Community Health Worker

University of Southern California; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Family Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC seeks a Community Health Worker for the Street Medicine Program in Los Angeles. This full-time, on-site role supports patient navigation, social referrals, and coordinated care with the medical team. Some after-hours work and driving responsibilities are involved.

Candidates should have a high school diploma, 1 year of relevant experience, and a California driver’s license. TB testing and LA credentialing requirements apply.

Qualifications

• Education: High school or equivalent.
• Experience: 1 year; valid California driver’s license; knowledge of LA County cities and freeway systems; TB test and immunization records for LA County credentialing.

Responsibilities

• Drive the team to and from rounds in the team Pick-up Truck and maintain the vehicle.
• Support street visits with situational awareness and scene safety.
• Conduct community outreach and build trusting relationships with patients.
• Provide follow-up with patients including motivational interviewing and goal setting.
• Assist patients with appointments and referrals for services.
• Help patients connect with transportation resources and manage reminders.
• Record patient care information in the EMR within 24 hours of contact.
• Attend staff meetings and manage an assigned caseload.

Skills

Local maps

Clinical guidance

Homeless outreach

Independent work

Data analysis

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Discretion

Written communication

Community relationships

Education

High school or equivalent

Job description

The Department of Family Medicine of the Keck School of Medicine of USC provides care for every member of the family, across generations and over lifetimes. We aim to enhance the quality of life for underserved and vulnerable patients while educating future generations of highly skilled, compassionate primary care specialists. Our goal is to combine education, patient advocacy, and evidence-based research to advance family medicine and geriatrics. Our department is seeking a Community Health Worker to be part of our Keck School of Medicine of USC Street Medicine Program.

The Community Health Worker (CHW) will be responsible for helping patients navigate and access community services, and other resources, and adopt healthy behaviors. The CHW supports providers and other team members through an integrated approach to care management and community outreach. As a priority, activity will promote, maintain, and improve the health of patients. Provide social support and informal counseling, and advocate for individuals and community health needs. Some after-hours work may be involved. This is a full-time position, Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm on-site at the Los Angeles, CA office. Some after-hour and weekend work may be involved. It is not a hybrid or remote position.

Street Medicine Community Health Worker (CHW) duties

• The CHW is responsible for driving the team to and from rounds in the team Pick‑up Truck and maintaining the vehicle.
• During medical, nursing, and allied health street visits, the CHW is responsible for maintaining situational awareness and ensuring scene safety.
• Responsible for performing community outreach and establishing trusting relationships with patients while providing general support and encouragement.
• Providing ongoing follow‑up with patients including: basic motivational interviewing, and goal setting with patients/families. phone calls, home visits, and visits to other settings where patients can be found.
• Help patients attend appointments.
• Provide referrals for services to community agencies as appropriate.
• Help patients connect with transportation resources and give appointment reminders in special circumstances.
• Transporting patients is strictly prohibited.
• Assist patients with completing applications and registration forms.
• Conduct eligibility determination, enrollment, and follow‑up with uninsured patients.
• Work closely with the medical provider to help ensure that patients have comprehensive and coordinated care, including scheduling street medicine visits per the provider’s care plan.
• Follow‑up with patients should be continuous from initial identification through closure.
• Act as a patient advocate and liaison between the patient and community service agencies (i.e. Department of Human Services, Heath Care for Homeless, hospitals, support groups, etc.).
• Record patient care management information in the EMR (training provided) and other software no later than 24 hours after patient contact.
• Attend regular staff meetings, training, and other meetings as requested.
• Manage an assigned caseload of patients.
• Other duties as assigned.

General Responsibilities

• Work cooperatively with other clinical personnel assigned to the same patient.
• Become knowledgeable about community resources appropriate to the needs of patients/families.
• Be responsible for providing consistent communication to the rest of the Street Medicine team to evaluate the patient.
• Exhibit excellent working relations with patients, visitors, and staff, effectively communicating Street Medicine's mission.

Job Qualifications

• Education: High school or equivalent
• Experience: 1 year; Current and valid California driver’s license. Working knowledge of Los Angeles County cities and freeway systems. Current proof of TB test and updated immunization records for LA County credentialing.
• Preferred experience: 2 years of working with people experiencing unsheltered homelessness and/or lived experience with homelessness.

The hourly rate range for this position is $23.04 -$26.00.

When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety.

Minimum Education: High school or equivalent

Additional Education Requirements Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience: 1 year

Minimum Skills

• Working knowledge of local maps/freeway systems.
• experience providing medical/clinical guidance.
• Experience working with unsheltered and unhoused groups, and/or lived experience with homelessness.
• Advanced judgment, analytical, and decision‑making skills, able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Data gathering and analysis skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, negotiation and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience in customer service.
• Practiced use of discretion and decision‑making ability.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proven ability to build and maintain deep and meaningful relationships with community members and outside agencies.

Preferred Education

• Related undergraduate study And Specialized/technical training

Preferred Certifications

• Certifications in CPR, basic life support and/or mental health first aid.

Preferred Experience

• 2 years

Preferred Skills

• Demonstrated experience in community healthcare and/or street medicine.
• A current understanding and appreciation of the cultural vibrancy and historical significance of local communities in Los Angeles and Southern California.
• Extensive knowledge and/or understanding of numerous cultural issues (e.g., immigration, socioeconomic, LGBTQIA+).
• Fluent in one or more languages in addition to English (e.g., Spanish, Korean, American Sign Language).

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy.

USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at [phone], or by email at [e-mail]. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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USC is a leading private research university located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles – a global center for arts, technology and international business. As the largest private employer in the city – responsible for more than $5 billion annually in economic activity in the region – we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks, and you will be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students and alumni who make USC a great place to work.