Bilingual Community Health Worker

POSITION OVERVIEW: WCMS seeks a compassionate and motivated Bilingual Community Health Worker (CHW) to support patients enrollment in our donated services program Project Access (PA), sustain participants’ engagement with PA program benefits, and serve as a vital link between patients, healthcare providers, and community resources. The CHW’s work helps to empower patients, address social determinants of health, and improve health outcomes within our community.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: The CHW provides social support and informal coaching, advocates for individuals’ health needs, does outreach and resource navigation, and delivers material support for enrolled patients, including up to two days per week driving (must have valid NC drivers license and vehicle access).

The CHW will work with WCMS staff, partner agencies, and patients to achieve the highest level of care coordination. This job description covers essential job functions; it is not intended to describe all duties a CHW may perform:

Duties:

• Support patients with the Project Access enrollment process, in collaboration with Health Access Navigators
• Identify and connect patients with resources and services to address social determinants of health, such as food assistance, housing, and mental health support, including driving as needed for service/resource delivery
• Support and develop initiatives to increase participant awareness of and engagement with PA program resources and benefits
• Support and develop initiatives to collect and document patient feedback and input, including co-facilitation of Patient Advisory Council
• Create culturally sensitive patient education materials on topics such as preventive care, medical self-advocacy, and managing chronic conditions.
• Advocate on behalf of patients to address social and systemic barriers to healthcare.
• Partner with other community organizations to enhance patient support.
• Additional projects and duties as identified by the Strategic Plan and PA Program Manager.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None.

EDUCATION and/or Experience:

Minimum requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent, associate degree preferred, with related experience required

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

- Valid NC Drivers License

- Certification or training as a Community Health Worker (or willingness to obtain)

- Training in trauma-informed care and/or mental health first aid a plus, though not required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

• Strong written and verbal communication in both English and Spanish
• Self-directed and able to organize and manage multiple tasks/projects simultaneously
• Ability to build rapport with diverse populations
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of community resources, medical and social service systems and sensitivity to patient needs in these settings
• Ability to promote programs and services to the community
• Ability to maintain accurate and confidential patient information per HIPAA regulations.
• Ability to promote and build teamwork and multidisciplinary care concepts

COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Strong verbal and written skills in English and Spanish. Must be easily heard and understood over the phone. Must be able to communicate accurately and professionally to a wide variety of constituents. Strong problem solving and customer service skills required.

COMPUTER SKILLS: Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook). Familiar with database systems with proficiency in data entry and the ability to run reports from a database.

ORGANIZATIONAL AND COORDINATION SKILLS: Ability to organize workload and coordinate multiple activities. Position requires the ability to appropriately and professionally handle multiple and competing priorities. Strong detail orientation. Excellent documentation, reporting, and organizational skills.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE SKILLS: Bi-lingual fluency in Spanish/English

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Office Environment

1. Sitting in a normal seated position for extended periods of time (standing for extended periods of time if using a standing desk).

2. Reaching by extending hand(s) or arm(s) in any direction.

3. Finger dexterity is required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand(s) or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard.

4. Communication skills in spoken and written English.

5. Physical mobility.

6. Driving for extended periods of time or access to alternative, reliable vehicular transportation.

7. Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: WCMS currently operates in a hybrid workplace. Ethics of virtual/remote work must be abided by at all times. Occasional use of personal vehicle. May require early morning, evening, and weekend work. Some nonstandard hours covering community events. Works primarily indoors with heating and cooling regulated. Must reside in WCMS geographic service area.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Self-directed, respectful, empathetic, highly motivated, reliable, process-driven, organized, and impact-focused. Please include a cover letter to be eligible for this position.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP: Reports to the Manager of Project Access.

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND: The Western Carolina Medical Society (WCMS) is dedicated to improving health outcomes and the well-being of our community. Since 1996, Project Access has connected low-income, uninsured patients with medical care donated by local providers to address healthcare gaps in our region.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.00 - $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 32 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Medical Specialty:

• Public Health

Schedule:

• Evenings as needed
• Weekends as needed

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Asheville, NC 28803

Salary : $23 - $25