What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Health Worker position at Akron Children's?
Full-Time: 40 Hours Per Week
1st Shift: 8am - 4:30pm
Monday - Friday
Location: Hybrid - Barberton Primary Care
Summary
The Community Health Worker (CHW) serves as a trusted frontline public health professional who has a close understanding of the community served. The CHW builds strong, relationship-based connections with individuals and families to support health, wellness, and access to services. The CHW serves as a bridge between individuals, families, healthcare providers, social service agencies, and community-based organizations to improve health outcomes, reduce disparities, and promote culturally responsive, patient- and family-centered care.
Responsibilities
Technical Expertise
FTE: 1.000000
Status: Fixed Hybrid
1st Shift: 8am - 4:30pm
Monday - Friday
Location: Hybrid - Barberton Primary Care
Summary
The Community Health Worker (CHW) serves as a trusted frontline public health professional who has a close understanding of the community served. The CHW builds strong, relationship-based connections with individuals and families to support health, wellness, and access to services. The CHW serves as a bridge between individuals, families, healthcare providers, social service agencies, and community-based organizations to improve health outcomes, reduce disparities, and promote culturally responsive, patient- and family-centered care.
Responsibilities
- Conducts home and community-based outreach to build trust with individuals and families.
- Engages individuals using culturally responsive, strengths-based approaches.
- Gathers information to support individualized, person-centered service planning.
- Identifies social drivers of health, barriers to care, and escalates urgent concerns appropriately.
- Partners with individuals and families to establish goals and simple action plans.
- Promotes self-advocacy and informed decision-making aligned with individual preferences and values.
- Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate services and supports.
- Provides referral assistance and navigates healthcare, social services, and community resources.
- Assists with appointment scheduling, applications, and linkage to needed services.
- Delivers culturally responsive health education, coaching, and emotional support.
- Conducts follow-up to monitor progress, confirm service connection, and address emerging needs.
- Documents all activities and outcomes in compliance with organizational, regulatory, and confidentiality standards.
- Other duties as assigned
Technical Expertise
- Ability to work effectively with individuals and families from diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds.
- Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement, and motivation.
- Knowledge of or ability to learn community resources and service systems.
- Ability to follow structured data collection and documentation processes.
- Strong collaboration skills and ability to function as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
- Ability to work independently and solve practical problems in community-based settings.
- Demonstrated emotional intelligence and ability to manage stressful or sensitive situations professionally.
- Proficiency in MS Office [Outlook, Excel, Word] or similar software is required.
- Education: High school diploma or GED required.
- Licensure: n/a
- Certification: Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association is required within 90 days of hire. Community Health Worker certification through the Ohio Board of Nursing required within 2 years of hire.
- Years of relevant experience: None required. Lived experience with relevant communities/populations is preferred.
- Years of experience supervising: none
FTE: 1.000000
Status: Fixed Hybrid