A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality-of-service delivery. The CHWs will work at the locations of designated project partners and in communities to provide outreach, education, and support. Project partners include community health centers and community-based health and social service providers. This position may include some weekend or evening work.

Primary Responsibilities

• Advising on and developing effective marketing and outreach materials.
• Conducting neighborhood canvassing.
• Conducting street outreach and outreach in public settings.
• Conducting home visits when appropriate.
• Building and maintaining caseloads.
• Providing education and materials to key influencers, such as barbers/hair stylists, coaches, fraternity members, pastors, neighborhood leaders, front-line workers, etc.
• Conducting phone-based outreach.
• Conducting presentations to consumer and resident groups in person and via social media.
• Providing information on vaccination to individuals visiting health and social service organizations and facilities.
• Providing customer support at vaccination sites.
• Providing reminders and logistical support for second vaccination appointments.
• Advising on and developing visuals for collateral materials on all social media platforms.
• Checking in on individuals after vaccinations to provide encouragement and social support.
• Assisting with data collection and documentation of outreach activities.

Qualifications

• Graduation from high school or a G.E.D. issued by state department of education required; two years of work experience required; health or human services preferred but not required. A related two-year (Associate) degree may be substituted for the health or human services experience.
• Prior experience in a CHW or similar role preferred.
• Previous course training as a CHW helpful but not required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills required and ability to interact professionally and gain trust with culturally diverse individuals.
• Familiarity with regional and local landscape.
• Prior experience working with community resources and social services in focus region.
• Ability to show empathy.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Computer skills and proficiency in the use of handheld tablets.
• Basic CHW training will be provided to all hires to fulfill their roles. Successful participation in CHW training is a condition of continued employment.

Location: CHWs will work at the location of and within the team environment of health care and community-based organizations. Candidates living in target region are preferred for these positions. Daily travel throughout target region is anticipated and access to reliable transportation is a requirement of the position. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Additional CHW tasks for inclusion as primary responsibilities:

• Providing resources for quarantine
• Linkage to community resources
• Emergency preparedness planning
• Providing health education on chronic disease self-management& holistic wellness.
• Building health literacy and community trust in health systems.
• Supporting individuals with management of longer-term side effects of COVID-19 illness
• Service system access and navigation
• Care coordination and management
• Community mobilization & outreach
• Advocacy, outreach & engagement (e.g., community needs assessments & identifying resource gaps)
• Screening individuals for health-related social needs & primary care access
• Connecting individuals to services to address social and health needs through the Unite-Us platform
• Follow up with individuals at various timepoints to verify linkage to services
• Supporting individuals linked to care to navigate the health & social system

Vaccination Requirement

IPHI requires all employees working on-site or in the community to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or to have an approved vaccine accommodation.

ABOUT IPHI

Established in 2009, the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI) is a regional non-profit organization that develops multi-sector partnerships and innovative solutions to improve the public’s health and well-being across Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. IPHI’s work strengthens health systems and policy, enhances conditions that promote health, and strengthens government and community capacity to ensure equitable health opportunities for all. IPHI is the official designated public health institute serving the region as recognized by the National Network of Public Health Institutes.

This job has been posted by TalentBoost on behalf of the Institute for Public Health Innovation. TalentBoost is committed to the fundamental principle of equal opportunity and equal treatment for every prospective and current employee. It is the policy of TalentBoost not to discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex and gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.