The Community Health Worker (CHW) works in partnership with multi-disciplinary care teams and directly supports patients through outreach, counseling, navigational, and case management services. This CHW will primarily work with individuals returning from incarceration with chronic diseases including those affected by substance abuse and/or mental health struggles who present at or are recruited by the HEALR Reentry Healing Program at the OHSU Richmond Family Health Center in Portland, Oregon. HEALR is a health equity community organizing team of leaders with lived incarceration experience, and healthcare workers, collaborating towards changing systems for better community health. The CHW will play an instrumental role in identifying the culturally and socially specific needs of the community and aligning planned resources to increase access to care. In addition to their work with the HEALR Reentry Healing Program, the CHW will also support the OHSU Health Equity Team. This includes participation and support of ongoing community-based health events, projects, and initiatives.

 

The Health Equity department comprises clinical and administrative leaders and support staff who work together to advance health equity across OHSU Health. Centering community, the Health Equity department partners across all sectors, and regions of the state to recognize, reconcile and rectify historical and ongoing injustices stemming from bias, racism and other social and structural factors that influence access to healthcare and health outcomes. The Health Equity department does this through data evaluation, integrating health equity efforts across OHSU Health, and developing transformational partnerships within the community.

Direct patient support & advocacy

• Respond to community referrals and program requests for patient care coordination, individual and family support, health promotion, and resource system navigation. Supports individuals and families with complex biopsychosocial & therapeutic needs in coordinating care with OHSU and external providers. Serves as a system navigator and point of contact. Assumes advocate role on patient’s behalf to ensure receipt of timely and appropriate services. Assists patients in problem solving issues related to health care delivery, financial or social barriers. Assists patients in gaining access to community services. Collaborates with care teams to meet patient/family and program goals.

Direct patient support & advocacy

• Respond to community referrals and program requests for patient care coordination, individual and family support, health promotion, and resource system navigation. Supports individuals and families with complex biopsychosocial & therapeutic needs in coordinating care with OHSU and external providers. Serves as a system navigator and point of contact. Assumes advocate role on patient’s behalf to ensure receipt of timely and appropriate services. Assists patients in problem solving issues related to health care delivery, financial or social barriers. Assists patients in gaining access to community services. Collaborates with care teams to meet patient/family and program goals.

Health Education, Prevention, and Outreach

• Develops and delivers culturally/socially 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 vaccine education, 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, canvassing, home visits, and family system intervention. Conducts home and community visits on an as-needed basis to assist patients/families with complex medical/social needs. Conducts screening and outreach to a variety of patient populations including formerly incarcerated community members re-integrating into the community. Identify social determinants, barriers, and health risks; documents in medical record and coordinates care/needs with appropriate care team members.

Other Duties as Assigned 

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 2 years relevant work experience in mission-driven organization with one of those years being work experience with underserved populations with complex medical and social needs.  
• Certification as Traditional Healthcare Worker (THW) required. 
• Traditional Health Worker types include Doula, Peer Support Specialist (PSS), Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS), Personal Health Navigator (PHN) and Community Health Worker (CHW). Type preference may be determined by service need.
• Must possess a valid motor vehicle driver license in good standing and must be eligible to operate a motor vehicle owned by OHSU or other agency; or demonstrate the ability to access transportation to meet the requirements of the position.
• BLS/CPR certification within 6 weeks of hire. 

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Competencies):

• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Must be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Excellent telephone communication skills.

• Preferred experience in community outreach services providing health information, advocacy, social support, and assistance engaging with the healthcare system.
• Personal history of prior incarceration and lived experience with the carceral system.
  
• Experience in community outreach services providing health information, advocacy, social support, and experienceengaging with the OHSU healthcare system.
  
• Prior experience canvassing or performing outreach to members of the community, with preference given to those with experience living and/or working in Portland, Oregon. 
  
• Prior experience working with currently/formerly incarcerated individuals, or with elements of the carceral system.
  
• Recent experience (last 5 years) working as a part of a multi-disciplinary team, collaboratively practicing with PCP’s, health workers, health educators, and other public health professionals.

This position will work in a variety of busy indoor and outdoor environments with frequent interruptions, multiple demands and people interactions. It requires dealing with noise in a fast-paced work group. Travel will be required within the Portland Metro area including a variety of social agencies and correctional facilities. The possibility of infrequent overnight stays in rural communities.

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.