Community Health Worker

The Community Health Worker (CHW) serves as an integral member of the client’s support team and works alongside their other team members – Care Managers (CM), Supervisors, and Directors – to provide person-centered goal setting, education, and support for those experiencing care transitions, living with a chronic condition, or other determined eligibility. The CHW will work directly with the individual, their supports, and other members of their care team to improve health outcomes and self-sustainability for individuals served by CICOA and in the community.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Customer Service

• Serves as an ambassador for CICOA’s Mission, Vision and Values when representing CICOA internally and externally.
• Role models CICOA’s commitment to ICARE values of Integrity, Courage, Accountability, Respect, Excellence
• In all interactions, focuses on the exceptional experience and positive health and customer service
• Timely in responding to individual, members of their circle of support, health care professionals and other team members needs and requests
• Displays positive beliefs and feelings regarding older adults and those of any age with a disability
• Displays a strong level of comfort with collaborating and conducting home visits with older adults, individuals with disabilities and the communities where they live

Teamwork and Communication

• Demonstrates CICOA’s communication expectations when interacting with others on CICOA’s behalf, including health care staff, social service staff and others involved
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including ability to interact regularly with all members of the team to assure care coordination
• Knowledge of public health terminology, program evaluation and quality improvement principles
• Provide consistent reports to team Supervisor, Assistant Director, CHW team and other data collection sources
• Participates in team coordination/case conferences for assigned participants
• Attends workshops, team and Departmental Meetings, General Staff meetings and trainings as directed by team supervisor
• Completes accurate, timely, comprehensive documentation

Care Delivery

• Strategize and Implement ways to reduce barriers to health care access and improved health overall to the population served
• Implement educational programs and empower individuals to increase health knowledge and healthy behaviors
• Collaborate with team members (CMs, Sups, Directors) for shared clients to ensure a continuous loop of care across programs
• Identify and address individual and community need around health education and access to healthcare resources
• Provide informal counseling and social support in one-on-one and group meetings with those involved in programming
• Facilitate context-appropriate health education for clients and stakeholders
• Build consumer/client capacity by increasing self-sufficiency through motivational interviewing and client-centered planning
• Conducts home or phone visits to provide support, encouragement, goal setting, and guidance.
• Remains composed and effective when faced with unexpected and uncomfortable situations
• Obtains needed medical and assessment information
• Provides community resource referrals, participant advocacy, support, outreach, and follow-up
• Demonstrates good judgement and critical thinking skills in identifying client’s needs and escalating to the care team as required by departmental protocols
• Commits to an exceptional level of time management and organizational skills with the intention of obtaining desired outcomes.

Technology

• Independently manages data entry into the document management system as well as documents appropriate information as required
• Acquires and maintains competence in use of program hardware and software applications
• Regularly utilizes technology as part of care delivery
• Utilizes and receives referrals through software for tracking purposes
• Maintains confidentiality of information according to HIPAA

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties listed. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

High school diploma or equivalent required; computer experience (Microsoft Office Suite, internet, email) required. Must have CHW certification or agree to complete CHW training and achieve certification within first six months of hire. Two years relevant experience in a medical, care management, community health work, community-based organizations or Medicaid/Medicare setting preferred. Bachelors or Associates Degree in Human Services, Psychology, Nursing, or related field preferred. Healthcare experience preferred. Relatable experience working with older adults highly preferred. Experience working with state agencies and/or with Medicaid approval process preferred