Community Wellness Worker

Alternatives Overview:

Our mission is to inspire young people to create a just future through practices that heal individuals, restore communities, and transform systems. Since 1971, Alternatives has modeled innovative alternatives to the status quo in Chicago's youth services field. Our school and community-based therapy, prevention and leadership development programs support young people to individually and collectively address causes of substance abuse, grief and trauma while building social-emotional, career and social change skills. In addition to working directly with young people, we train, coach and advocate for youth-serving institutions like Chicago Public Schools to be restorative and trauma-informed. 

Position Overview: 

The Community Health Worker will serve as a bridge between the patient, the medical system, and community-based organizations by building trusting relationships with community members served by the program. The Community Health Worker will also help in identifying barriers to accessing quality care, work with individuals to overcome these barriers, provide relevant referrals, follow-up with clients accordingly.

Responsibilities: 

Perform the following from a racial, gender, sexuality, and ability equity lens: 

• Conduct comprehensive Health Risk Assessments (HRA) with individuals living in targeted West Side Chicago zip codes.
• Ensure accurate documentation of patient assessments, demographics, and identified health concerns in the designated online portal.
• Assist patients in accessing community resources, such as food assistance, housing support, and health services.
• Schedule appointments with healthcare providers and provide ongoing support to ensure patient follow-through.
• Make appropriate referrals to Medical Home Community Health Workers at Wellness West primary care practices for continued care and engagement.
• Educate community members on the importance of primary care engagement, preventive health measures, and wellness strategies.
• Conduct home visits to assess patient needs, provide education, and support access to healthcare services.
• Follow up with patients referred to primary care to ensure continuity of care and address any barriers to access.
• Collect, record, and analyze program data to track patient engagement and health outcomes.
• Maintain up-to-date records in ETO and other required databases in compliance with agency standards and privacy regulations.
• Prepare reports and share data insights with the team to inform program improvements.
• Conduct outreach at community events to promote services and complete HRAs.
• Serve as a liaison between patients and healthcare providers to facilitate communication and service access.
• Advocate for patients by assisting them in navigating the healthcare system and addressing social determinants of health.
• Participate in weekly one-on-one and team meetings to provide updates on outreach and prevention activities.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure holistic support for patients.
• Attend all required trainings and workshops to stay informed on best practices, policies, and interventions related to health promotion.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to Positive Youth Development, Restorative Justice, and Trauma-Informed Care in all interactions with patients and the community.
• Uphold the organization’s mission, values, and policies in daily responsibilities and engagements.
• Complete all other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor in a timely and professional manner.

Qualification: 

1. High school diploma or GED required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred.
2. Familiarity with Chicago’s West Side communities (residency in a West Side community preferred).
3. Experience in community health, case management, or social services preferred.
4. Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and build rapport with diverse populations.
5. Proficiency in collaborating with healthcare providers and multi-disciplinary teams.
6. Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to multitask and prioritize responsibilities.
7. Ability to work independently and demonstrate initiative in outreach efforts.
8. Punctual, reliable, and willing to engage in ongoing learning and development.
9. Ability to maintain professional and confidential relationships with patients and care teams.
10. Cultural competency in working with Black/Latinx and LGBTQ+ youth and families.
11. Knowledge of adolescent/family dynamics, substance abuse, and trauma-informed practices.
12. Comfortable working flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed.
13. Ability to use technology for documentation, scheduling, and communication (e.g., Google Suite, ETO, telehealth platforms).
14. Experience with or willingness to learn assessment tools for hypertension, diabetes, and mild to moderate depression.
15. Consistently learning and working within the following frameworks: Anti-oppression, Positive Youth Development, Trauma-informed and Balanced and Restorative Justice.
16. Committed to working in a community-based, youth-centered organization, with flexibility, cultural responsiveness, and a high level of professionalism and confidentiality
17. The COVID vaccine is mandatory for all employees to the full extent permissible under applicable law.