What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Health Worker position at Decatur Shelby County YMCA?
Original Date: 10/09/2026
Revised Date:
Department: Wellness
Reports To: Director of Community Health
This position is fully funded by the Indiana Department of Health Rural Health Transformation Grant.
Basic Functions and Scope of Responsibility
Working collaboratively with the Community Health Director, personal trainers, healthcare providers, and community partners, the Community Health Worker helps participants navigate the program, overcome barriers to participation, and achieve their personal health goals. This role is responsible for building meaningful relationships with participants, supporting program engagement and retention, and contributing to measurable improvements in health and well-being.
Role Responsibilities
- Coordinate participant intake, orientation, enrollment, and ongoing engagement in Prescribe the Y and other community health programs.
- Provide individualized health coaching focused on behavior change, goal setting, nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and healthy lifestyle practices.
- Facilitate evidence-based chronic disease prevention programs, health education classes, and workshops to support participants in improving their health.
- Monitor participant progress, provide regular follow-up, and help individuals overcome barriers to participation and long-term success.
- Connect participants with appropriate YMCA programs, healthcare providers, and community resources to support their health and well-being.
- Collaborate with personal trainers and the Community Health Director to coordinate services, support participant assessments, and ensure program quality.
- Maintain accurate and confidential participant records, coaching notes, attendance, and program outcomes using approved systems, including WELLD.
- Support participant recruitment, healthcare referrals, community outreach, and program promotion to expand access to services.
- Assist participants in developing long-term wellness plans and transitioning into ongoing YMCA programs and membership following the 90-day intervention.
- Ensure program fidelity, participant confidentiality, and compliance with YMCA policies, safety standards, and grant requirements.
- Participate in required staff meetings, trainings, professional development, and other duties as assigned by the Community Health Director.
Education, Experience & Training
- Minimum age of 18.
- Bachelor's degree in public health, health education, social work, community health, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience may be considered.
- Community Health Worker certification, health coaching certification, or willingness to obtain an approved certification within six months of employment.
- Experience in health coaching, chronic disease prevention, health education, community outreach, or related work preferred.
- Experience facilitating group education, workshops, or evidence-based health programs preferred.
- Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and documentation skills.
- Ability to build trusting relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and support participants facing barriers to health and wellness.
- Ability to maintain participant confidentiality and work collaboratively with healthcare professionals and YMCA staff.
- Willingness to complete required YMCA chronic disease prevention program training, health information privacy training, and other position-specific certifications.
- CPR, AED, and First Aid certification obtained within 30 days of employment.
Core Competencies
- Caring: Show a sincere concern for others
- Honesty: Be truthful in what you say and do
- Respect: Follow the golden rule
- Responsibility: Be accountable for your promises and actions
Work Environment and Physical Demands
- Visual, auditory, and verbal ability to communicate effectively.
- Must have a high level of alertness, concentration, and initiative.
- Ability to lift 50 lbs. and stand, walk, or sit for extended periods of time; occasionally stoop/bend.
- Always maintain a neat and professional appearance.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to the job. The job description is not intended to be a complete list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees in the job classification. This document is not a contract and does not, in any way, alter the at-will employment relationship.
DSCYMCA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type with regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity of expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $206,927,896.80 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
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