Community Health Worker

Community Health Worker

Southeast Louisiana AHEC –

Full-time + Benefits

Southeast Louisiana AHEC, in collaboration with the Office of Public Health, has an opening for a people-centered highly motivated Community Health Worker (full-time) in support of COVID-19 Response and the Community HealthWays program.

Louisiana Office of Public Health The Office of Public Health (OPH) is one of five agencies within the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) and is charged with protecting and promoting the health of the communities of our state. The agency operates over 50 extensive programs utilizing staff in 60 Parish Health Units and 2 specialty clinics, 9 regional offices, 3 centers, 14 Bureaus, and approximately 600 contractual agreements. The Bureau of Regional and Clinical Operations (BRCO) is housed within OPH’s Center of Community and Preventive Health and manages the Agency’s 9 Regional Public Health Offices and 62 Public Health Units (PHU) in developing and delivering preventive clinical services and population health activities.

Community HealthWays is an initiative within BRCO aimed at helping individuals identify and address health-related social needs to improve their quality of life. This is done by using Community Health Workers to screen and navigate clients within the state’s Parish Health Units to appropriate community programs and resources.

Position Summary: The Community Health Worker’s role is to help assist in regional COVID-19 pandemic response efforts, as well as implement the Community HealthWays program by assisting clients to address health-related social needs. The CHW serves as a link between the PHUs and community programs and resources.

This position works under the direction of the Regional Community Health Worker Supervisor.

Essential Responsibilities (include but not limited to):

• COVID-19 Response Responsibilities:

o Work with regional COVID-19 Resource Coordinators to facilitate care coordination, case management, resource delivery, and system navigation for hard to reach populations

o Assist with delivery of resources and services, such as food, testing kits, personal protective equipment (PPE), and other immediate needs

o Assist regional public health team with vaccination and/or testing efforts

o Conduct outreach to communities

• Community HealthWays Responsibilities:

o Help clients with social issues like homelessness, hunger and employment

o Meet clients in the PHU or other community location and conduct a needs assessment, including helping patients to set goals

o Develop relationships and communicate with individuals in a professional and empathetic manner; maintaining emotional and cultural awareness.

o Make referrals to local organizations to facilitate access to services and resources

o Make regular follow-up calls and in-person visits with clients

o Motivate clients to meet their identified goals

o Protect and maintain individuals’ privacy and confidentiality

o Document each client encounter in detail

• Community Health Worker Outreach, Education, and General Responsibilities:

o Work with other team members to create and maintain a directory of community resources (e.g. food banks, housing assistance programs, childcare resources, etc.) in parish or region.

o Provide culturally appropriate health education and information

o Attend parish and regional coalition meetings; share CHW and public health information with partner organizations

o Prepare reports and documents as needed or requested.

o Attend a regular team meeting with other CHWs, and program supervisors

o Other duties as reasonably assigned

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• A natural helper
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of individuals in a diverse community
• Knowledge of community programs and resources
• Knowledge of parishes, communities, and areas where position is located
• Knowledge of transportation and other barriers that may be encountered by clients
• Ability to work within a team
• Ability to build trust with individual clients
• Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate individual client plans
• Ability to create relationships and network with other community programs
• Ability to outreach and market program as a valuable resource to community
• Skill in use of personal computers and related software applications (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) and motivation / ability to learn new technology to support program effectiveness

Education and Experience:

• Minimum High School or equivalent
• At least 2 years of relevant work experience within the healthcare, social services or community organization fields
• Associate, Bachelor or higher degree in relevant field may substitute for work experience
• Bilingual ( especially Spanish and/or Vietnamese) individuals encouraged to apply

Travel Requirements:

• This position requires regular travel throughout the parish. There is also occasional travel to regional meetings and other statewide meetings and/or conferences.
• A valid driver’s license is required for this position. Use of a rental car or mileage reimbursement will be provided.

How to Apply:

Please submit the following documents.

• Cover Letter (detailing experiences related to responsibilities and qualifications)
• Resume
• Completed Application

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $38,000.00 - $42,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• relevant: 2 years (Required)

Language:

• Bilingual (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person