This is a full-time, grant-funded position for one year and renewable for two additional years based on the success of the program; for someone interested in helping patients with both medical and social problems to improve their access and utilization of healthcare services.
A Community Health Worker (CHW) is a trusted member of the community who helps patients better access and coordinate their plan of care. We believe that CHWs have the skills and experience to understand what patients are going through and help them address the social and medical problems that lead to poor health. The goal of a community health worker is to assist the most high-risk patients with the tasks of getting psychiatric/medical care, working on health goals (such as arranging care, filling medication prescriptions, planning healthy meals, or finding time to exercise), and to help them deal with the "real-life" issues that keep them from staying healthy.
The CHW will work with patients receiving care at Mass General Brigham Emergency Departments. CHWs are integrated into the emergency medicine team, serving as a bridge between the team and patients in the community. As a CHW in our department, you will develop trusting working relationships with your patients and be supported by a team that includes social workers, nurses and physicians.
Qualifications
PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provide community health work services for patients identified as high-risk due to social determinants.
Attend initial and continuing education training programs including self-directed reading and in-person and online learning.
Work with patient and interdisciplinary team to set goals for patient's care.
Meet patients in the emergency department, primary care clinic or hospital to reinforce and advance patient goals.
Coordinate resources for identified problems including community mental health services, homelessness, substance abuse and food insecurity.
Make follow-up calls to patients after discharge.
Motivate patients to meet their health goals.
Provide culturally sensitive services to patients from different cultures.
Assist patients with organizing their records, making follow-up appointments, and filling their prescriptions.
Help patients fill out applications for Medical Assistance and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).
Provide advocacy, patient education and support in accessing community-based and hospital-based programs.
Refer to internal or external care management services when other issues are identified (i.e., food insecurity, domestic violence, etc.)
Document each patient encounter in detail.
Prepare reports and documents as needed or requested.
Attend a clinical team meeting with program supervisors.
Other duties as reasonably assigned.
Qualifications - External
QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree preferred.
Spanish and/or Haitian Creole fluency preferred.
SKILLS/ABILITIES/COMPETENCIES REQUIRED:
Local community resident with good knowledge of the resources of the community.
Prior experience as a community health worker, patient navigator health coach or outreach worker desired; health care experience a plus but not required.
Demonstrated commitment to impacting the care of high-risk patients.
Solid knowledge of the Core Competencies for CHWs (as identified by Massachusetts, Department of Public Health):
Outreach Methods and Strategies
Client and Community Assessment
Effective Communication
Culturally Based Communication and Care
Health Education for Behavioral Change
Support, Advocate and Coordinate Care for Clients
Apply Public Health Concepts and Approaches
Community Capacity Building
Writing and Technical Communication Skills
Special Topics in Community Health
Prior experience using motivational interviewing a plus but not required.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Ability to carry out written and oral instructions.
Ability to exercise judgment in the application of professional services.
Self-motivated.
Ability to work both independently and as a team member in multicultural settings.
Detail-oriented with the ability to multi-task.
Ability to plan and structure workday.
Comfortable with community visits and outreach
Strong time management, organizational and planning skills.
Must have two references.
Must successfully pass a background check and pre-employment physical exam.
Must be willing to commit to the full time period of employment.
Proficient in all Microsoft Applications, including MS Word and Excel.
Able to perform computer data entry.
Able to navigate virtual care platforms, like Zoom
EEO Statement
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, veteran status, disability unrelated to job requirements, genetic information, military service, or other protected status.
