Community Health Worker

COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER

MISSION:  To provide clinical excellence with outstanding patient experience while ensuring that all members of the community have access to quality, comprehensive, patient-centered health care. 

                                                      We Serve.  We Grow.   We Achieve.

COMPANY INFORMATION:

As a federally qualified health center (FQHC) we serve all people with quality healthcare, dignity, and respect. We envision a seamless healthcare delivery system that is proactively responsible for the medical, dental and psychosocial needs of underserved individuals, children and families residing in Kalamazoo County. 

We advocate for the rights of all people to experience comprehensive healthcare that is delivered through a collaborative community network focused on quality standards of care. Our aim is to decrease healthcare disparities by increasing access to care through culturally sensitive medical attention, education and outreach. We work to reflect this simple motto: "Together, we are improving quality of life by providing excellent health care to all people in an environment of dignity & respect."

BENEFITS:   

• Highly competitive pay 
• Excellent (cost-effective) Health Insurance 
• PPO or PPO High Deductible Plan with Health Savings Account (HSA) 
• Vision & Dental Insurance
• Company paid Life & accidental death
• Company paid long-term disability Insurance
• Voluntary life, accidental death, short-term disability, and other supplemental offerings 
• Pre-tax 403(b) retirement plan (Discretionary employer contribution based on FHC financial performance)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 8 Paid Holidays 

POSITION SUMMARY:  

The Community Health Worker (CHW) will be responsible for helping patients and their families to navigate and access community services, and other resources, and adopt healthy behaviors. The CHW supports providers through an integrated approach to care management and community outreach. As a priority, activities will promote, maintain, and improve the health of patients and their family. This is a grant-funded position.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Responsible for, establishing trusting relationships with patients and their families while providing general support and encouragement.
• Conduct basic motivational interviewing and goal setting with patients/families.
• Conduct intake interviews with patients, including enrolling and/or referring patients to other community programs and resources.
• Provide follow-up with patients via phone, in clinic, or in community settings.
• Assist patients with completing applications and registration forms.
• Conduct eligibility determination, enrollment, and follow-up with uninsured patients.
• Help educate and remove barriers for patients for preventative health screenings and recommended care.
• Help patients connect with local transportation resources
• Work closely with all providers and support staff to help ensure that patients have comprehensive and coordinated care. 
• Act as a patient advocate and liaison between the patient/family and community service agencies (i.e. schools, Department of Human Services, hospitals, support groups, etc.).
• Document outreach and communications with patients in EPIC and other software (Azara) no later than 24 hours after patient contact.
• Attend community events representing Family Health Center. 
• Attend regular staff meetings, training, and other meetings as requested.
• Manage an assigned caseload of patients.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:  

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate noise.        May be exposed to communicable diseases or blood borne pathogens.  

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear while conversing with staff and/or patients. 
• The employee is frequently required to sit or stand.  The employee regularly uses hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. 
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Knowledge of medical terminology preferred. 
• Ability to effectively communicate with all people regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and education level.  
• Professional communications skills required (in person, over the phone, and in writing).  
• Familiar with a variety of local resources and agency programs that serve our patient population.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office utilizing Excel spreadsheets and Word documents.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/CERTIFICATIONS/LICENSES:

• One or more years of experience in case management, care coordination or enrollment functions.   
• CHW certification, or willing to obtain during first six months of employment. 

Family Health Center has the right to modify the duties and functions of the job description based on the needs of the organization.