Healthy Start Community Health Worker

Responsibilities:

• Establish trusting relationships with patients and their families while providing support, encouragement and feedback.
• Coach patients in effective management of their chronic health conditions and self-care.
• Convey the purposes and services of a program to the user population and the impact the program or service would have.
• Assist patients in understanding care plans and instructions.
• May need to visit patients in their homes to assess the patient, their living conditions, and meet with family members or caretakers.
• Document activities, service plans, and results in an effective manner while strictly adhering to the policies and procedures in place.
• Advocate for patient and act as a liaison between the patient/family and community service agencies (I.e., schools, hospitals, support groups, etc.).
• 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 the 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.
• Effectively work with people (staff, clients, doctors, agencies, etc) from diverse backgrounds in reducing cultural and socio-economic barriers between clients and institutions.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with the clients, providers, nurse case managers, agency representatives, supervisors and office staff.
• Continuously expand knowledge and understanding of community resources, services and programs provided; human relations and the procedures used in dealing with the public as part of a service or program; volunteer resources and the practices associated with using volunteers, operations, functions, policies and procedures associated with the department or program area, procedures and resources available to handle new, unusual or different situations.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Follows Hospital and department policies and procedures with special attention to attendance and punctuality, confidentiality, dress code and display of ID badge, and safety.
• Completes mandatory education and training in order to maintain organization and department-specific competencies and requirements.

Education:

• High school graduate or GED required.
• Medical Assistant training or Medical Assistant certification helpful.

Languages:

• English
• Spanish (orally and written) preferred for some communities.

Certifications:

• Valid Driver’s license may be needed for some assignments.

Complexity of Work:

• Knowledgeable about community resources appropriate to the needs of clients/families.
• Effective time management practices (able to organize time, prioritize projects efficiently and effectively); de-escalation skills; problem-solving skills and managing change and conflict; and knowledge of computer software.
• Able to develop trust and effective working relationships with staff members, individuals, families and external & internal professionals; strong information gathering/interviewing techniques.

Work Experience:

• Medical terminology and one year work experience in medical office setting preferred.
• Excellent written verbal and telephone communication skills.
• Knowledge of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) preferred.

Physical Requirements:

• May need to move around intermittently during the day, including sitting, standing, stooping, bending and ambulating. May need to remain still for extended periods, including sitting and standing.
• Work evenings and weekends may be required.
• May need to lift boxes or carry objects.
• Possess dexterity to operate a PC and other office equipment.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.