Community Health Worker

Job Title: Community Health Worker

Reports to: Community Health Worker Coordinator

FLSA Code: Exempt, Full time

Hours: 40-hour workweek; occasional weekends and evening hours as needed

Location: 402 N. St. Louis Chicago Il 60624

Position Summary

Wellness is an initiative on Chicago’s west side that uses a comprehensive network of community-based partners and medical providers to screen community members with chronic illness for social determinants of health and provide a suite of comprehensive services to resolve identified issues. The Wellness West Community Based Organization Community Health Worker (CBO CHW) will serve as a bridge between the patient, the medical system, and community-based organizations by building trusting relationships with community members served by the program. The CBO CHW will also help in identifying barriers to accessing quality care, work with individuals to overcome these barriers, provide relevant referrals, follow-up with clients accordingly. The CBO CHW is employed by Wellness West and works within participating community-based organizations. The CHW is required to maintain a consistent caseload of 80 participants and is responsible for reaching this target within the first 90 days of their start date.

Essential Responsibilities / Functions

• Complete Health Risk Assessments (HRA) with patients living in target zip codes
• Complete monthly CBO follow-ups for qualified candidates
• Maintain 80 monthly CBO follow-ups/HRAs for qualified candidates.
• Assist with community resources and scheduling appointments
• Educate community members on the importance of engaging in primary care
• Educate on disease states inclusive of group and individual opportunities
• Refer to Medical Home CHWs at nearby Wellness West primary care practices for ongoing follow up and engagement with a primary care provider
• Follow up with patients referred to primary care
• Accurately document patient information, assessments, and referrals
• Help address social determinants of health
• Attend ongoing training and learning related to job position and duties
• Participate in Multidisciplinary team meeting weekly
• Follow-up with internal and external referrals
• Conduct outreach within day support centers
• Other job duties as assigned
  
  
  

Demonstrated Values

• Independently follows agency policy and procedures
• Follows through with commitments including meeting established timelines
• Identifies and resolves difficult issues
• Project a professional image to all internal and external customers ensuring proper grooming
• Promote customer care through all actions and behaviors
• Works effectively with diverse staff, communities and population served
• Maintain a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy during stressful situations.
• A passion for the mission of Breakthrough
  
  
  

Qualifications

• CHW certificate, High School Diploma or GED.
• One to three (1-3) years of related professional experience of work experience that can be demonstrated to be applicable to the duties listed in the job description
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Proven ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage multiple tasks effectively.
• Excellent interpersonal, public speaking and organizational skills
• Strong organizational skills and proven attention to detail
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, self-directed environment
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information in a clear and concise manner
• Ability to prioritize, meet deadlines and manage changing priorities
• Ability to respond effectively to inquiries, complaints, or concerns, as presented by staff, service providers, and other stakeholders
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and an acceptable motor vehicle driving record.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, professionalism, and problem-solving ability.
• Promote customer care through all actions and behaviors
• Project a professional image to all internal and external customers
• Ability to display a warm, supportive attitude toward all people
• Ability to demonstrate initiative and follow through and be comfortable working in a changing environment.
• Must possess an accurate and informed understanding of cultural and urban realities, especially as related to poverty, and community development.
• Some Knowledge of Chicago’s West Side Communities (resident of a West Side Community preferred)
• Demonstrate the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively in a team setting
• Punctual, reliable, and willing to learn
• Ability to maintain effective and professional relationships with patients and other members of the care team
• Strong interpersonal skills, communication skills, and confidence and persistence in seeking out providers’ time to review patient progress
• Displays high energy, empathy, and organization skills
• Ability to effectively engage patients in a therapeutic relationship, when appropriate, by telephone or face-to-face
• Experience with or ability to learn assessment tools and interventions for hypertension, diabetes and mild to moderate depression
• Experience working with underserved, transient populations
  
  
  

SUPERVISION

• Direction received from the Community Health Worker Coordinator
• The position does not have any direct reports
  
  
  

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work in a multi-purpose facility and/or outdoors and thus will be exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be high depending on the activities in the facility.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk and/or sit; use hands and fingers to feel objects, tools or controls, reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; regularly talk or hear. The employee must be able to bend, stoop, pull, lift as well as have an overhead extension of arms. Must be able to stand for long periods of time; be able to lift, carry or move at least 50 pounds. Must adhere to proper handling and lifting techniques. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equipment Used

The employee will generally use general office equipment including but not limited to telephone, computer, calculator, copier, paper shredder, paper cutter, and filing systems.

Safety Requirements

Prior to the first day of work, must complete a criminal background and sex offender clearance.

Benefits

• Medical - We offer group medical benefits through UnitedHealthcare to full-time employees. You have the option of choosing between a PPO or HMO plans. Depending on the plan you choose, there may be no cost for an employee single coverage. There is a cost per pay period for coverage for family (i.e., employee plus spouse; employee plus child(ren) or employee plus spouse and child(ren).
• Dental – We offer group dental benefits through UnitedHealthcare to full-time employees. You have the option of choosing between a PPO or HMO. This is an employee paid benefit.
• Vision - We offer group vision benefits through UnitedHealthcare to full-time employees. This is an employee paid benefit.
• Life - Through UnitedHealthcare, we offer full-time employees term life insurance to the employee’s family in case of death. The cost of this benefit is paid fully by the organization.
• Short and long-term disability - If you become disabled, UnitedHealthcare provides both short-term and long-term disability insurance to full-time employees. The cost of this benefit is paid fully by the organization.
• 401 (k) Plan - We offer a 401(k) plan which is a tax-deferred annuity to assist full-time employees in planning for retirement. We match 50% of your contribution up to a total of 3% of your base salary.
• Section 125 Plan (FSA) - Through TASC, we allow full-time employees to make contributions toward premiums for medical insurance, out-of-pocket medical expenses, dependent care expenses, and/or transit and parking on a “before tax” rather than an “after tax” basis.
• Vacation Days - Full-time employees in this position are eligible to accrue vacation days at a rate of 6.67 – 13.33 days per month based on tenure with the organization.
• Personal Days - Full-time employees in this position are eligible for up to 3 personal days annually, pro-rated in year one.
• Sick Days - Full-time employees in this position are eligible for up to 10 sick days annually, pro-rated in year one.
  
  
  

Compensation

$42,000-$46,000/annually