Community Health Worker

Wellness Equity Alliance (WEA) is a novel national public health organization comprised of a multidisciplinary team of population and public health experts with backgrounds in infectious disease, public health, emergency medicine, primary care, cardiology, pediatrics, psychiatry, community health work (CHW), nursing and advanced practice pharmacy. We work nearly exclusively with underrepresented communities, fundamentally addressing health-care disparities and the social determinants of health (SDoH) that have been amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic, prioritizing the following:

• People experiencing homelessness
• Indigenous communities
• Immigrant communities
• Rural communities
• BIPoC communities
• LGBTQIA communities
• Justice-impacted communities

The WEA team is diverse, inclusive, and nimble enough to assemble teams of healthcare professionals within days using our proven local staff recruitment models to address population health crises and communicable disease outbreaks. The WEA team’s partnership model is collaborative and allows hospitals, health jurisdictions, state/local government agencies to provide timely care using equity-based strategies for individuals and marginalized communities.

Elevate your career to new heights with an opportunity that transcends traditional healthcare boundaries!

WEA is actively seeking compassionate and driven individuals for several pivotal roles in our groundbreaking School-Based Health Center (SBHC) program for Bernalillo County, New Mexico. Our approach will focus on health promotion, prevention, and treatment centered on behavioral health and primary care (including sexual health and gender-affirming care) located in large mobile units (including a brick-and-mortar clinic) in schools across the county. Working for WEA is more than a job; it's a calling to serve those most in need directly in their environment.

Job Description: Field Team Lead/Community Health Worker (CHW) and Certified Peer Support Worker (CPSW) for Mobile School Health Clinic

Position Overview:

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual with strong managerial skills to lead the field operations of our mobile school health clinic team. This role will involve managing a team of Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Certified Peer Support Workers (CPSWs) dedicated to delivering equitable healthcare to underserved communities in school settings. The successful candidate will play a critical role in providing students with behavioral health services and support, fostering a supportive and accessible healthcare environment within schools.

Key Responsibilities

Daily Operations Management:

• Assist with daily site/program operations, including driving the rig and planning team efforts.

Resource Management:

• Utilize technology and digital resources to monitor ongoing care activities and maintain comprehensive electronic participant files.

Program Performance Evaluation:

• Provide data to evaluate program performance through key performance indicators and monitor for improvement opportunities.
• Document all participant encounters, service plans, and outcomes in order for the Director to complete and submit monthly reports.

Outreach/ Engagement/Relationship Building:

• Conduct outreach activities within specific health programs and defined student populations.
• Engage with local businesses, schools, and other relevant organizations to promote community health services.
• Conduct telephonic and face-to-face outreach with students to identify social determinants of health impacting their overall wellness.
• Establish positive, supportive relationships with students, providers, nurse case managers, agency representatives and staff.

Health Coaching and Education:

• Provide health coaching, patient navigation, health education, and health promotion for a diverse student panel.
• Utilize coaching, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, and harm-reduction approaches to support students in achieving their goals.

Care Coordination:

• Identify barriers to achieving targeted clinical or social outcomes and engage the care team to revise the care plan when necessary.
• Assist students in accessing health-related services, overcoming barriers to medical care, and utilizing community services.
• Schedule appointments with health resources and assist with completing applications for programs students may be eligible for.

Key Responsibilities:

Team Leadership and Management:

• Serve as a vital team member ensuring effective communication between the school, staff and students.
• Drive and assist with rig maintenance.
• Assist with logistics.

Certified Peer Support Worker (CPSW)/Community Health Worker (CHW) Role:

• Provide peer support services to students, drawing on personal experiences to build rapport and trust.
• Advocate for students' health needs by assisting them in effectively communicating with healthcare providers or social service agencies.
• Offer emotional support, mentorship, and guidance to students navigating behavioral health challenges.
• Assist in implementing programs that promote, maintain, and improve individual and overall community health within the school setting.
• Assist students in setting and achieving personal goals, promoting resilience and self-advocacy.
• Facilitate peer support groups and activities to encourage positive social connections and mutual support among students.
• Use community health needs assessments to identify areas to expand clinical services and support.
• Collaborate with CHWs and other team members to provide comprehensive and holistic care to students.
• Build trusting relationships with students and school staff, liaising between health and social services to facilitate access and improve service delivery quality and cultural competence.

Qualifications:

• Certification as a Community Health Worker (CHW) and/or Certified Peer Support Worker (CPSW).
• Experience in behavioral health, community health work, or related fields.
• Ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with students, families, and school staff.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of community resources and ability to assist students in accessing services.
• Recording data for program evaluation and performance improvement.
• Commitment to delivering equitable healthcare and addressing social determinants of health (SDoH).

Preferred Experience:

• Bilingual
• Lived or professional experience connecting to the student population served. This may include, but is not limited to, knowledge related to mental health conditions, substance use, homelessness, foster care, incarceration, military service, disability, domestic or intimate partner violence, or shared cultural, linguistic, or community backgrounds.
• Familiarity with the geographic communities served by the mobile school health clinic.