Community Health Worker

Umass-Memorial-Health-; Milford (MA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

UMass Memorial Health is seeking a Community Health Worker to collaborate with the care team, advocate for high-risk patients, and help them navigate health and community resources. The CHW may handle a caseload independently or with RN/SW support and assist with state program applications.

The role emphasizes culturally sensitive education, care coordination, and linkage to medical and behavioral health services, with emphasis on documentation and timely follow-ups.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of experience with patients managing complex medical and behavioral health issues.
• Experience navigating behavioral health systems.
• Strong communication, organizational, and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Competence in virtual platforms and EMR systems.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with care team to manage caseloads and build capacity.
• Support patients in self-advocacy and community engagement.
• Map and share community resources like housing, food, and shelter.
• Connect families with services and track referrals.
• Assist with applications for MassHealth, DTA, DDS, DMH and other programs.
• Coordinate services for children with autism and behavioral health needs.
• Locate mental health providers and ensure referrals.
• Attend education and mental health meetings with families.
• Provide peer support and cultural mediation.
• Deliver culturally appropriate health education.
• Conduct follow-up calls, virtual visits, and home visits as needed.
• Help patients organize records and calendar follow-ups.
• Document encounters in the EMR per MRPG/MGB workflows.

Skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Time management

Independent & collaborative work

Virtual platforms proficiency

Education

Associate degree or equivalent experience

BSW or BEd preferred

Relevant community experience

Tools

EMR systems

Virtual visits platforms

Job description

Are you an internal caregiver, student, or contingent worker/agency worker at UMass Memorial Health? CLICK HERE to apply through your Workday account.Exemption Status:ExemptHiring Range:$38,064.00 - $68,515.20Please note that the final offer may vary within this range based on a candidate’s experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity considerations .Schedule Details:Monday through FridayScheduled Hours:8:00am - 5:00pmShift:1 - Day Shift, 8 Hours (United States of America)Hours:40Cost Center:99940 - 5831 Milford Population HealthThis position may have a signing bonus available a member of the Recruitment Team will confirm eligibility during the interview process.Everyone Is a CaregiverAt UMass Memorial Health, everyone is a caregiver – regardless of their title or responsibilities. Exceptional patient care, academic excellence and leading-edge research make UMass Memorial the premier health system of Central Massachusetts, and a place where we can help you build the career you deserve. We are more than 20,000 employees, working together as one health system in a relentless pursuit of healing for our patients, community and each other. And everyone, in their own unique way, plays an important part, every day.The Community Health Worker (CHW) collaborates with the care team to improve the system of care for high-risk patients. They advocate for patients, helping them navigate health, mental health, and community services to ensure they receive comprehensive support. The CHW may carry a caseload independently or in partnership with RN/SW Care Managers, assisting with access to state and community resources, coordinating services, and supporting families with behavioral health needs.I. Major Responsibilities:1. Collaborate with iCMP RN/SW to manage caseloads and build team capacity.2. Support patients in self-advocacy and community engagement.3. Map and share community resources such as housing, food, and shelter.4. Connect families with services and track referrals.5. Assist with applications for MassHealth, DTA, DDS, DMH, and other state programs.6. Coordinate services for children with Autism and behavioral health needs.7. Locate mental health providers and ensure appropriate referrals.8. Attend educational and mental health service meetings with families.9. Provide peer support and cultural mediation.10. Deliver culturally appropriate health education.11. Conduct follow-up calls, virtual visits, and home visits as needed.12. Help patients organize records and schedule follow-up appointments.13. Document encounters in the EMR per MRPG/MGB workflows.14. Meet documentation and performance timelines (e.g., PDA within 48 hours of discharge).15. Maintain and update the MRPG Resource Database.16. Attend supervision and team meetings regularly.17. Develop strong working relationships with care team members.II. Position Qualifications:License/Certification/Education:Required:1. Associate’s Degree, BSW, BEd, or relevant community experience.Preferred:1. Experience as a CHW, peer specialist, peer advocate, or LCSW.Experience/Skills:Required:1. 1–2 years of experience with patients managing complex medical and behavioral health issues.2. Experience navigating behavioral health systems.3. Strong communication, organizational, and time management skills.4. Ability to work independently and collaboratively.5. Competence in virtual platforms and EMR systems.Preferred:1. Experience with electronic medical records and virtual visits.Unless certification, licensure or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed in this description may be substituted for the above requirements.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.We’re striving to make respect a part of everything we do at UMass Memorial Health – for our patients, our community and each other. Our six Standards of Respect are: Acknowledge, Listen, Communicate, Be Responsive, Be a Team Player and Be Kind. If you share these Standards of Respect, we hope you will join our team and help us make respect our standard for everyone, every day.As an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, UMass Memorial Health recognizes the power of a diverse community and encourages applications from individuals with varied experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, gender identity and expression, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.If you are unable to submit an application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at [e-mail]. We will make every effort to respond to your request for disability assistance as soon as possible.