Community Health Worker
Job Title: Community Health Worker
Reports To: Housing Stabilization Supervisor
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Location: Onsite, Temporary Full-time Project Position, Variable Schedule from 8am – 8pm (may include weekends)
Why work at MCCAC?
Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC), located in the heart of the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, serves Hood River, Wasco and Sherman Counties. MCCAC offers programs and services to ensure our most vulnerable community members have access to healthy, safe, stable and affordable housing. This is accomplished through our housing, and energy/utility payment assistance programs. MCCAC envisions a thriving community where our friends and neighbors have opportunities to be successful and thrive.
Summary:
The Community Health Worker (CHW) works in partnership with One Community Health’s mobile medical unit to connect community members with health care, MCCAC programs, and other community resources. The CHW provides outreach, resource navigation, referrals, case management and follow-up to individuals experiencing barriers to accessing health care and supportive services throughout Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman Counties. This position works closely with MCCAC staff, One Community Health, and community partners to support access to services and resources.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Mobile Medical Unit and Health Navigation
Partner with One Community Health’s mobile medical unit to connect community members with health care and supportive services.
Engage individuals accessing mobile medical services to identify barriers to care and other health-related needs.
Assist community members with navigating health care services, referrals, appointments, and ongoing care.
Coordinate referrals and warm handoffs with MCCAC staff, One Community Health, health care providers, and community partners.
Provide health education and information using approved resources and materials.
Follow up with community members to support successful connections to care and address barriers that may prevent access to services.
Outreach & Community Engagement
Conduct outreach throughout MCCAC’s service area to connect community members with available health care and supportive services.
Engage individuals in a variety of community settings, including shelters, rural areas, public spaces, community events, mobile service locations, and partner sites.
Build trusting relationships with community members who may experience barriers to accessing health care and social services.
Participate in outreach events and coordinated outreach activities with MCCAC staff and community partners.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with local service providers, health care providers, and community-based organizations.
Resource Navigation & Follow-Up
Assist community members in identifying and accessing health care, behavioral health, housing, food, transportation, benefits, and other community resources.
Identify barriers to accessing services and assist individuals with navigating available resources.
Advocate for community members as needed to support access to health care and community services.
Maintain current knowledge of MCCAC programs, community resources, eligibility requirements, and referral processes.
Coordinate with MCCAC Housing Stabilization staff when individuals need ongoing housing or shelter support.
Assist community members with completing forms, scheduling appointments, accessing patient portals, and navigating other administrative steps necessary to access services, as appropriate.
Follow up on referrals and service connections as appropriate.
Documentation & Coordination
Document outreach contacts, referrals, follow-up activities, and other required program information in a timely manner.
Maintain confidentiality of community member information and follow MCCAC privacy and documentation requirements.
Coordinate with MCCAC staff, One Community Health, and community partners to support continuity of services.
Participate in staff meetings, partner meetings, trainings, and other program activities as assigned.
Track outreach activities, referrals, and service connections as required for program reporting.
Qualifications & Skills:
Skills, knowledge, and demonstrated abilities in areas of community health, social services, outreach, and resource navigation.
Knowledge of health care and social service systems, community resources, and barriers to accessing services, or demonstrated ability to learn.
Strong interpersonal, communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to build trust and effectively engage individuals experiencing barriers to health care and supportive services.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Experience working with diverse communities and community partners.
Existing knowledge of and/or community relationships in MCCAC’s service area.
Ability to exercise strong professional judgment and professionalism and to establish and maintain positive work relationships with community members, co-workers, health care providers, and community partners.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries.
Proficiency with Windows and Microsoft Office applications required. Experience with data entry and electronic documentation systems a plus.
Strong commitment to equity and racial justice.
Ability to read, write, and speak clearly and effectively.
Ability to travel. Infrequent overnight and out-of-area travel for training opportunities and conferences. Frequent local travel within MCCAC’s service area.
Valid driver’s license and current insurance required.
Education & Experience:
High School diploma or GED equivalent required.
Experience in community outreach, community health, social services, health care navigation, peer support, houseless services, or a related field.
Experience working in a community-based organization or directly with individuals experiencing houselessness, poverty, or other barriers to health care and social services preferred.
Must maintain and/or obtain Community Health Worker certification.
Competencies:
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
Diversity - Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; promotes a harassment-free environment.
Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Uses equipment and materials properly.
Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to kneel, bend, stoop, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, talk and listen and must regularly stand and walk
The employee regularly lifts up to 25 lbs.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, similar to that of a busy office
This position may be exposed to the outdoors for short periods of time during varying temperatures.
Application deadline: Open until filled
Starting salary: $24.10/hour
How to apply: Please send a resume and cover letter to mfernandez@mccac.com.
