AmeriCorps Community Health Navigator

Position Summary 

The Community Health Navigator (CHN) lessens barriers to accessing primary, preventive, and supportive healthcare services by utilizing health navigation platforms, community resource networks, health literacy support strategies, and community engagement activities to connect patients and community members with healthcare services, social supports, and community resources. 

The CHN for AccessHealth (Fort Bend Family Health Center, Inc.) is a frontline public health worker who serves as a liaison and link between AccessHealth clinics, patients, community organizations, and health/social services. Community Health Navigators support individuals in addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), navigating healthcare systems, accessing community resources, understanding healthcare information, utilizing digital healthcare tools, and engaging with programs and services that improve health outcomes and overall well-being. 

In addition to traditional resource navigation activities, Community Health Navigators may participate in health literacy support, digital navigation assistance, patient engagement activities, community outreach initiatives, volunteer engagement efforts, and public health programming designed to improve healthcare access and address community needs. 

Pending project requirements, the Community Health Navigator may serve in a hybrid capacity. Volunteers will be expected to provide their own transportation to and from AccessHealth clinics and community locations as needed. 

Essential Functions 

Healthcare Navigation & Resource Coordination 

• Screen all referrals received from outside entities and internally from the Health Navigation Platform to determine which programs a patient is best suited for. 

• Review the social determinants of health needs of patients. 

• Use a Health Navigation Platform to access resources for patients. 

• Conduct research on community needs and create a plan of action. 

• Assist assigned populations with accessing resources including, but not limited to, food, housing, quality healthcare, transportation, and health information. 

• Follow up with assigned groups of patients to ensure access to care and successful connection to resources. 

• Link clients with appropriate resources and referrals to outside agencies. 

• Support partner organizations in providing resources to AccessHealth patients. 

• Serve as a liaison between clinics and community resources/organizations. 

• Assist patients in the clinic with creating accounts for partner services. 

• Assist with Data management and analytics.   

Health Literacy & Patient Support 

• Provide one-on-one assistance to patients who need additional support understanding healthcare instructions, appointment processes, follow-up recommendations, or healthcare paperwork. 

• Help patients better understand provider instructions, appointment reminders, referral steps, medication pickup instructions, and preventive care recommendations using patient-friendly communication approaches. 

• Reinforce information already provided by clinical staff using clear, easy-to-understand language without providing medical advice or clinical education. 

• Support patients experiencing barriers related to health literacy, technology access, cognitive limitations, mobility limitations, or difficulty navigating healthcare systems. 

• Assist patients with setting up and accessing online patient portals and other digital resource tools. 

• Help patients learn how to schedule appointments online, review appointment reminders, complete electronic forms, and access virtual healthcare platforms when appropriate. 

• Support patients who may have limited digital literacy or difficulty navigating online healthcare platforms. 

• Help patients coordinate appointment logistics including scheduling assistance and transportation coordination through insurance or community transportation resources. 

• Support patients with organizing appointment information, reminders, paperwork, and follow-up instructions. 

• Help patients navigate healthcare locations, departments, and clinic processes during appointments as appropriate. 

• Assist patients from arrival through completion of their clinic visit, including navigating clinic spaces, check-in processes, and locating departments or services. 

• Provide compassionate support to patients who may feel overwhelmed, confused, anxious, or unfamiliar with healthcare processes and follow-up with patients as needed. 

• Help ensure patients understand their next steps before leaving appointments. 

• Maintain organized documentation of patient support activities and navigation assistance provided. 

• Collaborate with CHWs, front desk staff, providers, and care coordination teams to support continuity of patient engagement. 

Community Outreach & Engagement 

• Identify and research potential community partners, organizations, schools, faith-based groups, and stakeholders that align with public health and community wellness initiatives. 

•  Assist with developing and strengthening partnerships that support health education, prevention programs, resource navigation, and community-based interventions. 

• Collaborate with the Health Navigator Coordinator and Population Health team to align outreach efforts with organizational and community health priorities. 

• Innovate and recommend new strategies to strengthen community engagement and increase participation in public health initiatives. 

• Assist with recruiting volunteers, community partners, and community participants for health fairs, outreach events, educational programs, walking groups, food distribution events, and other public health initiatives. 

• Engage community members in programs that address health equity, chronic disease prevention, food insecurity, healthcare access, and other social determinants of health. 

• Support planning and coordination of community health events, outreach activities, presentations, and public health campaigns. 

• Assist with event logistics including scheduling, communication, confirmations, setup coordination, and day-of support. 

• May assist with presentations to community organizations, schools, or stakeholder groups regarding AccessHealth services and public health programs. 

• Maintain organized records of communications, outreach activities, volunteer participation, and partnership statuses. 

• Assist with drafting outreach emails, flyers, event blurbs, and community engagement materials. 

Nonessential Functions 

AccessHealth Community Health Corps Volunteers may have opportunities to engage in the following activities: 

• Provide translation and interpretation services as appropriate. 

Education/Certification Qualifications 

Required 

• High school diploma or equivalent. 

• Training will be provided. 

Preferred 

• Interest in public health, healthcare access, community health, health equity, or social services. 

• Familiarity with healthcare systems, community resources, or social service programs. 

• Experience working with diverse populations and community organizations. 

• Familiarity with the culture and community dynamics of Fort Bend County, Waller County, or the Greater Houston Area. 

Skills and Experience 

Required 

• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 

• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations. 

• Strong organizational and time management skills. 

• Compassionate, patient-centered communication style. 

• Ability to explain information clearly and effectively. 

• Basic technology and computer navigation skills. 

• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook). 

• Ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and accurate documentation. 

• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred. 

Preferred 

• Experience in healthcare navigation, community outreach, customer service, education, public health, social services, or volunteer engagement. 

• Experience assisting individuals with online portals, applications, or digital resource tools. 

• Experience conducting outreach activities, presentations, or community engagement initiatives. 

AmeriCorps Service Requirements 

This position is for an AmeriCorps Volunteer funded by the OneStar Foundation, and as such: 

• Volunteerss will represent AccessHealth's AmeriCorps Program by wearing the AmeriCorps logo daily. 

• Volunteers must commit to 20 hours per week for the minimum required 900 hours by August 15, 2027. 

• Additional Volunteerss may commit to 40 hours per week for 26 weeks to complete the minimum 900-hour requirement. 

In the event of a local, state, or federal disaster declaration, AmeriCorps Volunteers may be asked on a voluntary basis or required by OneStar to activate in support of disaster response and recovery activities within their communities. This may involve virtual or in-person service opportunities and may occur outside of a volunteer's standard service hours or in place of standard service duties. In the event of a large-scale disaster, volunteers may voluntarily or be required by OneStar to deploy outside of their normal service area to assist with disaster response and recovery activities. 

AmeriCorps Volunteers may be required by the program or by OneStar to participate in service activities during National Days of Service (MLK Day of Service, 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance, and AmeriCorps Week). These activities may involve virtual service opportunities or in-person service opportunities; service opportunities outside of the AmeriCorps Volunteer’s standard service hours or in place of their standard service duties; or service outside of their service area during National Days of Service 

Salary : $12,600