Community Health Worker - The Way Station Health & Hygiene Center

Description

*Applications will be accepted through Friday 4/25/25.*

Compensation:

· Non-exempt/Hourly

· New hires are placed on our starting wage scale $27.02 to $31.88 per hour

· Based on performance, there is room to grow on our full wage scale of $27.02 to $36.73 per hour

Work Schedule:

· Monday-Friday, 40 hours/week

Who We Are

Unity Care NW is a private, non-profit, federally qualified health center (FQHC) that has been proudly and successfully serving the greater Whatcom County area since 1982. With clinics located in Bellingham & Ferndale, we offer comprehensive primary medical, behavioral health and dental care, as well as pharmacy services to a diverse and often underserved patient population of all ages. Employing almost 300 caring and compassionate employees, our mission is to increase the years of healthy life in the people & communities we serve.

What We Value

• Respect
• Integrity
• Accountability
• Collaboration
• Innovation

We have an inclusive culture and strive to demonstrate our Values in Action in all that we do. We value each individual on our team and aim to onboard a diverse workforce of the very best talent, whose ambitions and values align with ours.

Job Summary

Our Community Health Worker (CHW) for the Way Station Health & Hygiene Center will work with targeted populations to increase patient engagement, reduce Social Determinants of Health barriers, and improve health outcomes specifically for unhoused individuals utilizing Way Station services. Job duties include:

1. Conducts community outreach in order to establish and sustain relationships between UCNW and identified communities to be served:

a. Builds CHW caseload through effective referral partnerships with UCNW clinics and partner organizations.

b. Establishes rapport and ongoing communication with patients in the clinic and in community settings.

c. Presents current UCNW service information and health access information in strategic community settings and at outreach events.

d. Provides culturally responsive health education and resources.

2. Provides non-clinical health information and assistance to target populations served by CHW programs:

a. Communicates general internal and external service information to individuals and families on social services, eligibility requirements and benefits.

b. Identifies internal and external resources for which patients will be eligible using resource directories and other sources of information.

c. Assists patients in completing application forms for public benefits, services, and resources; facilitates warm hand-offs where appropriate.

d. Assists patients by phone or in person with insurance enrollment, health insurance information or change of insurance plans for the coverage they choose.

e. Assesses for need and completes UCNW Slide Discount Program applications with patients.

3. Facilitates patient engagement in healthcare:

a. Screen for social determinant of health barriers.

b. Monitor patients (in-person and by phone) for changes in their health engagement.

c. Provide brief and or long-term health coaching using motivational interviewing and other relevant supportive counseling skills.

d. Assists patients to schedule appointments at UCNW.

e. Assists UCNW patients to communicate with their providers and care teams.

f. Assists patients with coordinating their care received at UCNW and external services.

g. Maintains records of service contacts and activities; completes electronic documentation of services provided and efforts made to provide services in appropriate databases.

Learn more about working as a Community Health Worker for UCNW at Meet a UCNW Community Health Worker! - YouTube!

What We Offer

• A friendly and collaborative team environment
• A competitive compensation package
• The opportunity to be part of a community wide partnership to address homelessness and ensure unhoused people have access to health care.

Generous Benefits:

• Medical, dental, & vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match after 1 year of eligibility
• 6 paid holidays
• Generous paid time off of 108 hours accrued in Year 1 gradually increasing to 196 hours per year over 10 years
• Paid sick leave
• Other paid leaves for Bereavement, Jury Duty & Bone Marrow/Organ Donation
• Life/AD&D insurance
• Variety of optional insurances including Supplementary Life/AD&D, Short Term and Long Term Disability, Critical Illness, Accident, and Travel as well as Identity Theft Protection
• Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• Alternative transportation incentives
• Healthy Living reimbursement
• Unique programs including Medical Hardship Payroll Loans, Employee Referral Bonus, Will preparation services & a gym discount
• Employment at UCNW counts towards eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness – details can be viewed at Federal Student Aid.

Requirements

• Knowledge of health insurance options including Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance, and managed care programs preferred.
• Strong verbal and written interpersonal communication skills, including motivational interviewing.
• Ability to work independently and be self-directed while embedded in the community.
• Ability to de-escalate clients and manage occasional crisis situations.
• Ability to understand and respond effectively and with sensitivity to special population groups, including those defined by race, ethnicity, language, age, gender, sexual orientation, economic standing & others.
• Possesses a basic level of written and verbal communications skills, computational and computer skills and mathematical knowledge at a level typically acquired through completion of a general studies high school program.
• Able to use Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel & PowerPoint.
• Able to learn & use UCNW’s Electronic Health Records system, payroll system, training systems & other software used in this role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a community health center and familiarity with social services in Whatcom County, or equivalent relevant lived experience, preferred.
• Experience mobilizing resources for low-income or underserved populations strongly preferred.
  

Unity Care NW has an Employee Health Program for the safety of our patients and staff. The program requires that all employees receive annual flu vaccines. UCNW also requires vaccination against COVID-19.

 *Applications will be accepted through Friday 4/25/25.* 

Salary : $27 - $32