Community Health Worker (Los Banos / Dos Palos) presso Golden Valley Health Centers

The Community Health Worker (CHW) is responsible for providing outreach / education services of projects to meet program requirements. Requires strong interpersonal skills to make connections, building relationships with target patient/client base. Works with community-based agencies, making critical linkages to health information and services for community members. An advocate for community health, the CHW also works to educate the general public on the services available at GVHC and eligibility requirements.

This position will provide outreach support for our Los Banos and Dos Palos Sites.

Full-time schedule, with required flexibility to work Monday – Sunday 5:00am to 9:00pm, as they represent GVHC at health fairs and community events.

Compensation:
$21.46 - $22.53 an hour

Golden Valley Health Centers offers excellent benefits including Medical: (0 Deductible / $2,000 Individual; $4,000 Family Out-of-Pocket Max), excellent PPO coverages; Dental; Vision; 403(b) with match, FSA plans, gym discounts, and so much more!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities    

• Inform patients or community members about the importance of and availability of health services (in small groups and/or community presentations) using established curricula and processes on health topics such as behavioral health, migrant health, homeless health, women’s health, pediatric/adolescent health, oral health, and others.
• Raising awareness of mental health needs in the community through education and outreach activities
• Identifying other community needs
• Providing direct education and community linkage services to homeless persons within GVHC
• Attends and actively participate in community events such as health fairs and community forums, as a representative of GVHC
• Provide outreach and discuss health care concerns with patients or community members to increase access to and use of GVHC’s myriad health service options, including behavioral health, women’s health, primary care, dental and chiropractic care.
• Provide health screening services at events, such as blood pressure checks
• Help connect patients or community members with needed community and GVHC services
• Serve as an advocate for community members and health providers to help patients navigate the health care system
• Help individuals understand their health insurance/program options, and link to appropriate resources for enrollment
• Assist in the collection and facilitation of information or data needed by programs, including but not limited to participant tracking and appointment scheduling
• Maintains inventory of materials necessary to conduct outreach efforts
• Attends and participates in all appropriate GVHC staff meetings, work groups, etc.
• Follow Health Education and Outreach Department expectations regarding productivity and programmatic requirements
• Participates in mandatory trainings and update meetings related to the program to build and maintain current knowledge base of awareness and prevention in the specific area of health addressed by the project.
• Complete individual or other projects as required

Min. Qualifications        

KNOWLEDGE:  Strong knowledge of community served; Community resources in service area; Special populations such as patients with behavioral health needs, migrant health, homelessness, adolescent health, women’s health and others; working knowledge of and experience with computers

ABILITY TO:  Work independently with minimum supervision.  Able to communicate fluently in English and another language commonly spoken by GVHC patients.  Written communication skills in English adequate to draft reports, memos, business correspondence, etc.   Able to effectively organize and present information in group settings, both formal and informal. Pleasant and effective communication skills; strong interpersonal/communication skills.   Able to work effectively both independently and collaboratively. Self-starter. Travel to other locations as requested.  Own vehicle with valid registration and current California driver’s license and proof of insurance; clean DMV printout.  Flexibility in working hours which may include weekends and evenings. Complete all required training within three months of hire date.

Physical Demands          

The employee must occasionally lift 40 pounds and/or move up to 100 pounds (on wheels). Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to hear staff on the phone and those who are served in-person, and speak clearly in order to communicate information to clients and staff.  Must have vision with or without lenses adequate to read memos, a computer screen, personnel forms and clinical and administrative documents.  Must have high manual dexterity.  Must be able to reach above the shoulder level to work, must be able to bend, squat and sit, stand, stoop, crouching, reaching, kneeling, and twisting/turning.

Work Environment        

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  The noise level in the work environment is usually average, but can be loud during outreach activities.

Education/Experience Requirements   

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience working in community education, customer service or health care setting
• Strong relationship with and understanding of community served
• Fluency in spoken and written English and other language.