Community Health Worker

Akron Children's Hospital; Cleveland (OH); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Akron Children's Hospital is seeking a Community Health Worker to serve as a trusted frontline public health professional. The CHW builds relationships with individuals and families to support health, access to services, and cultural responsiveness.

You will bridge gaps among clients, healthcare providers, social services, and community organizations to improve outcomes and reduce disparities. The role emphasizes collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, follow-up on progress, and helping with

Qualifications

• Requires high school diploma or GED.
• Current BLS certification within 90 days of hire.
• Ohio CHW certification within 2 years of hire.

Responsibilities

• Conducts home and community-based outreach.
• Engages individuals using culturally responsive approaches.
• Gathers information for person-centered service planning.
• Identifies barriers to care and escalates urgent concerns.
• Partners with individuals to establish goals and simple action plans.
• Delivers culturally responsive health education and emotional support.
• Documents activities and outcomes per standards.

Skills

Cultural competency

Communication

Collaboration

Emotional intelligence

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or GED

BLS certification

CHW certification

Tools

Outlook

Excel

Word

Job description

Summary

The Community Health Worker (CHW) serves as a trusted frontline public health professional who has a close understanding of the community served. The CHW builds strong, relationship-based connections with individuals and families to support health, wellness, and access to services. The CHW serves as a bridge between individuals, families, healthcare providers, social service agencies, and community-based organizations to improve health outcomes, reduce disparities, and promote culturally responsive, patient- and family-centered care.

Responsibilities

• Conducts home and community-based outreach to build trust with individuals and families.
• Engages individuals using culturally responsive, strengths-based approaches.
• Gathers information to support individualized, person-centered service planning.
• Identifies social drivers of health, barriers to care, and escalates urgent concerns appropriately.
• Partners with individuals and families to establish goals and simple action plans.
• Promotes self-advocacy and informed decision-making aligned with individual preferences and values.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate services and supports.
• Provides referral assistance and navigates healthcare, social services, and community resources.
• Assists with appointment scheduling, applications, and linkage to needed services.
• Delivers culturally responsive health education, coaching, and emotional support.
• Conducts follow-up to monitor progress, confirm service connection, and address emerging needs.
• Documents all activities and outcomes in compliance with organizational, regulatory, and confidentiality standards.
• Other duties as assigned

Other Information

Technical Expertise

• Ability to work effectively with individuals and families from diverse cultural, social, and economic backgrounds.
• Ability and willingness to provide emotional support, encouragement, and motivation.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn community resources and service systems.
• Ability to follow structured data collection and documentation processes.
• Strong collaboration skills and ability to function as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to work independently and solve practical problems in community-based settings.
• Demonstrated emotional intelligence and ability to manage stressful or sensitive situations professionally.
• Proficiency in MS Office [Outlook, Excel, Word] or similar software is required.

Education and Experience

• Education: High school diploma or GED required.
• Licensure: n/a
• Certification: Current certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) from the American Heart Association is required within 90 days of hire. Community Health Worker certification through the Ohio Board of Nursing required within 2 years of hire.
• Years of relevant experience: None required. Lived experience with relevant communities/populations is preferred.
• Years of experience supervising: none

Full Time

FTE: 1.000000

Status: Fixed Hybrid