Community Health Advocate II

MedStar Health; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 33,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

MedStar Health’s Washington Hospital Center is seeking a Community Health Advocate II to join our team. The role focuses on outreach, education, and coordination of care to connect patients with essential health and social resources.

You will work in clinical and community settings, including patient homes, to enhance health outcomes and cultural competence. The ideal candidate is a Certified Community Health Worker with residency in the target population and strong knowledge of local resources,

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Experience as a community health advocate.
• Certified Community Health Worker in Maryland.
• Residency within the target population preferred.
• Participation with a community organization, verified by personal or professional reference with personal knowledge of this fact preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advocates for individual and community health equity. Assists patients in accessing health-related services and supports home, community, or clinic settings.
• Collects, tracks and reports information about the community and benefits; documents encounters and maintains electronic files.
• Educates clients on proper use of health system services and helps manage chronic conditions and care plans.
• Interfaces with health and social services to reduce barriers and improve care coordination within the care team.

Skills

Experience as CHW advocate

Residency preference

Community organization involvement

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Certified Community Health Worker in MD

Job description

About the Job

MedStar Health is looking for a Community Health Advocate II to join our team! The ideal candidate will be a Certified Community Health Worker with personal knowledge of the target population, as shown by residency in that neighborhood, knowledge of local resources and system navigation, as well as advocacy and community capacity building skills, outreach methods and strategies.

The Community Health Advocate II will work closely with community health, case management care teams, and social services agencies to provide short term care coordination and connection to resources and programs for patients to improve their health and general well-being through education and provision of coordination of care and services. Works in both clinical and community-based settings, including patient's homes. Serves as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. Builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support, navigation support and advocacy. Community outreach, such as home visits, assessments, care coordination and health screenings required.

Join one of the largest healthcare systems in the Baltimore-Washington metro region, also recognized as one of the "Healthiest Maryland Businesses".

Primary Duties:

• Advocates for individual and community health equity. Assists patients in accessing health-related services, including obtaining a medical home, providing instruction on appropriate use, overcoming barriers to obtaining needed medical care and/or social services. Assists patients in their homes, community, or clinic setting. Communicates to patients the purposes of the program and the impact it may have on their wellbeing. Helps patients identify socio-economic issues that affect their overall health and develop health/social management plans and goals.

• Collects, tracks and reports information about the community and community benefits. Documents all patient encounters; completes and submits monthly reports; maintains comprehensive electronic client files, which include client notes, release of information, assessments and other medical documents acquired on behalf of the patient. Documents activities, service plans, and outcomes achieved by patient in an effective manner.

• Educates client on the proper use of the Emergency Room/Health system services and provides information for alternatives. Coaches' patients in effective management of their chronic health conditions and self-care. Assists patients in understanding care plans and instructions. Motivates patients/clients to be active and engaged participants in their health and overall well-being.

• Enhances community residents’ ability to effectively communicate with health care providers. Identifies and addresses issues that create barriers to care for specific individuals. Integrates with patient care team to support progress in care plan and overall patient wellness. Proactively identifies and refers individuals to federal, state, private or nonprofit health and human services programs.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED.

• Experience as a community health advocate.

• Certified Community Health Worker in the State of Maryland.

• Residency within the target population preferred.

• Participation with a community organization, verified by personal or professional reference with personal knowledge of this fact preferred.

This position has a hiring range of

USD $23.65 - USD $42.03 /Hr.