Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers (CHWs) will work directly with individuals in our Emergency Department with Behavioral and/or Mental Health Issues, including Substance Use Disorders. The CHW will also assist staff in support staff duties as able. Their purpose is to provide patient care that is focused on compassion and empathy, and that offers a supportive environment.

A CHW is a certified medical professional that will screen, score, and provide a Brief Intervention/Motivational Interview, if needed, to assist the patient to maintain or improve his/her mental/behavioral health by providing social support as well as individual health coaching, patient education, and referrals.

The CHW will work with a diverse range of people to ensure that they have access to the resources needed to meet their needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct initial screenings and risk assessments for patients presenting with behavioral health concerns, mental health issues, or substance use disorders in the Emergency Department.
• Administer standardized screening tools, score results, and provide Brief Interventions and Motivational Interviewing techniques as appropriate.
• Deliver compassionate, empathetic, and trauma-informed support to patients in a high-acuity emergency setting.
• Provide individual health coaching, patient education, and emotional support to promote mental and behavioral wellness.
• Connect patients to appropriate community resources, social services, treatment programs, housing assistance, transportation, and follow-up care.
• Assist Emergency Department clinical and support staff with non-clinical duties as needed to improve patient flow and experience.
• Document all patient interactions, interventions, and referrals accurately and timely in the electronic health record.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, social workers, case managers, and community partners to develop individualized care plans.
• Advocate for patients and help remove barriers to care, especially for underserved and diverse populations.
• Participate in ongoing training related to behavioral health, cultural competency, de-escalation, and motivational interviewing.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Proficient in Medical Terminology
• Must prioritize a sense of connection with the community
• Current CHW or PS Certification or completion of the certificate within 6 months.

Preferred

• Experience in the substance abuse and/or behavioral health field
• Associate degree or higher in health or human services
• Experience working in a multicultural setting
• Medical Assistant, Nursing Assistant experience preferred.

Psychological Considerations

• Able to work under stressful situations and respond to emergencies competently.  
• Able to work as part of a team.  
• Must be flexible, have problem-solving skills, prioritize, and demonstrate healthy coping mechanism.

Environmental Considerations

• Potential contamination/exposure to blood borne pathogens, body substances, biohazardous materials and infectious diseases.  
• Able to work in a temperature-controlled hospital environment.
• Occasional exposure to a variety of auditory and olfactory stimuli.