Outreach Community Health Worker (CHW)

Northwest Human Services is a non-profit leader in providing advocacy, quality healthcare and social services in Marion and Polk counties since 1970.  We are a mission focused organization providing compassionate and professional medical, dental, psychiatry, mental health, and wraparound services for those in our community who need it most - uninsured individuals, families, the homeless, and migrant workers.  As a Community Health Center we value a culture of equity, diverse perspectives, and life experiences. Our organization embraces innovation, collaboration, and work-life harmony.

Outreach Community Health Worker (CHW)

Sign-On Bonus: $1,000 (internal candidates that are currently employed here at NWHS are not eligible for a sign-on bonus)

Employee Referral: $500 (Referral bonus’ expire at the close of this job posting.)

Northwest Human Services is currently seeking an Outreach Community Health Worker to join our Team in Salem, Oregon!

In this role, the Community Health Worker (CHW) must be able to adapt services offered based on individual client and natural support system needs. Duties may include but are not excluded to processing health screenings, responding to warm handoffs, documenting within an electronic health record system, assisting clients to complete paperwork, researching community resources, offering individualized resources based on identified need, transporting and/or attending specialty appointments with clients in an agency vehicle, placing and following up on community referrals, and quickly re-prioritizing tasks. Additional attributes of CHW’s include respect for the experiences and opinions of people in various socioeconomic communities, cultural humility, desire to empower others, mindset of continuous learning, ability to build trust and rapport, innovative, persistence, reliable, and ability to handle stressful situations and challenges. CHW’s must be able to offer resources and support while empowering clients to manage their own health. Engaged in entry level Trauma-Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, and Community Health Worker training opportunities.

The Outreach CHW functions as integral member of the NWHS Street Outreach team, which operates under the Transitional Programs. The Street Outreach program is a project under NWHS Health Care for the Homeless initiatives which aim to forge relationships with individuals facing barriers to healthcare, helping to address immediate needs and connect them to care services and community supports. Like other CHW staff positioned throughout NWHS programs, the Outreach CHW participates as integrated team member within the array of services we provide. This position has advancement opportunities as defined below.  

LOCATION: Transitional Programs

POSITION STATUS: Full-Time | Monday - Friday

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

1. Builds trust and rapport with clients through professional, respectful, caring, non-judgmental, culturally aware, clear, and honest communication, including listening carefully, gathering and sharing information, and resolving conflict. Community Health Workers are open about their roles, responsibilities, and limits, and follow through on all agreed upon tasks.
2. Utilizes universal screening workflows (SDOH, SBIRT, warm-handoff, task, referral, etc..) and motivational interviewing skills to offer patient-centered, individualized resources that bridge barriers, connect clients to community resources and build skills to progressively move towards navigating the health care system on their own. Understanding of CHW role to “meet people where they are”, support clients to learn and use resources to improve health and become advocates of their own care, and proactively participate in Care Coordination.
3. Documents all assigned screening forms and interventions in NextGen or other outreach platforms within 1 to 3 business days. Maintains up-to-date, timely, accurate, and complete care coordination notes within the health record and follows procedure for appropriate follow-up. Collects data and tracks interventions and outcomes to support strategic planning processes.
4. Responds to assigned referrals and tasks in Next Gen “Inbox” or from other communication mechanisms within 3 to 5 business days. Utilizes CHW judgment and team consultation to determine frequency, quantity, extend of support, and timing of follow-up interventions and/or completion date. Provides closed-loop communication back to referral source as needed.
5. May include working alongside the Outreach team offering individualized resources based on identified need. Connects homeless individuals to wrap-around support services offered at HOAP, HOST, WSC, and/or other community partner agencies. Works to stabilize individuals in the field by providing essential supplies, and explaining, completing, and submitting general documentations on behalf of individuals. This includes patient registration forms, releases of information, DMV applications, birth certificates applications, social security forms, OHP applications, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Minimum one year work, volunteer, or lived experience within a human service-related environment and/or bachelor’s or associate degree in public health, Behavioral Science, or Social Services, or closely related experience.
2. Experience connecting underserved populations to community resources and navigating health care and social service systems preferred.
3. Must be able to build effective working relationships, solve problems, direct patients to resources and manage information. Understand your role’s boundaries and be able to clarify them to your patients so you can maintain a professional relationship.
4. Personal flexibility to perform in an ever-changing work environment with frequent interruptions.
5. Ability to manage high volumes of patients in a short span of time, while dealing with unpredictable issues.
6. Food Handler’s Card within one month of hire and maintain as current thereafter.
7. Valid Oregon Driver’s License with a driving record that permits coverage under the agency’s corporate auto liability policy, and personal automobile insurance preferred.
8. Completion of a Community Health Worker training course or certification is preferred. Non-Certified candidates must enroll in and successfully complete CHW Certification course after initial 90-day employment period.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS: 

Our Agency provides a benefits program that is comprehensive, competitive within our industry, and affordable to our employees.

• Competitive Salary
• Full Comprehensive Health Plans: Medical with two plan options
• Dental & Vision options
• Flex Spending Account
• Group Life: Short-Term & Long-Term Disability 100% paid by employer
• 403(b) retirement plan with 3% employer match
• PTO - 10 hours a month for FT positions @ 40 hrs./wk.
• 7½ paid holidays each year 2 paid floating holidays for FT positions
• Continuing Education & Training Benefits
• Employee Healthy Living Program – Gym Membership & Smoking Cessation

TO APPLY:

If you are interested in joining a team that makes a difference in the lives of many, apply online at: Employment (northwesthumanservices.org)

For more information, contact the HR/Recruiting Department at: HR@nwhumanservices.org | 503.588.5828

All candidates who receive a written offer of employment will be required to undergo a criminal records check and a motor vehicle report.

Equal Opportunity Employer | We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.