What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Health Worker position at Western Wayne Family Health Centers?
Purpose: The Community Health Worker (CHW) is responsible for encouraging patient and provider shared decision-making, promoting healthy patient behaviors that reduce risk, improving medication adherence, furthering patient self-management skills and linking the clinical care provided by the Health Center with community-based social supports. The CHW effectively educates, motivates and support patients pursuing behavior and lifestyle modifications that improve health status and quality of life.
PART I: ESSENTIAL POSITION FUNCTION AND DUTIES
1. Acts as a liaison between patient and care team, utilizing knowledge of lived experience to assess patient need and reduce barriers.
2. Work cooperatively with other staff in coordinating patient care and pursuing team-based approaches to service delivery.
3. Meet regularly with the care team to plan care and discuss cases, and exchanges appropriate information with team members in an informal manner as part of the daily routine of the clinic.
4. Mentor and coach patient, making connections to community supports to encourage successful recovery.
5. Identifies and provides linkages for services in community partner agencies to support patients/families social needs.
PART II: CLINIC WIDE RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Customer Relations:
a. Treats guests, patients, physicians, and other employees with care, courtesy, and respect.
b. Responds quickly and appropriately to customer requests.
c. Looks for and suggests ways to better meet customer needs.
d. Answers clinic communications systems promptly and with courtesy and respect.
2. Teamwork:
a. Works cooperatively within own department and other areas.
b. Willingly accepts additional responsibility – tries to make others job easier.
c. Responds quickly to request for assistance.
d. Required to work closely with patients and associates.
e. Interacts with other departments on problem issues.
f. Accepts feedback from patients, visitors, clinic employees, physicians and general public.
2. Communications:
a. Keeps appropriate people informed.
b. Speaks and writes clearly, concisely, and appropriately.
c. Listens carefully.
d. Communicates tactfully.
e. Understands that all confidentiality and privacy considerations are respected and fostered at work and off duty.
PART Il: KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
1. Proficiency using electronic medical records and software used in healthcare environments
2. Excellent telephone and customer service skills
3. Skilled with working in a complex work environment
4. Ability to maintain confidentiality at all times and maintain organizationally appropriate relationships
5. Knowledge of organization policies and procedures.
6. Knowledge of software including SAGE, EHS and Business Objects.
7. Skilled in exercising initiative, appropriate judgment, problem-solving and decision making.
8. Skilled in developing and maintaining effective relationships with internal and external customers maintaining the highest
level of confidentiality and integrity.
9. Must possess the ability to read and interpret documents; to write routine reports and correspondence; to speak effectively before individuals and small groups; and to interact respectfully with diverse cultural and socio-economic populations.
