Behavioral Health Community Health Worker (BH CHW)

Heartland Community Health Center; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Heartland Community Health Center is seeking a Behavioral Health Community Health Worker (CHW) to support individuals navigating behavioral health and substance use services. You will provide one-on-one coaching, connect clients to primary care, housing, and social supports, and help them access resources within an integrated care team.

Responsibilities include recovery coaching, care coordination, documenting progress in the electronic health record, and advocacy during clinical visits.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; degree preferred.
• 1–2 years in recovery or with community members in recovery preferred.
• CHW certification preferred or willingness to obtain within 6 months.
• Experience in healthcare navigation or case management preferred.
• Knowledge of substance use disorders and trauma-informed care.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one support and recovery coaching for mental health or SUD.
• Share lived experience in a professional empathetic manner.
• Assist clients in identifying strengths and setting health goals.
• Help clients access treatment, primary care, housing, employment, and resources.
• Assist with navigating the healthcare system, appointments, detox, and programs.
• Educate on recovery options and chronic condition management.
• Advocate and follow up during clinical visits to address needs.
• Assist with transportation, insurance, and provider communication barriers.
• Connect clients to 12-step, harm reduction, recovery communities, and social networks.
• Document interactions and plans in the electronic health record.
• Coordinate with clinical teams to support holistic care.
• Educate about substance use, recovery pathways, and navigating systems.
• Participate in care coordination meetings and community outreach.
• Maintain confidentiality per HIPAA and applicable guidelines.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Trauma-informed care

Substance use disorders knowledge

Community resources knowledge

Electronic documentation

Microsoft Office

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate or Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems

Coordination tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Behavioral Health Community Health Worker (CHW)

Reports to

Director of Patient Engagement

Status

Non-Exempt (Hourly $19.00 - $25.00)

Job Purpose

The Behavioral Health Community Health Worker (CHW) utilizes both lived experience in recovery and professional training to support individuals navigating behavioral health, psychiatry, and substance use disorders (SUD) services. This role works as part of an integrated care team to provide emotional support, education, short-term care coordination, and connection to healthcare and community resources. The CHW helps clients overcome barriers, coordinate care, engage in recovery, and improve overall well-being by combining personal insight with knowledge of care systems.

Working in both clinical and community-based settings, the CHW will collaborate with Heartland’s clinical teams and external social service agencies to connect clients with appropriate services and support. This position focuses on improving health outcomes and quality of life through education, care coordination, and strengthened access to resources.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one support and recovery coaching to individuals with mental health or substance use disorders.
• Share lived experience in a professional and empathetic manner to inspire hope and demonstrate the possibility of long-term recovery.
• Assist clients in identifying strengths, setting recovery and health goals, and developing action plans.
• Support clients in accessing treatment options, primary care, housing, employment, and other community resources.
• Help clients navigate the healthcare system, including support for appointments, detox, outpatient programs, and support groups.
• Educate clients on recovery principles, treatment options, and how to manage chronic health conditions and mental wellness.
• Provide advocacy and follow up during clinical visits to ensure client needs are heard and addressed.
• Assist clients with overcoming barriers to care, including transportation, insurance access, and communication with service providers.
• Facilitate connections to 12-step programs, harm reduction resources, recovery communities, and social support networks.
• Document all interactions, service plans, and client progress accurately in the electronic health record system.
• Coordinate with clinical teams, therapists, case managers, and other staff to support holistic care.
• Educate individuals and communities about substance use, recovery pathways, and how to navigate health and social service systems.
• Participate in care coordination meetings, treatment planning, trainings, and community outreach.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to all applicable HIPAA, regulatory, and ethical guidelines.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; associate or bachelor’s degree in social work, public health, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 1-2 years in recovery from substance use disorder preferred or 1-2 years’ experience working with community members in recovery from substance use.
• Certification as a Community Health Worker preferred (or willingness to obtain within 6 months of hire).
• Experience in healthcare navigation, case management, or working with at-risk populations preferred.
• Strong understanding of substance use disorders, recovery models, and trauma-informed care.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage compassionately across diverse populations.
• Familiarity with local community resources and social service systems.
• Ability to manage boundaries and use lived experience appropriately in a professional setting.
• Proficiency in electronic documentation, coordination tools, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and auto insurance.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred but not required.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Work is primarily performed indoors in an environmentally controlled healthcare and office setting.
• The position requires movement throughout the health center and may require travel or movement between Heartland locations to perform job responsibilities.
• Work may involve exposure to infectious or contagious illnesses consistent with a healthcare environment.
• The position operates in a fast-paced environment and may involve frequent interruptions, changing priorities, and management of multiple responsibilities.
• Job duties may be performed in close proximity to patients, employees, visitors, and other members of the healthcare team.
• Regularly communicates with patients, employees, visitors, and other stakeholders and must be able to exchange and understand accurate information through appropriate communication methods.
• Performs work that may require periods of remaining stationary as well as moving throughout the work environment.
• Uses a computer and other office or healthcare-related equipment, which may include tablets, scanners, printers, telephones, and similar technology.
• Performs tasks that may require positioning, moving, or transporting equipment or materials weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Reviews, prepares, and communicates information necessary to perform the essential functions of the position, including following applicable policies, procedures, protocols, and written or verbal instructions.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Details

• Schedule: Full-time, exempt position; average of 40 hours per week.
• Generally scheduled Monday through Friday. Hours may vary based on operational needs and the responsibilities of the position, including occasional work between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
• Work Location: Heartland Community Health Center locations, as assigned based on organizational and operational needs.
• Work schedule and location may be adjusted by the supervisor as needed to support operational needs and the successful completion of position responsibilities.