Community Health Worker Coord

University of Pittsburgh Physicians is hiring a Full-Time Community Health Worker Coordinator to help support the UPMC IM-REP WoundWell project. 

Hours: Monday through Friday, daylight

Location: 1515 Locust St, potentially hybrid after orientation period.

Department Details: This team is extremely innovative; there are chances to be part of other studies as well. This a critical role that will strengthen the operational efficiency and patient-centered functioning of our clinical wound addiction program. 

In this role you will oversee essential functions, including:

• Coordinating and tracking wound-care visits to prevent protocol deviations (e.g., wound size documentation, appointment adherence)

• Managing virtual weekly multidisciplinary wound care case discussions

• Coordinating wound care provider schedules, community referrals, and outreach activities

• Assisting with procurement and inventory management of wound care supplies for clinic and patient distribution

• Pulling quarterly reports for funders

• Managing transportation logistics to improve visit adherence and reduce no-shows

• Handling prior authorizations and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) coordination to prevent delays in enrollment and procedures

• Coordinating home health services to ensure continuity of care

• Supporting Center of Excellence retention efforts to maintain engagement in long-term wound-care studies

• Assisting with social determinants of health needs (e.g., transportation access, food insecurity, housing instability, digital literacy)

• Supporting patients with required technology to enhance retention and improve data quality

• Providing patient education related to wound care, reinforcing clinical instructions to improve adherence and outcomes

• Distributing and educating patients on harm-reduction kits, when appropriate, in alignment with clinical protocols

Purpose:
The Community Health Care Worker (CHW) Coordinator will work directly with individuals receiving services, family members, providers and other stakeholders, at the direction of a supervisor. This position requires the candidate have close understanding of the community they serve. This trusting relationship enables CHWs to serve as a liaison link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. We recognize CHWs build individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, social supports and advocacy. To fill this position we will recruit a seasoned person who has expertise in issues such as housing, transportation, peer support, informal counseling, career training, and social supports. The CHWs will provide care coordination services to address health needs of individuals enrolled in the program. This position will include telephonic and face to face contact with individuals receiving services, family members and other stakeholders to engage in problem solving and referral strategies; community based services; resources for housing and resources available to members to promote recovery. The CHW also represents the organization to the general public, individuals in, and seeking, recovery, family members, and to stakeholder groups.

Responsibilities:
 

• Collaborate with Community Care/HPL care management staff, as needed, for interventions
• Assist members with specific non-medical needs that affect health and access to care
• Promotes principles of recovery with members, providers, and stakeholders
• Mobilize the community level to enhance provider understanding of community needs and preferences
• Flexibility in schedule to meet members' needs
• Utilize motivational interviewing to effectively identify the member's strengths, needs, motivation, triggers, and goals in managing life circumstances.
• Connect the member to community-based treatment and recovery supports.
• Identifying challenges a member faces in the Eight Stages of Wellness and Recovery
• Empower the member to self-advocate and follow through with treatment (making and attending scheduled appointments, setting goals, and community networking)
• Work in the community setting at least 80% of the time, to have direct contact with members, support teams, treatment providers and recovery supports
• Represents community Care/HPL recovery and transformation at all levels
• Provides telephonic assistance to members and family members concerning recovery tools and resources
• Manages an increased caseload and handles the more complex cases that come to the department
• Engage the community to improve underlying social and economic conditions that impact health
• Bridge the gap between the physical health care and behavioral health treatment
• Advocate for the members' community needs, medical and behavioral health needs
• Assist in scheduling appointments as needed