Community Health Worker - St. Francis Physician Services

At Bon Secours Mercy Health, we are dedicated to continually improving health care quality, safety and cost effectiveness. Our hospitals, care sites and clinicians are recognized for clinical and operational excellence.

Primary Function of Role

The Community Health Worker (CHW) is a trusted member of the communities in which they work. The primary role of the CHW is to serve as liaisons between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.  CHWs focus on addressing social needs so that the patient can improve upon the health of themselves and their families. CHWs build individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, education, informal counseling, social support, and advocacy. The CHW is responsible for: educating and assisting individuals and communities to meet their social needs and health goals; providing information on available resources; coordinating the plan of care; social support and informal counseling; advocating for individual and community health needs; and possibly providing services such as first aid and blood pressure screening. The CHW may also collect data to help identify community health needs and assist with closing healthcare gaps. The CHW will be working in the Outpatient, Inpatient, ED and neighborhood settings.

Employment Qualifications-Minimum

• High School Diploma/GED General Studies
• 1-3 years’ experience in working with underserved and/or uninsured patient populations
• Ability to prioritize, organize and complete daily work and assigned tasks both independently and with team members with minimal direct supervision
• Competency in basic computer skills (Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel)
• BLS- Basic Life Support Certification required but will provide necessary training if needed

Employment Qualifications-Preferred

• The minimum listed above along with:
• Some college credits/enrolled in current courses towards community health, public health or related discipline

• Working towards certification as Community Health Worker
• Previous work in health care, outreach work, community health, case management, and social work preferred
• Literacy in other languages (i.e. Spanish, ASL, etc)
• Knowledge of the social determinants of health (SDOH) and their impact on health
• Knowledge of basic case management principles and practices preferred
• Exceptional skills in public speaking
• Previous work experience and/or training in a not-for-profit organization
• Ability to deal with patients in crisis situations, and know when to refer to a provider or partner organization for immediate needs, such as behavioral health assistance.

    Essential Job Functions

• Community health navigation:
  • Work with clients to reduce barriers in attending scheduled medical visits.
  • Assist patients/community members in obtaining and optimizing health coverage, connecting to primary care providers, and reduce ED utilization.
  • Provide relevant screenings as appropriate, including Social Determinants of Health Screening
  • Connect clients to other local resources they may need (ex: food, clothing, housing, education, jobs, GED training, etc).  Document all client interactions in an online database.
  • Establish partnerships with existing Health System staff, community social workers, and other community workers.
• Outreach Support: 
  • Responsible for outreach both in the community and with local partners.
  • Conduct in community visits with patients/community members to assess their needs, provide support, and monitor their progress.
  • Contact patients/community members in person, by phone, or in writing to lower barriers for completing required or recommended actions.
  • Advocate for patients/community members to receive culturally competent health services or information.
  • Refer patients/community members to needed health services.
  • Assist families to apply for social services, including Medicaid or Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
  • Develop plans or formal contracts for individuals, families, or community groups to improve overall health.
  • Know and build relationships with local community members and leaders to determine health and social needs of the community and to build trust. 
• Community education and advocacy: 
  • Serves as a community connection point for convening community residents around public health programs, research interventions, and community assessments. 
  • Advocates for community change through participation in City and Statewide initiatives. 
  • Advise clients or community groups on issues related to their care.
• Customer Service: 
  • Consistently provide courteous, friendly, and solutions-oriented services to all clients. 
  • Arrive to work on time and keeps appointments on time. 
  • Use available resources to answer client questions accurately, thoroughly, completely, and in a timely manner. 
  • Maintain updated records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information.

IV.       Other Job Functions

1. Other duties as assigned.

V.         Working Conditions

1. Must provide own transportation.

2. Travels between clinic sites in all weather conditions

3. The individual performing this job may reasonably anticipate coming into contact with human blood and other potential infectious materials. Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control. Some lifting of small children may be required.

VI.       Office Equipment Used

Must be proficient in the use of a telephone, copier, computer (keyboard, screen, printer) and electronic medical record

Many of our opportunities reward* your hard work with:

Comprehensive, affordable medical, dental and vision plans
Prescription drug coverage
Flexible spending accounts
Life insurance w/AD&D
Employer contributions to retirement savings plan when eligible
Paid time off
Educational Assistance
And much more

*Benefits offerings vary according to employment status

All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you'd like to view a copy of the affirmative action plan or policy statement for Mercy Health – Youngstown, Ohio or Bon Secours – Franklin, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; and Emporia, Virginia, which are Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employers, please email recruitment@mercy.com. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact The Talent Acquisition Team at recruitment@mercy.com