as transportation, housing, child advocacy, dental, substance abuse, health education, nutrition counseling, food banks, and employment assistance.
• Educate and assist families in applying for social services programs such as insurance (Medicaid and others), utilities programs, child care, etc.
• Record and maintain documentation concerning assistance provided to patients and others for reporting purposes.
• Assist in coordination of transportation services.
• Provide interpretation services for Spanish speaking patients with providers, pharmacy and other medical staff. (for certified employees).
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Required

• Maintain patient confidentiality at all times.
• Be courteous and respectful to patients and co-workers at all times.
• Ability to work effectively with providers, staff, and third-party payors.
• Ability to work independently, establish priorities, and coordinate work activities.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to use good judgment to accomplish goals.
• Ability to identify and access resources.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of individuals.
• Knowledge of the community/population served.
• Ability to “empower” patients – identify problems and resources to help them solve problems themselves.

Credentials and Experience

Required

• High School Diploma or GED
• 2 years of experience in one or more of the following areas: communications, outreach, education and training, healthcare
• General knowledge of patient health technologies (e.g., electronic health record) and ability to explain it to others.
• Community Health Worker Certification.
• Kynect Certification.
• Medical interpretation certification (for interpreters).

Preferred

• Outreach: 2 years
• Communications: 2 years
• Electronic Medical Records: 2 years

Special Requirements

Requires sitting, standing and walking for extensive periods of time. Requires working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours. Requires frequent exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids, toxic substances, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to a clinic environment. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to work with a moderate noise level in the work environment is required.

The above information is intended to describe the most important aspects of the job. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required in order to perform the work. The health center reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the business need arises. Additionally, this job description is not intended as an employment contract, implied or otherwise, and the Center continues to maintain its status as an at-will employer.

If the essential functions of this position cannot be performed in a satisfactory manner by the employee, reasonable accommodations may be made.