Community Health Worker

Camino Health Center; San Juan Capistrano (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A community health organization in San Juan Capistrano is seeking a dedicated Community Health Worker to connect patients with resources, support outreach and engagement efforts, and collaborate on care management. The ideal candidate has at least a high school diploma, experience in customer service within medical environments, and a valid CA Driver License. This role requires strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the flexibility to work evenings and weekends.

Qualifications

• Minimum one year of experience in outreach and customer service in medical/behavioral health.
• Community Health Worker certificate preferred.
• Valid CA Driver License and proof of insurance required.
• Preferred: CHW certificate; two years in a similar role preferred.
• Flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
• Reliable transportation for home visits and community-based work.

Responsibilities

• Assist patients in navigating healthcare systems.
• Conduct outreach and enrollment assessments.
• Engage in quality improvement initiatives.
• Share socioeconomic resources (food insecurity, shelter) and connect members.
• Schedule in-clinic appointments and arrange transportation as needed.
• Enhanced Care Coordination: help members access medical/behavioral care and overcome barriers.
• Document barriers and coordinate with ECM team and PCP.
• Use Motivational Interviewing to promote collaboration with medical team.
• Advocate for members and track updates in the ECM program.
• Collaborate with ECM team members and providers.
• Build relationships with providers, offices, and other communication channels.
• Respect community culture and representative voice; convey culturally appropriate messages.
• Support quality improvement and participate in weekly case reviews.
• Maintain compliant documentation and participate in staff meetings.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal relations

Motivational interviewing

Customer service

Community orientation

Education

High school diploma or GED

BLS certification

Tools

BLS certification

Job description

Under the direction of the Population Health Manager, the Community Health Worker serves as a bridge between Camino Health Center and the communities it serves. This position focuses on meeting patients where they are, in their homes, at community events, and in trusted community spaces to address health needs, close care gaps, and connect individuals with the social and health resources they need to thrive. The CHW also supports Camino Health Center’s Community Enrollers for Medi‑Cal grant program by conducting Medi‑Cal enrollment and renewal outreach and assistance. A secondary component of this role supports the Enhanced Care Management program in a collaborative capacity.

Ensure that the core values of Camino Health Center – Service, Dignity, Justice and Excellence are carried out within daily tasks.

Essential Values‑Based Competencies

Demonstrates values‑based competencies in line with the four core values that are the foundation of all activities performed by employees in order to achieve the mission of the Camino Health Center.

Dignity: Demonstrates competence in communication and interpersonal relations.

Excellence: Demonstrates competence in continuous improvement, continuous learning, and teamwork/collaboration.

Service: Demonstrates competence in customer/patient focus, adaptability, and shaping change.

Justice: Demonstrates competence in community orientation, stewardship, and strategic planning and action.

Essential Functions

Outreach and Engagement

• Identifies potential ECM candidates; assists members in navigating the healthcare system and following up by phone and in‑person with eligible ECM members.
• Communicates and delivers easy to read information about health and wellness to the community and provides information on ECM member benefits and services.
• Conducts outreach and enrollment assessments.
• Shares socioeconomic resources that may benefit the member and addresses important items such as food insecurity, sheltering needs, etc.
• Identifies specific times to connect with members in person, out in the field, at a location and space that is most comfortable to the member.
• Identifies opportunities to schedule in‑clinic appointments to address various health needs/screenings; arranges transportation as needed to and from the clinic.

Enhanced Care Coordination and Case Management

• Helps members participate in their medical and/or behavioral healthcare by overcoming barriers to care.
• Documents and shares member barriers with the ECM team and PCP geared to improve care and outcomes.
• Engages with members, both in‑person and on the phone, utilizing evidence‑based approaches, such as Motivational Interviewing, to promote collaboration between the members and their medical/behavioral team to increase the member's sense of control over their health.
• Acts as an advocate on behalf of the member, tracks and reports updates through the ECM program.
• Collaborates on member care issues with other ECM team members.
• Builds and maintains a positive working relationship with providers, including interactions within provider offices, phone, email, fax, and other approved communication methods.
• Assists the ECM team and providers to understand the culture, norms, beliefs, and preferences of the members and their community by representing the community's voice.
• Helps create messages and materials that fit community culture and delivers messages to fit the culture of its members.
• Promotes a collaborative and effective working environment within the ECM program by engaging in evidence‑based communication strategies, when discussing responsibilities, sharing of tasks, resolving conflicts, and member case reviews.
• Participates in weekly case reviews and consults with the member's PCP before taking any clinical action.
• Engages in quality improvement initiatives and projects, such as identifying and addressing gaps, and developing and testing new practices to improve the ECM program outcomes.
• Models the highest ethical behavior in relationships with co‑workers, supervisors, members, providers, and colleagues in the community.
• Ensures documentation is accurate, helpful, and compliant with regulatory requirements and accreditation standards.
• Helps facilitate interactions with the other ECM team members.
• Participates in all appropriate staff meetings or other activities as needed.

Minimum Position Qualifications

Education: High school diploma or GED required.

Experience / Training: One year minimum experience working in outreach and customer service within the medical office and behavioral health environments with individuals who struggle with chronic illness, substance use disorders and mental health issues is required.

License / Certification: Valid CA Driver License and proof of auto insurance; BLS certification is required.

Preferred Position Qualifications

• Experience / Training: Community Health Worker (CHW) certificate; two years of work experience in a similar role preferred.

Additional Requirements

• Able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Able to work at various health center locations and outreach sites.
• Must have reliable personal transportation for home visits and community‑based work.