Community Health Advocate

CHI St Joseph's Health; United States; On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

CHI St. Joseph's Health seeks a Community Health Advocate to bridge clinical teams and community resources, helping patients navigate care and overcome barriers. You will advocate for individuals and families, supporting wellness goals and connecting them with essential services.

You will collaborate with clinics and community partners, document interactions in the EMR, and participate in ongoing staff meetings to improve care coordination and health equity.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required.
• Associates Degree preferred.
• Strong communication and community outreach skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Relationship Building & Advocacy: Establish partnerships with patients and the healthcare team to provide ongoing support.

Skills

Relationship building

Advocacy

Communication

Cultural competence

Community outreach

Motivational interviewing

Education

High School Diploma

Associates Degree

Tools

EMR

Job description

Where You'll Work

CHI St. Joseph's Health of Park Rapids, part of CommonSpirit Health, is an award-winning, 25-bed critical access hospital located in the heart of lake country. Fully accredited by The Joint Commission, we offer a full range of services including 24/7/365 Emergency Department and Level IV Trauma Center, hospitalist program, testing, surgery, orthopedics, rehabilitation, and more so that you can experience better health.

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As our Community Health Advocate, you will serve as a vital link between our clinical teams and the community, helping patients navigate the healthcare system and overcome barriers to well-being. You will be a champion for those we serve, providing the guidance and social support necessary to foster healthy lifestyles and improve long-term outcomes. Every day you will partner with patients and their families to connect them with essential community resources, provide informal counseling, and advocate for their unique health needs. You will actively engage in community outreach, collaborate with local agencies, and collect critical data to ensure our care management remains integrated and effective. To be successful in this role, you will be a passionate, culturally competent communicator who is comfortable working both within our clinics and out in the community. We are looking for a dedicated problem‑solver who excels at relationship‑building, possesses a strong commitment to health equity, and is motivated to help individuals and communities thrive.

What you'll do...

• Relationship Building & Advocacy: Establish trusting, collaborative partnerships with patients, their support systems, and the multidisciplinary healthcare team to provide ongoing encouragement and advocacy.
• Case Management & Follow-up: Execute consistent follow-up‑via phone or in‑person visits‑from initial patient identification through case closure to ensure continuity of care.
• Assessment & Goal Setting: Utilize social needs screening results to conduct motivational interviewing, facilitate collaborative goal setting, and assist patients in reaching their personal wellness milestones.
• Resource Coordination & Referrals: Identify patient needs and provide essential support by connecting individuals with community agencies and navigating external resources.
• Administrative & Clinical Support: Assist patients with complex paperwork, such as applications and registration forms, while maintaining accurate and timely documentation within the Electronic Medical Record (EMR).
• Professional Development & Collaboration: Actively participate in staff meetings, training sessions, and interdisciplinary team discussions to ensure high- quality communication and service delivery.

Job Requirements

Required: High School Diploma

Preferred: Associates Degree