The Community Health Worker is a member of the primary care team who addresses social determinants of health in support of patients and their families achieving optimal physical, social, and emotional health. Acts as expert team member around social determinants of health, system navigation, and community resources. Provides direct patient care as well as administrative tasks related to clinic SDH screening. Responsibilities include culturally appropriate health promotion and education, outreach, and community engagement.

 

The Community Health Worker demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills, is self-directed, and is skilled at developing relationships quickly.  The incumbent is efficient and effective in assessing and delivering direct patient care, has an in-depth knowledge of local community resources, is innovative, thinks creatively, and demonstrates flexibility.

Direct Patient Services and Documentation

• Respond to care team referrals and patient self-referrals for care coordination, individual and family support, health promotion, and resource system navigation. Areas of knowledge include mother/baby, substance use, mental health, senior services, disability, basic needs (housing, food, clothing), chronic disease management, supportive counseling, behavioral activation.
• Documents services appropriately in EHR in accordance with existing workflows to ensure continuity of care.
• Maintains accessibility via department standard means (phone, pager, email, etc)
• Maintains appropriate professional boundaries as a part of the primary care team.

Health Education/Promotion

• Develops and delivers culturally congruent and trauma informed health education classes, presentations, and written materials for a variety of audiences to include healthcare providers, community members, and patients. Such classes and materials could focus on system navigation, management of chronic diseases, and concrete skills such as healthful cooking or money management.
• Develops systems and services that encourage patient engagement and increase health behavior change. Innovation in this area may include community based interventions, home visits, family system intervention.

Outreach

• Performs assessment of clinic community and patient population needs in coordination with appropriate clinic leadership.
• Develops and delivers outreach to identified targeted populations.
• Coordinates and collaborates with community partners to increase successful patient referrals.
• Represents and promotes program to internal and community partners.

Community Engagement

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with care team members, patients, and community partners.
• Participates in regular team, group, and individual care conferences in order to provide CHW professional perspective and provide support for patient, as needed.
• Collaborates with clinic patient advisory groups in order to increase participation through bridging relational gaps.

• GED or High school diploma

• Relevant work experience in a mission-driven organization.

• Professional experience with underserved populations managing complex medical and social needs.

• Intermediate level skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Understanding of Social Determinants of Health and role of SDH in healthcare.
• Ability to work independently utilizing critical thinking, problem solving, and time management skills.
• Skill in developing and maintaining professional relationships quickly.
• Ability to plan and deliver interactive health education classes and presentations for a variety of groups.
• Demonstrated understanding of trauma informed and patient centered care or willingness to learn.
• Ability to interpret and follow policies and procedures.
• Certified Traditional Health Worker (THW)
• BLS/CPR (to be obtained within 6 weeks of employment)
  
• Must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without accommodation

• Experience working in a medical service delivery system or health plan (Medicare, Medicaid).

• Experience providing direct service, community outreach, and/or advocacy.

• Experience working with an electronic health record; EPIC platform preferred.

• Interest and experience in program development, improvement, and assessment.

• Unrestricted driver’s license
• Vehicle registration and insurance
  

Oregon Health & Science University values a diverse and culturally competent workforce. We are proud of our commitment to being an equal opportunity, affirmative action organization that does not discriminate against applicants on the basis of any protected class status, including disability status and protected veteran status. Individuals with diverse backgrounds and those who promote diversity and a culture of inclusion are encouraged to apply. To request reasonable accommodation contact the Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Department at 503-494-5148 or aaeo@ohsu.edu.