Community Health Worker

St. Luke's is proud of the skills, experience and compassion of its employees. The employees of St. Luke's are our most valuable asset! Individually and together, our employees are dedicated to satisfying the mission of our organization which is an unwavering commitment to excellence as we care for the sick and injured; educate physicians, nurses and other health care providers; and improve access to care in the communities we serve, regardless of a patient's ability to pay for health care.

The Community Health Worker (CHW) will be responsible for helping patients and their caregivers, navigate and access community services, other resources, and adopt healthy behaviors. The CHW supports nurses, providers, liaisons, and care management with an integrated approach to case management and community outreach. The CHW provides social support and informal counseling, advocates for individuals and community health needs.

The Community Health Worker (CHW) will be responsible for helping patients and their caregivers, navigate and access community services, other resources, and adopt healthy behaviors. The CHW supports nurses, providers, liaisons, and care management with an integrated approach to case management and community outreach. The CHW provides social support and informal counseling, advocates for individuals and community health needs.

The intent of this job description is to provide a summary of the major duties and responsibilities of this position and should not be considered as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent to the position.

WORK PERFORMED

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

Work in conjunction with Community Health Team to identify patients / families requiring assistance in navigation, care coordination, insurance connection, and additional needs identified in Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Assessment. Responsible for establishing trusting relationships with clients and their families while providing general support and encouragement. Work closely with healthcare team, under the direction of Network Director Community Health Clinical Operations to follow processes and protocols, promoting comprehensive and coordinated care. Establish partnerships with community-based organizations to ensure placement of patients for related services. Provide ongoing follow-up and resource connection with patients / families. Register, schedule, check-in, and check-out patients according to Electronic Health Record (EHR) requirements. Complete accurate documentation of all encounters in EPIC. Provide referrals for services to community agencies and Network departments, as appropriate. Follow-up with patients / families via phone calls and in-person visits at the hospital and designated community locations. Assist patients / families with completing applications and registration forms. Maintain information about community and network resources appropriate to needs of patients / families. Assess the needs of referrals and determine eligibility for services, according to government and local program guidelines. Document in care management platforms, Excel databases, and EHR as needed and directed. Comply with established chain of command for work related problems. Maintain responsibility for own development through active participation at in-services and / or continuing education programs. Demonstrate ability to develop effective working relationships within the community in such locations as soup kitchens and shelters. Function as a professional role model and resource person providing guidance to co-workers. Participate in department Quality Improvement activities. Maintain confidentiality of all materials handled within the Network / Entity as well as the proper release of information. Comply with Network and departmental policies regarding issues of employee, patient and environmental safety and follows appropriate reporting requirements. Demonstrate / model the Network’s Service Excellence Standards of Performance in interactions with all customers (internal and external). Demonstrate Performance Improvement in the following areas as appropriate : Clinical Care / Outcomes, Customer / Service Improvement, Operational System / Process, and Safety. Demonstrate financial responsibility and accountability through the effective and efficient use of resources in daily procedures, processes and practices. Comply with Network and departmental policies regarding attendance and dress code.

OTHER FUNCTIONS :

Other duties as assigned

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS :

Sitting for up to eight hours per day, up to two hours at a time. Walking for up to one hour per day up to 15 minutes at a time. Involves frequent fingering, firm grasping, handling and twisting and turning. Occasional lifting and carrying objects up to 25 pounds. Occasional stooping, bending and reaching above shoulder level. Hearing as it relates to normal conversation. Seeing as it relates to general vision, color vision, peripheral vision and visual monotony.

Must have the ability to sit for 2 total hours per day, and up to 1 total consecutive hour. Must be able to stand for 6 total hours per day and up to 4 total consecutive hours. Must be able to walk 6 total hours per day and up to 30 total consecutive minutes. Must have the ability to frequently use fingers / hands. Must have the ability for touching as it relates to feeling objects by touching with the skin, particularly that of fingertips. Must have the ability for hearing as it relates to normal conversation, high frequency and low frequency hearing sounds. Must have the ability for seeing as it relates to general vision, near vision, color vision and peripheral vision.

POTENTIAL ON-THE-JOB RISKS :

None identified.

Employee may be potentially exposed to cuts and punctures, slippery surfaces, assaults and battery, back injuries, car accidents.

MOST COMPLEX DUTY :

Ability to prioritize multiple tasks / assignments to make sure they are accurately completed within required timeframe.

SUPERVISION (RECEIVED BY AND / OR GIVEN TO) :

Supervised by Network Director Community Health Clinical Operations

COMMUNICATIONS :

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Spanish preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS :

Ability to work independently

Ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities

Very good organizational skills

Excellent customer service skills

Written and oral fluency in English, bilingual in Spanish preferred

Experience multi-cultural setting

Basic Computer skills

QUALIFICATIONS)

(MINIMUM)

EDUCATION :

High School Graduate / GED required. Successful completion of a network approved Community Health Worker / Care Coordinator training required within one year of hire or within one year of this job description adoption.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE :

1-2 years of experience working in a community-based setting. Knowledge of medical terminology preferred.

WORK SCHEDULE :

Full-time Monday-Friday day shift, weekends as needed

Please complete your application using your full legal name and current home address. Be sure to include employment history for the past seven (7) years, including your present employer. Additionally, you are encouraged to upload a current resume, including all work history, education, and / or certifications and licenses, if applicable. It is highly recommended that you create a profile at the conclusion of submitting your first application. Thank you for your interest in St. Luke's!!

St. Luke's University Health Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ()