** 2 positions available. 1 position is bilingual (English/Spanish) required.  1 position is bilingual preferred. *** 

Brief Description

Under the direction of the Chief Behavioral Health Officer, and in collaboration with health center clinical leadership the Community Health Worker (CHW) will provide ongoing outreach, education and increased access to services to enhance client/patient connectivity to available treatment resources. Additionally, CHW will evaluate the effectiveness of community-wide efforts to meet the identified needs in the area of chronic and/or persistent behavioral health issues of Pillars Community Health’s medical patients/clients.

Works collaboratively with cross-departmental health and human service workers for successful integration of services and whole-health care on behalf of patient/clients as part of a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Engages individuals in health education/promotion events and services offered by Pillars community Health through the program.
• Assists individuals in understanding their service needs and the organizations’ service offerings.
• In collaboration with other outreach and care coordination personnel and efforts, conducts outreach to community members and other organizations in the near-west Chicago suburbs regarding substance use and behavioral health.
• Advocates for the individual and helps reduce the barriers to access to services.
• Utilizes screening tools to assess the social determinants of health (SDOH) needs of patients and connect patient with internal/external resources to address those needs
• Educates the surrounding community about organizational services and general healthcare through community presentations, tabling, canvassing, and other outreach activities
• Reviews the PRAPARE screening tools completed by health center patients and connect with patients who screen as potentially benefitting from community linkage to services.
• Connects with patients in person both on site and in the community, as well as via telehealth (phone and video conferencing software)
• Linkage to care: Facilitate referrals to and assessing of services at culturally responsive healthcare providers and systems of care; help participants succeed in overcoming barriers to making appointments and then keeping them (follow-up, coordination of mobility, etc.).
• Assist with understanding health insurance and patient assistance programs, connecting patients/clients to internal Patient Benefit & Eligibility Representatives where necessary.
• Case Management: The CHW will have a case load of patients in need of connection to internal and external services and resources.
• Assists participants through peer support and frequent communication/follow-up utilizing contact, participation, outreach, counseling, and referrals.
• Cultivate collaborative relationships with partner services and agencies, including substance use disorder providers, housing organizations, supportive employment programs, and other social service agencies.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of mental health and substance use, harm reduction, and community health-related topics through trainings, webinars, community meetings, etc. Understands how to communicate medically accurate information to a variety of audiences with varying levels of health literacy.
• Maintains confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries in accordance with program and organizational policies and guidelines.
• Where/when applicable, responsible for timely and accurate documentation and coding of patient/client care, notes, forms, statistical reports, records and all interactions. Submits required documentation to supervisor within designated timeframes.
• Participates in and contributes actively to supervisory and team/unit meetings, care coordination meetings with medical, psychiatric, and behavioral health providers/team members and community-based workers as necessary, in-house training sessions, conference and other activities as may be required.
• Engages in ongoing conversation and learning with Community Health Workers and other case management and community outreach staff in other lines of service within the organization, and partners with those staff on projects for the benefit of health center patients
• Participates in administrative and care coordination meetings to facilitate the ongoing mission of integration of health services
• Keeps the focus of the position on client/patient care at the center always
• Works collaboratively with colleagues in medical and behavioral health providers, clinicians and other patient/client care team members.
• Seeks personal ongoing professional development in substance abuse, health education, mental health, etc. assimilating knowledge and skill into ongoing professional practice.
• Maintains current Basic Life Support (“BLS”) Certification and submits record of such to HR and Credentialing and Compliance Departments where necessary

Other:

• Attends all department and all staff meetings as required
• Participates in company projects as needed/directed
• In compliance with all agency policies
• Adheres to OSHA guidelines for a safe work environment
• Complies with all applicable company policies, grant rules, laws, including but not limited to medical records laws, HIPAA confidentiality, OSHA and the corporate compliance program
• Meets PCH health & immunization/vaccination requirements
• Performs other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with a disability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s Degree in Health Education, Health Promotion, Occupational Health, Disease Management, Behavioral health or other closely related healthcare focus.  Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted for degree.

At least 1 year of experience providing community health education/outreach is required.  Community Health Worker Certification preferred.  Knowledge of clinical reporting requirements preferred.  FQHC background or experience in outpatient setting highly preferred.

LANGUAGE

Bilingual Spanish/English skills required for 1 of the 2 positions.

DEMONSTRATED COMPETENCIES

• Familiarity with collaborative services and programs in mental health and substance use
• Demonstrated knowledge of models of behavioral and primary integrated care
• Supports the evidence-based philosophical approach to treatment
• Practices cultural humility with a commitment to reducing barriers to healthcare for marginalized and/or low-income individuals
• Passion for public health outreach and serving the low-income population
• Ability to lead small groups and facilitate group conversations communicating clearly and effectively
• Ability to interact with all levels of the community and professionally represent the organization publicly
• Demonstrates integrity and self-confidence. Is resourceful and assertive
• Computer proficiency in electronic health records preferred; internet and e-mail, Microsoft Office software and/or Google Docs required
• Highly organized with ability to multi-task and willingness to learn new tasks
• Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to track and input data
• Ability to work within a team environment
• Critical and analytical thinker with ability comprehend and retain information for on-the-spot use
• Flexible to work evenings and Saturdays on a shared schedule if/when needed

OTHER

Flexible to work evenings and Saturdays on a shared schedule if/when needed.  Must maintain a safe driving record and have current valid Illinois Driver’s License.  Personal vehicle needed for travel into the community for outreach work, meetings, and events.  Mileage for authorized work-related purposes is reimbursable