COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKER-BH

JOB SUMMARY:  The CHW provides a range of client-centered services that link clients with health care, psychosocial support, and other services. CHWs link community members to the resources they need such as: health screening information, healthcare providers, assistance with publicly funded health insurance, financial assistance, mental health and substance abuse treatment along with transportation services. This position enhances the quality of the Care Coordination team ability to provide proactive patient management, increased patient and provider satisfaction, and continuity of patient care.

 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provides outreach to individuals in a variety of settings including but not limited to health fairs, clinic outreach, and patient lists for targeted outreach.
2. Deliver culturally appropriate and accessible health education and information, often by using education tools within the EHR
3. Help clients in utilizing resources, including scheduling appointments, and assisting with completion of applications for programs for which they may be eligible.
4. Administer evidence based screening tools in an effort to identify those individuals who need mental health and/or substance abuse services.
5. Navigate through healthcare system (e.g. by providing assistance with enrollment, appointments, referrals, and transportation to and from appointments; promoting continuity of behavioral health services; arranging for bilingual providers or translators, and assist with culturally appropriate educations, as needed
6. Assists care team with coordination of care by tracking and supporting patients when they obtain services outside the practice
7. Works with the provider care teams by utilizing internal and external data sources, identifies and contacts patients identified through various practice protocols and initiatives.
8. Responsible for providing support to patients, their families, support staff and physicians in addressing mental health and substance abuse concerns. 
9. Provide patients with the basic mental health psychoeducation, symptoms, treatment options and coping mechanisms in order to reduce stigmas
10. Building relationships within the community to promote mental health wellness among community members and leaders.
11. Educates patients and families to assist them with making informed personal health care decisions. 
12. Assists the care team and patient in the implementation and ongoing evaluation of patient self-management goals utilizing motivational interviewing skills.
13. Understands and follows policies and procedures and produces and submits reports in a timely manner. 
14. Maintains excellent communication within the behavioral health staff. Documents actions in the patient’s medical record as appropriate.
15. Collaborate with clinical staff and social workers as needed in the development and execution of the plan of care, and achievement of goals.
16. Serves as a patient advocate. Acts as a liaison between the patient care team, behavioral healthcare facility, and community agencies among all Franklin Primary Health Center clinics.
17. Assist clients by providing education to build trust so that clients attend scheduled appointments and do not become socially isolated from the resources available to them within the community.
18. Other related duties as assigned.

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION:  Must provide the very best customer satisfaction to patients, visitors, and co-workers at all time in a professional and courteous manner.

1. Provides assistance in resolving customers’ problems
2. Coordinates efforts and interfaces with other departments to resolve problems
3. Actively protects customer confidentiality
4. Actively keeps environment clean and safe with a professional and welcoming image
5. Always treats customers as welcome guests and provides a warm and sincere greeting
6. Consistently presents a professional appearance in dress and grooming by adherence to dress code policy
7. Effectively and regularly demonstrates the values of the organization

1. Effectively involves customers in decisions that affect them
2. Follows through in a timely manner of commitments made to customers
3. Taking ownership of your attitude toward Service Excellence.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS: Performance will be evaluated by the Program Coordinator or designee annually wherein a satisfactory overall rating is considered a minimum acceptable level of performance.

HEALTH AND SAFETY:

1. Must adhere to safety policies and procedures.
2. Must receive Safety and Hazardous Communication training annually.
3. Must exercise universal precautions and comply with safety standards and procedures.
4. Knowledgeable of OSHA and CLIA requirements to assure compliance.

PRIVACY RULE COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS: 

1. Adheres to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA Privacy Rule) policies and procedures.
2. Must successfully complete Privacy Rule compliance training annually or as revisions are made to the policies and procedures.
3. Must comply with Privacy Rule guidelines by learning to protect FPHC patient’s medical privacy.
4. Must comply with Privacy Rule guidelines by appropriately maintaining our patient information in compliance with national standards.
5. Must comply with Privacy Rule guidelines by providing appropriate security of FPHC patient records.

PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI) ACCESS: 

UNRESTRICTED/RESTRICTED- For purposes of HIPAA Compliance there are 4 workforce categories, which define the level of access to PHI that is granted to the incumbent.  This position is classified under Social Services and therefore granted RESTRICTED access – for the purpose of providing patient assistance and RESTRICTED access- for other uses and disclosures according to the purpose for which the use is intended.  Use and disclosure must be in accordance with applicable privacy policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATION:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Successful completion of a Community Health Worker formal training program such as from a college or other education institution preferred.  Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Health Education, Health Promotion, Psychology, Social Work or an equivalent combination of training, education and work experience relative to the position.  Strong written and verbal communications skills are required.  Possess the ability to work with minimal supervision and manage multiple priorities.  Demonstrate the ability to delegate duties effectively.  Possess strong organization and analytical skills.  Possess a valid Alabama Driver's License. Should be familiar with social service agencies and Medicare and Medicaid regulations. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILIIES:  Knowledge of organizational policies, regulations and procedures to carry out the duties of the CHW as defined by a formal training curriculum. Skills in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with patients, medical staff, and the public are required.  Skills are required in preparing and maintaining records, writing reports, and responding to correspondence.  Abilities to maintain quality control standards.  Abilities to interpret adapt and apply guidelines and procedures. Must possess the ability to communicate clearly and maintain confidentiality.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS: Requires working under stressful conditions or working irregular hours. Require some exposure to communicable diseases. Occasionally lift and carry items up to 30 pounds.  Possess the ability to distinguish letters and symbols.