Community Health Worker

Juneau County, WI; Mauston (WI); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Community Health Worker role focuses on developing partnerships with Mile Bluff Medical Center, Juneau County Health Department, and other community agencies to improve access to services and enhance community health outcomes across the county.

You will lead outreach efforts, assist individuals in navigating health-related programs, help with applications, schedule services, and document activities while maintaining current knowledge of local resources.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of public assistance program policies and procedures.
• Ability to interview to elicit sensitive information and manage case records.
• Knowledge of county, state, and federal programs relevant to the department.

Responsibilities

• Act as liaison between healthcare providers and community partners to facilitate communication and education.
• Build and maintain relationships with clients, providers, and staff.
• Assist clients in accessing health-related services and completing program applications.
• Document activities and results in accordance with policies.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of community resources and services.
• Participate in program evaluations and meetings to guide scope of work.

Skills

Time management

Interview techniques

Policy comprehension

Communication

Diversity awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Computer software knowledge

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY
This position develops community partnerships, leads outreach efforts, helps individuals navigate and access community services and other resources, and supports healthy behaviors. The Community Health Worker will work closely with Mile Bluff Medical Center, Juneau County, and other community agencies to improve access to services and improve community health outcomes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

1. Act as a liaison between Mile Bluff Medical Center, Juneau County Health Department, and community partners to facilitate communication, coordinate services, and provide community education.

2. Build and maintain positive working relationships with the clients, providers, case managers, agency representatives, supervisors, and office staff.

3. Effectively work with people (staff, clients, doctors, agencies, etc.) from diverse backgrounds to reduce cultural and socio-economic barriers between clients and institutions.

4. Convey the purposes and services of a program to the target population and the impact that program or service would have.

5. Assist clients and participants in accessing health-related services.

6. Help clients in utilizing resources, including answering phones, scheduling appointments, and assisting with completion of applications for programs for which they may be eligible. This may be done in the office, clinic, or the client’s home.

7. Document activities, service plans, and results in an effective manner while strictly adhering to the policies and procedures in place.

8. Maintain current knowledge of community resources and services available to meet the needs of the target population.

9. Continuously expand knowledge and understanding of community resources, services, and programs provided.

10. Participate in regularly scheduled meetings, including program evaluation efforts, to guide scope of work.

11. Exhibit excellent working relations with community partners, patients, visitors, and staff; effectively communicating the Juneau County Health Department’s mission, vision, and core values.

12. Other duties as assigned.

EXPECTATIONS

• Interprets and applies Federal, State, municipal, and Department rules, regulations, and policies.
• Attends work regularly and is punctual.
• Behaves professionally and presents an appropriate standard of grooming, hygiene, and dress that aligns with health and safety standards.
• Conducts self in such a way as to reflect positively on the County.
• Fosters positive working relationships and accepts new responsibilities.
• Learns and understands the safe practices for the job being performed and complies with the safe work practices and personal protective requirements for the job.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Lived experience and knowledge of Juneau County resources

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of public assistance program policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques to elicit and probe for personal, financial, medical, or other sensitive information, including case file/computer records management.
• Knowledge of administrative policies and procedures of the County.
• Knowledge of county, state, and federal programs pertaining to regulations and mandates under which the department functions.
• Ability to utilize various computer software programs that are department-specific.
• Ability to maintain accurate records of assigned activities.
• Skill in time management; prioritizing duties to accomplish a high volume of quality work product requiring minimal supervision.
• Skill in analyzing complex administrative information and issues, defining problems and evaluating alternatives, and recommending methods, procedures, and techniques for resolution of issues.
• Ability to define problems, exercise sound judgment, and address a variety of situations successfully.
• Knowledge and ability to follow the policies and practices contained in the County Personnel Handbook.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position, including completing after-hours assignments.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with Human Resources.

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Ability to recognize occupational hazards in work activities and take safety precautions.
• Work may involve driving in inclement weather conditions.
• Work is performed indoors and outdoors.
• Exposures could include seasonal temperature extremes, bodily fluids, infectious diseases, and hazardous waste; and other possible unknown hazardous materials.
• May require dealing with persons who are hostile or verbally aggressive, posing threatening conditions.