Community Health Worker

Job Summary: The Community Health Worker (CHW) advances Mazzoni Center’s mission by delivering community-centered outreach, education, HIV/STI prevention, and care navigation that improve access, retention, and health outcomes. Housed within the Patient and Community Engagement (PCE) Department, this role bridges community and clinical care by providing affirming, culturally responsive services that reduce stigma and connect community members to medical, behavioral health, and supportive services. The CHW strengthens access and equity, promoting prevention and early intervention, and ensuring effective linkage to care. The position focuses on communities disproportionately impacted by health disparities, while collaborating closely with internal care teams and external community partners.

Communication: Strong oral and written communication skills are required. The CHW must communicate effectively with patients, staff, and community partners and contribute to an inclusive, affirming work environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Community Outreach, Education, and Engagement

• Conduct community-based outreach and engagement activities in diverse settings, including evening and weekend hours as needed.
• Provide individual and group health education focused on sexual health, HIV prevention, STI prevention, harm reduction, PrEP/PEP, and stigma reduction.
• Facilitate educational trainings, workshops, and learning sessions that build health knowledge and communication skills.
• Develop and distribute accessible educational materials across print, digital, and community platforms.
• Recruit, train, and support peer educators or community advocates.
• Assist in planning, promoting, and staffing community outreach and education events.
• Promote Mazzoni Center services and programs throughout Philadelphia.

Testing, Prevention, and Navigation:

• Perform HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and other STI screenings in community and organizational settings.
• Provide HIV/STI prevention counseling and sexual health education.
• Support clients in accessing HIV prevention and care services, including PrEP and nPEP.
• Provide warm handoffs and follow-up support to ensure successful linkage to care for individuals testing positive or eligible for prevention services.
• Assist clients with appointment scheduling, referrals, adherence support, and navigation of internal and external health and social service systems.
• Assess clients/patients for eligibility for insurance and related benefit programs (e.g., Medicaid, Patient Assistance Programs, SPBP) and facilitate linkage and enrollment. 
• Collaborate with clinical providers, case managers, navigators, and other interdisciplinary staff to support continuity of care.

Program Support and Administration:

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of outreach, testing, education, referrals, and program outcomes.
• Enter and manage data in internal tracking systems in accordance with organizational and funder requirements.
• Support grant-related data collection, reporting, and program evaluation activities.
• Assist with operational and administrative tasks including scheduling, supply organization, filing, and event logistics.
• Ensure compliance with documentation, confidentiality, and reporting standards.

Other Responsibilities: 

• Demonstrated ability to embody and uphold Mazzoni Center’s core values: Respect for People, Patient-Focused, Inclusivity, and Integrity in all aspects of work.
• Protect patient information and records at all times in compliance with agency confidentiality polies, ACT 148 and HIPAA.
• Participate in supervision with Assistant Director of Community Engagement.
• Participate in agency meetings, staff in-services, and external trainings as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Assistant Director of Community Engagement and/or Director of Patient and Community Engagement.

Education, Skills and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Education, Public Health, Social Work, Counseling, or related field.
• Strong commitment to Mazzoni Center’s mission and community-centered care.
• Experience providing community-based health education, outreach, or peer support.
• Knowledge of HIV prevention strategies, including HIV/STI testing, PrEP, and harm reduction.
• Strong facilitation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently in community settings and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Comfort engaging in stigma-reduction work and discussing sexual health topics openly and respectfully.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working as a Community Health Worker, Peer Educator, or Peer Advocate.
• Community Health Worker certification.
• Familiarity with long-acting injectable PrEP (LAI-PrEP) or willingness to be trained.
• Connection to or knowledge of West Philadelphia and/or North Philadelphia community spaces or organizations.
• Experience supporting care navigation or linkage to healthcare services.
• Bilingual skills.

Clearances

• Background checks are required, including but not limited to: Criminal Background Clearance, Child Abuse Clearance, and FBI Clearance.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel on public transportation 
• The ability to lift objects up to 25 pounds
• The ability to communicate using written and spoken words
• Must have all necessary vaccinations