Community Health Worker

Overview

POWER's mission is to help women reclaim their lives from addiction and related emotional health issues and improve the well-being of future generations. We are an agency committed to providing quality gender-responsive, trauma-informed treatment and recovery supportive services to women with substance use and co-occurring disorders.

Community Health Workers (CHWs) have a close understanding of the community that they serve and build trusting relationships with community members, including those from diverse backgrounds, to connect those individuals to resources and care. The effectiveness of CHWs lies in their ability to gain access to hard-to-reach individuals, particularly those living in underserved communities and to patiently coach and support them as they work towards health care goals by addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) needs. This position includes face to face and telephonic contact with individuals receiving services, their families and the community.  This position will be in the community, managing a caseload.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to :

Complete a standardized Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) assessment for each person receiving services, initially and at least quarterly, for the duration of the service.

Provide referrals and linkages to address SDOH needs including housing, transportation, peer support, career training, and social supports.

Identify individuals who qualify for Medical Assistance and assist them with completing necessary forms / applications to enroll or maintain HealthChoices coverage.

Uploading any document belonging in the medical record, which would be recovery crisis plans, med recs, etc.

Assist individuals with identifying gaps in care and provide linkages to health-related services.

Assist in scheduling appointments as needed

Serve as an outreach coordinator and create connections between vulnerable populations and the health care system

Promote wellness by encouraging cultural competence and humility among health care professionals serving vulnerable populations

Help individuals manage chronic conditions through education about their treatment plan and work with the provider to ensure the plan is acceptable to the individual

Assist individuals obtain preventative services by referring and linking the individual to a primary care physician

Advocate for vulnerable populations within the health care system and the community at large

Build relationships and interact professionally with local health and social service providers

Provide referrals and linkages to home and community-based services

Offer flexibility in schedule to meet individual’s needs. This may include some evenings and weekend hours.

Other duties as assigned or requested.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent required. Associate's degree in human services,  social work, or public health administration or related field preferred.

Lived experience among the population to be served (this can be related to geography, physical or behavioral health, race, immigration status, SOGIE identification, etc). Experience in a women-centered treatment environment or with gender-responsive care preferred.

Knowledge of chronic health conditions, addiction and recovery programs preferred

Must have valid driver's license, with minimum of 1-2 years legal driving experience and access to a vehicle.

Complete CHW training and certification within 1 year of hire

Sufficient computer skills to complete documentation in an electronic health record, assist Individuals with internet-based benefits enrollments, and complete other assigned duties

Experience with or openness to working with diverse populations

Effective interpersonal and engagement skills.

Good communication skills, both written and verbal.

Value for and ability to deliver excellent customer service.

Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Self-directed and flexible to meet the needs of administration and management, and ability to manage multiple tasks.

Understand and support a trauma informed system of care.

Model and support clients and staff in health and wellness activities and with using healthy coping skills.

Support organization’s mission with a sensitivity of cultural diversity and workplace harmony.

Ability to secure required clearances including, but not limited to, Act 33 and 34 clearances.

Working Conditions

Prolonged periods of standing, bending, sitting, kneeling.

Ability to work and deliver services in the community including in clients’ homes, hospitals and health care facilities, wellness fairs, the Allegheny County Jail, and other locations throughout Allegheny County.

Ability to work the hours necessary to complete the work.

Disclaimer

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not restrict or prescribe the tasks that may be assigned.

Critical features of this job have been described in the narrative.  They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

POWER is an equal opportunity employer and provider

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