Community Health Worker (CHW)

Teche Action Clinic, A Federally Qualified Health Center, per Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act, is currently seeking qualified applicants for a Community Health Worker (CHW) in Franklin, Louisiana.  This position will cover Region 1 and travel to other TAC facilities is required.

 **This is a full-time position. Office hours are Monday - Thursday 7:30am - 5:30pm and Friday 8:00am - 12:00noon.**

JOB SUMMARY:
The Community Health Worker (CHW) promotes health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors. Serve as an advocate for the health needs of individuals by assisting community residents in effectively communicating with healthcare providers or social service agencies. Act as liaison or advocate and assist with implementing programs that promote, maintain, and improve individual and overall community health. Collect data to help identify potential, actual, and ongoing social determinants of health needs of the patients of Teche Action Clinic. This includes completing the PRAPARE Screening Tool with eCW to identify Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) that may affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. Aid with resource management, community education and utilization of services designed to meet the varying special needs of patients and their families in a culturally appropriate manner. Health system navigation and resource coordination services which may include helping patients to engage, re-engage, or ensure patient follow-up in primary care and routine preventative care.

This position requires the ability to travel to all TAC facilities as needed and the ability to work outside normal TAC business hours.

The CHW reports to the Outpatient Community Liaison & CHW Coordinator (OCL) who is under the direction of the Assistant Director of Quality and Clinical Risk Management.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Interview:
• Complete social needs interview (Social Determinants of Health) utilizing the PRAPARE Form in eCW on all Teche Action Clinic patients including those who are members of high-risk populations, including Medicare, Medicaid, Self-Pay, etc., as needed, and appropriate. and report any needs identified to Outpatient Community Liaison (supervisor).
• Identify barriers to care, especially those that currently or may negatively impact engagement in care or healthcare goals.
• Gain insight into the reasons and manner by which patients have managed their health in the context of their day-to-day lives, including any resources they currently have and/or need assistance with.
• All patients for whom a referral has been received are to be interviewed within the timeframe as determined by the provider (i.e., stat: immediate; urgent – within 24 hours; routine – within 72 hours). Referrals are completed as directed by the supervisor.
• Under the direction of the OCL, the CHW will assist in developing an appropriate intervention plan based on the findings of the patient interview and make referrals to the appropriate community resources.
• Health system navigation and resource coordination services. This may include helping to engage, re-engage, or ensure patient follow-up in primary care; routine preventative care; adherence to treatment plan; and/or self-management of chronic conditions.
• Advocate for individuals and communities regarding housing, food security, and other needs.
• Provide coaching and social support, such as basic nutrition training, recovery services for mental health and substance use disorders, and chronic disease prevention under the direction of the supervisor.
• Following the interview of the patient, document the identified needs, and state the interventions made in the patient’s chart in eCW.
• Follow-up contact with the patients is to be conducted, as needed and appropriate, on a case-by-case basis as assigned by supervisor (OCL).

COMMUNICATION:
• Perform in-person and telephonic outreach, engagement, and education of patients, families and/or caregivers regarding SDOH screening tool and resources available.
• Perform in-person and telephonic completion of PRAPARE screening tool for referred patients as well as “cold calling” of patients as assigned.
• Utilize appropriate and effective communication techniques exercising a non-judgmental, empathetic attitude.
• Communicate in a professional manner with the patient, his/her family members, and other individuals involved in his/her care.
• Communicate in a professional manner with physicians and other members of the interdisciplinary team, as needed, regarding the patient’s care and intervention plan.
• Serve as a patient advocate/liaison for internal and external resources.
• Participate in organizational, departmental, and interdisciplinary team meetings as needed as directed by supervisor.
• Provide community education as needed and appropriate as directed by supervisor.
• Collaborate with TAC marketing to ensure appropriate community education regarding available services is provided as assigned/directed by supervisor.

DOCUMENTATION:
• Maintain the confidentiality of all patient information.
• Maintain accurate, timely computer documentation according to policy requirements.
• Document appropriate Z-codes to capture SDOH needs identified.
• Complete daily assignments and SDOH screenings.
• Track and report daily outreach activities to OCL as directed.

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT:
• Work with community agencies to secure needed services for patients.
• Refer patients, family members, and others involved in their care to the appropriate community resources.
• Remain informed of resources that are available in the community and actively seek out culturally appropriate resource information that may be utilized by patients, family members, and others.
• Monitor, track, and report on patients referred to for services as directed by supervisor.

STANDARDS OF PRACTICE:
• Responsible for maintaining competency to assist patients of all ages served through Teche Action Clinic.
• Must be successful in meeting competency testing as assigned in HealthStream for all ages served through the Teche Action Program.
• Must complete onboarding and annual mandatory HealthStream learning modules assigned.
• Must participate in continuing education opportunities provided by internal and external resources as assigned by supervisor.
• BLS certified.

QUALITY:
• Complete work in a thorough, professional manner, ensuring the delivery of quality services provided through Teche Action Clinic under the direction of the supervisor.
• Exhibit a heightened sense of commitment and dedication to better meet the needs of patients and their family members.
SUPPORT DEPARTMENTAL PROCEDURES AND ACTIVITIES:
• Support the economic utilization of supplies and equipment.
• Support the philosophies, policies, procedures, and protocols of the Quality Department and the organization.
• Attend departmental meetings and required educational in-services and continuing education opportunities.
• Actively participate in the projects, functions, and committees of Teche Action Clinic as assigned.
• Exhibit willingness to function and contribute as a team member of Teche Action Clinic.

OTHER RELATED DUTIES:
• Exhibit willingness to perform other related duties and accept additional assignments from supervisor.
• Exhibit willingness to contact patients post ER/Hospital admission to discuss/schedule follow up appointments with TAC providers.
• Exhibit willingness to provide assistance with Medicaid applications.
• Maintain a positive, professional attitude when interacting with others.

CUSTOMER SERVICE/TEAMWORK:
• Promote departmental and organizational objectives by providing cooperative and courteous service to patients, families, visitors, providers, and all internal/external customers.
• Support an environment that promotes professional, effective inter/intra working relationships and reinforce the achievement of organizational goals and objectives.
• Attend customer service education as required.

SAFETY:
• Responsible for following all facility, organizational, and departmental precautions, and procedures in the performance of all job duties to ensure a safe work environment for self and others.
• Responsible for reporting all identified risks related to employee or patient safety.

CONTINUING EDUATION:
• The employee must participate in mandatory continuing education as assigned by the Clinical Educators and Supervisor and complete Community Health Worker Training Certificate within 12 months of date of hire.

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
Category II – Moderate Risk
• Tasks that involve no exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues. However, because of the nature of the work involved, the performance of Category I tasks may be necessary. These positions are of a moderate risk category for occupational exposure to communicable diseases and appropriate precautionary measures will be taken. The normal work routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluids, or tissues, but exposure or potential exposure may result as a condition of employment. Appropriate protective equipment (i.e., gloves, masks, gowns, etc.) is readily available as specified in each procedure. Personnel performing Category II tasks need not wear protective equipment, but they should be prepared to put on such protective garb on short notice.

AGES OF PATIENTS SERVED:
☒Neo-Natal Infants (0 – 11 months)
☒Child/Pediatrics (1 – 12 years)
☒Adolescents (13 – 17 years)
☒Young Adults/Adult (18 – 64 years)
☒Adult/Middle Aged (65 – 69 years)
☒Geriatric (80 + years)

QUALIFICATIONS:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty described above satisfactorily.
• Education/Experience: High School Diploma or GED. Community Health Worker Training Certificate preferred. NOTE: required to obtain Community Health Worker Training Certificate within 12 months of hire. 1 year experience with community outreach activities such as identifying health-related issues and social issues, providing culturally appropriate health and informational resources, coordinating care among patients, communities and health and social service systems, and overseeing resource access.
• Communication Ability: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to read and interpret documents, such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Must have interpersonal skills, ability to write correspondence, and ability to speak effectively with patients, co-workers, and supervisors.
• Math Ability: Ability to add and subtract two-digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10’s and 100’s. ability to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to solve practical problems. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form. Ability to work reliably and with professionalism in a high-volume, high-demand medical environment.
• Computer Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and e-mail. Prefer skills in using eCW software.
• Professional Skills: High level of confidentiality required. Ability to work independently and within a team. Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced office environment. Strong time management skills.

Benefits Package:

• Medical, Vision and Dental Health Insurance
• Accidental Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Long Term Benefits
• Short Term Benefits
• Free Life Insurance
• 401K Plan Benefits 
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Sick Time
• Set Schedule
  
• No Weekends
• National Health Service Corps Site
• 11 paid holidays
• Family-Friendly Work Environment
• Eligible for Student Loan Forgiveness through Federal and State Programs

Eligibility Requirements:

• All employees must meet eligibility standards in order to be considered for the position applying for. Internal applicants must be with be with the organization for at least one year, with no disciplinary actions on file. If you have not been with the organization for a year, approval from your direct supervisor will be needed.

**Due to CMS Mandate all applicants must be fully vaccinated prior to onboarding with TAC with the exception of an approved Medical or Religious Exemption.**