Community Health Worker

About Cardea Health:  

Cardea Health is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing compassionate health care to marginalized populations. Our mission is to create and support programs that protect the health and autonomy of vulnerable individuals and promote equity and social justice to improve the well-being of our entire community. We provide medical support to populations that experience homelessness.  

At Cardea, we are dedicated to creating a workplace that celebrates diversity and actively seeks to include underrepresented communities. We believe that diversity drives innovation and fosters a more dynamic, inclusive, and productive work environment. We actively encourage individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to apply for our open positions. We value your unique perspectives, experiences, and talents, and we are committed to providing equitable opportunities for growth and advancement. Join us in building a team that reflects the rich diversity of our society and let's make a positive impact together. 

Primary Work Location: 

Alternative Response Unit( ARU): Based in San Leandro, this program is part of a pilot partnership with the City to provide community-based responses to non-violent 911 calls related to quality of life, wellbeing, or mental health and substance use crises. The Alternative Response Unit operates with a team that may include an LVN or RN, community health workers, and an emergency medical technician (EMT). 

Job Summary:   

Cardea Health is search of an organized and motivated person to work as a community health worker (CHW) as part of the Alternative Response Unit Pilot Program with the City of San Leandro. The CHW will work alongside a psychiatric nurse practitioner and an emergency medical technician (EMT) to respond to non-violent 911 calls related to quality of life, wellbeing, or a mental health or substance use crisis. The alternative response unit will respond either instead of law enforcement, with law enforcement, or after law enforcement depending on the situation. The alternative response unit will provide de-escalation and treatment in the field and connect clients with needed resources.  

The CHW will provide a variety of functions to support alternative response unit. As part of an interdisciplinary team, the CHW will provide culturally affirmative care coordination and advocacy for clients. This includes outreach and engagement, social assessments, health coaching, and linkage to social resources and healthcare as indicated. 

The ideal candidate will be invested in Cardea Health’s mission of serving marginalized populations with compassion and empathy. The CHW will need to be flexible, patient, and willing to work in challenging environments with a diverse population. Experience with homeless or incarcerated populations is highly desirable. This is an excellent position for someone who is seeking to gain experience in a healthcare social service setting.  

The community health worker (CHW) will assist the alternative response unit with responding to 911 calls directed to the team and provide clients with coordination of medical and behavioral health care. Duties include: 

• Rides on the alternative response vehicle alongside the psychiatric nurse practitioner and EMT to respond to non-violent 911 calls involving behavioral health, substance use, and quality of life concerns 

• Supports the team to provide de-escalation in the field using a trauma-informed approach 

• Completes screenings and assessments to identify psychosocial needs and factors contributing to the crisis, including functional, environmental, employment, educational, and health information, as appropriate 

• Provides short-term case management to clients as needed to ensure proper follow-up and resource linkage has been established 

• Facilitates referrals to ACCESS, Center Point, and other behavioral health/substance use programs as needed 

• Facilitates referrals to shelter and other housing resources as needed 

• Serves as a strong advocate to help clients obtain the resources they are eligible for 

• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with providers, facilities, community resources, etc and facilitates warm hand-offs as needed 

• Maintains accurate and up to date documentation as required by program deliverables 

• Maintains confidentially in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) 

• Practices harm reduction principles, including interventions that minimize harmful effects of substance use while treating all clients with dignity and respect. 

• Other duties and responsibilities as required 

Preferred Skills & Qualifications:  

• Prior experience with homeless or incarcerated populations is desirable 

• Prior experience supporting individuals experiencing behavioral health crises is desirable 

Physical Requirements:  

• Frequent riding along in a Fire Truck 

• Occasional sitting or stationary work 

• Frequent standing, walking, kneeling, stooping, and ascending stairs 

• Occasional lifting and carrying up to 20 lbs 

• Frequent pushing and pulling 

• Frequent reaching high, low, and level 

Work Environment: 

This role works at a fire station, on a fire truck, and out in our community. They will be answering alternative response 911 calls and be frequently out in the community. 

Benefits: 

Employees in this role may be eligible for a range of benefits, including  

• Employer-supported medical,  

• Access to dental and vision insurance,  

• Paid vacation and sick time,  

• Retirement plan (401k) participation with a company match,  

• Commuter benefits,  

• Long Term Disability,  

• Life Insurance 

• Eligibility for certain benefits may vary based on hours worked per week and length of employment 

• Specific details are provided in the benefits guide and are subject to change 

Cardea Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer 

Cardea Health is committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability, citizenship or veteran status. We will consider qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the state of California and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. 

This job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities for this role. Activities, duties, or responsibilities may change, or a new job description may be assigned at any time with or without notice. 

Salary : $24 - $28