Employment

Community Health Worker Position Description

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), Gateway Health, Piedmont Access to Health Services (PATHS), Danville Redevelopment and Housing Authority (DRHA) and the regional Health Collaborative are partnering on an initiative that would deploy ten Community Health Workers (CHW) throughout the Danville area for a period of three years. The intent is to improve citizens’ health and explore the career potential for CHWs in southern Virginia.

A Community Health Worker (CHW) is responsible for helping individuals navigate and access community services and resources. In addition, CHWs help individuals adopt healthy behaviors. The CHW supports healthcare providers and care management coordinators through an integrated approach to care management and community outreach. CHWs will work closely with medical providers, primary care teams, and other agencies to improve patient care and outcomes and connect patients to a primary care provider. The CHW will primarily be working out in the community with specific target populations, providing social support and informal counseling, advocating for individuals’ and community health needs, and providing basic health screenings.

CHWs will be employed either through Gateway Health or PATHS. Successful candidates will need to meet the respective agency’s hiring criteria.

Key Responsibilities:

·         Establishing trusting relationships with clients and their families while providing general support and encouragement.

·         Maintaining a high level of confidentiality and integrity.

·         Conducting intake interviews with clients.

·         Coaching clients in effective management of their chronic health conditions and self-care while motivate clients to be active, engaged participants in their health.

·         Guide clients according to clinical practice guidelines and best practices for their disease.

·         Helping clients set personal goals and develop health/care management plans.

·         Assisting clients in understanding care plans and instructions.

·         Providing continuous follow-up with clients via phone calls, home visits and visits to other settings where clients can be found, from initial identification through closure.

·         Assisting clients in accessing health-related services, including but not limited to: obtaining a primary care provider, providing instruction on appropriate use of a primary care provider, overcoming barriers to obtaining needed medical care and social services.

·         Assisting clients with completing relevant applications and registration/enrollment forms.

·         Providing referrals for services to community agencies as appropriate.

·         Helping clients connect with transportation resources and give appointment reminders in special circumstances. Transporting clients is strictly prohibited.

·         Acting as a client advocate and liaison between the client/family and community service agencies (i.e. schools, Department Human Services, hospitals, support groups, etc.), facilitating communication and coordination of services between providers.

·         Effectively manage assigned caseload of clients, with a minimum case load of 30 clients at a time.

·         Document case notes and activity on a daily basis, recording client care management information in the Electronic Medical Record (training provided) and other software.

·         Attending regular staff meetings, trainings and other meetings as requested.

·         Effectively working with people (staff, clients, doctors, agencies, etc.) from diverse backgrounds in reducing cultural and socio-economic barriers between clients and institutions.

·         Building and maintaining positive working relationships with the clients, providers, nurse case managers, agency representatives, supervisors and office staff.

·         Continuously expanding knowledge and understanding of community resources, services and programs, human relations, procedures used in dealing with the public, and volunteer resources.

·         Identifying and applying appropriate role definition and skilled boundaries.

·         Maintain health-related certifications (ex. CNA, medication aide) if applicable.

·         Participate in professional development and continuing education opportunities as required by the employer and/or as mandated by the state for scope of practice.

Minimum Requirements:

·         High School Diploma or its equivalent

·         Good communication skills, such as listening well, and using language appropriately are required. Written and oral fluency in English required.

·         Experience working and/or living in a multi-cultural and/or community-based setting

·         Basic computer skills required to include Microsoft Word and Excel

·         Ability to initiate and maintain positive working relationships with staff and other organizations

·         Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement and motivation to clients

·         Knowledge of community resources appropriate to needs of clients/families

·         Ability to work collaboratively and effectively within a team

·         Self-motivated with excellent time-management skills

·         Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) preferred

·         Knowledge of some medical terminology preferred

·         Successful completion of a Community Health Worker formal training program such as from a college or other education institution is preferred

·         Background check and drug testing required

Additional requirements for Gateway Health positions:

·         Verifiable good driving record and reliable transportation

Position and Compensation: full-time grant-funded (temporary for up to three years with potential for continued employment) position with benefits. CHWs will be paid $12/hr for 90 days. Pay increase to $13.50 after successful OJT period.