Community Health Worker-Women's Health presso Swope Health Services

The Community Health Worker-Medical (CHW) provides a variety of direct services to Swope Health patients including aiding communication between providers and patients, increasing access to primary care through culturally competent outreach and enrollment strategies, advocating for the needs of the individual and community, assisting patients/caregivers with navigating healthcare systems, and promoting wellness by providing health coaching and support the patient to build capacity to achieve wellness.

The CHW may perform clinic or program-specific functions under the direction of the Clinic Manager (such as outreach activities for the assigned clinic) or global Swope Health functions under the Direction of the Chief Quality Officer (such as centralized facilitation of hospital discharge follow up) 

Primary Functions:

* Explain the purpose and services of the program to the patient and the goals that the program or service strives to accomplish. 

* Assist with the development and implementation of health management/care plans with the patient and care team members (nurses, providers, social work). 

* Provide individual assistance to persons in navigating needed health care services including behavioral health, Accompanying individuals to appointments to address medical or other health needs. 

* Using standardized tools assess the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) that may pose barriers to patients/clients Accessing healthcare services and/or managing chronic illnesses. 

* Assisting the person/family to access and utilize a variety of community agencies and resources to provide ongoing social, educational, vocational and recreational support and activities to address SDOH barriers. 

* Coach patients in effective management of their chronic health conditions. 

* Maintain contact with Swope Health patients during hospitalizations and participate and/or facilitate discharge planning Including scheduling discharge follow up appointments for Adults, postpartum women, and newborn infants. Provide the patient or caregiver with assistance in keeping their scheduled appointment (such as assisting with transportation). 

* Assist in navigating and connecting with community-based resources and services such as WIC. Assist patients in Utilizing resources, including scheduling appointments, and assisting with completion of applications for programs for which they may be eligible. 

* Assisting in creating personal support systems that include working with family members, legal guardians or significant others regarding the needs and abilities of an identified person. 

* Act as the patient's primary contact point with Swope Health when needed. 

* Act as a liaison between the patient and other agencies when necessary. 

* Establish positive, supportive relationships with patients and provide feedback to the care team

* Initiates other reports and records as required. 

* Facilitate communication and coordinate services between providers 

* Motivate clients to be active, engaged participants in their health 

* Effectively work with people (staff, patients, doctors, agencies, etc.) from diverse backgrounds in reducing cultural And socioeconomic barriers between clients and institutions 

* Build and maintain positive working relationships with the clients, providers, nurse care managers, agency representatives, supervisors, and office staff. 

* Continuously expand knowledge and understanding of community resources, series and programs provided; human relations and the procedures used in dealing with the public as part of a service or program; volunteer resources and the practices associated with using volunteers, operation, functions, policies and procedures associated with the department or program area, procedures and resources available to handle new, unusual of different situations. 

* Create and maintain a library of above resources for other Swope Health staff to utilize 

* Identify and apply appropriate role definition and skilled boundaries. 

*Performs other duties as assigned

Educational Requirements: 

High school diploma or GED equivalent. 

Experience & Qualifications:

* Willingness to learn, excellent communication skills, cultural competence for the specific population. 

* Commitment to serving the community, shared values and experiences of the people being served. 

* Knowledge about health issues and the health care system. 

* Flexible schedule and transportation. 

* Good communication skills, speaking, writing, listening, prior use of electronic documentation systems preferred. Some positions. 

* Bilingual preferred. 

* Strong interpersonal skills, ability to be respectful and honest, resolve conflict, and facilitate empowerment. 

* Ability to work independently, take initiative and be self-directed. 

* Ability to identify and use community resources, 

* Must have current, valid driver's license, transportation and appropriate automobile insurance and be able to drive extensively. 

Swope Health Services supports its team members with:

• Medical benefits (including a Health Savings Account option), dental and vision
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Company-paid benefits such as life insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, and Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account
• Paid Days Off beginning at 12 days annually, effective the first day of employment
• Nine annual company-paid holidays; One annual paid personal day.

About Swope Health Services: 

Each year, Swope Health serves over 45,000 patients, encompassing more than 200,000 visits in four counties on both sides of the state line. Our team members are proud of the work we do and the promise we've made – delivering coordinated care that values the needs of the whole person and championing better health in our community. 

Swope Health is a special place that cares for the people who need it most, wherever they are in the community. As part of our promise to battle health inequities and provide high-quality, comprehensive care, we make care visible. That means we proudly deliver our promise through every action, every day.