Community Health Worker

Memorial Hermann Health System; Tigard (OR); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Memorial Hermann Health System seeks a Community Health Worker to conduct screenings and navigate NMDOH resources, addressing barriers like housing and food insecurity. The role is on-site at a Memorial Hermann campus, with remote engagement using digital tools and occasional travel to sites or events.

Entry-level position reporting to a Manager within the Community Health Network; bilingual Spanish is preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Licenses/Certifications: CHW or related (preferred).
• Experience in healthcare, social services, customer service or outreach is a plus.
• Bilingual Spanish preferred.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Comfortable using digital platforms and technology.

Responsibilities

• Conducts screenings to identify NMDOH and documents risk levels in EMR (e.g., housing, food, utilities).
• Uses motivational interviewing to explore needs and connect to internal or community resources.
• Verifies referrals with partner agencies to ensure appropriate services.
• Manages scheduling and follow-up for clinical and social services appointments.
• Performs outreach via phone or digital channels to verify referrals and outcomes.
• Participates in community-based activities to identify new resources.
• Provides support at other Memorial Hermann locations as needed.
• Ensures safe care and adherence to Memorial Hermann policies within budget and quality standards.
• Supports ongoing professional development and acts as a mentor where needed.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish

Communication skills

Microsoft Word

Remote engagement tools

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Microsoft Word

Job description

At Memorial Hermann, we pursue a common goal of delivering high quality, efficient care while creating exceptional experiences for every member of our community. When we say every member of our community, that includes our employees. We know that when our employees feel cared for, heard and valued, they are inspired to create moments that exceed expectations, while prioritizing safety, compassion, personalization and efficiency. If you want to advance your career and contribute to our vision of creating healthier communities, now and for generations to come, we want you to be a part of our team.

Job Summary

The Community Health Worker (CHW) is responsible for conducting screenings and navigating individuals to both community resources and medical homes, when appropriate, to address non-medical drivers of health (NMDOH). This entry level role supports patients and community members by identifying barriers such as food insecurity, housing instability and lack of access to care, and facilitates timely connections to services. While engagement with clients is primarily done remotely, the role is based on-site at a designated Memorial Hermann campus and leverages digital tools and contact center-enabled technology to expand their reach and enhance coordination. Occasional travel to clinical or community settings may be required. The CHW builds trust, documents social needs, and coordinates with care teams to ensure individuals receive comprehensive support. This position typically reports to a Manager within the Community Health Network and/or the Memorial Hermann Contact Center.

Job Description

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High school diploma or GED required.

Licenses/Certifications: One of the following is preferred:

• Community Health Worker (CHW) by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS)

• Community Health Worker - Instructor (CHW-I) by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS)

• Community Health Worker -Experience (CHW-E) by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS)

• Community Health Worker - Training (CHW-T) by the Texas Department of State Health Services (TDSHS)

Experience / Knowledge / Skills:

• Previous CHW experience is not required. Experience in healthcare, social services, customer service, or community outreach settings is a plus.

• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.

• Basic knowledge of non-medial drivers of health (NMDOH) and an understanding of community resources or willingness to learn.

• Effective oral and written communication skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport across diverse populations.

• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple referrals and follow-ups.

• Comfortable using digital platforms and technology to support remote engagement and documentation or willingness to learn.

• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team while maintaining empathy, discretion, and professionalism.

• Experience using Microsoft Word.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Conducts screenings to identify NMDOH and accurately documents patients' risk levels for each domain (e.g. housing, food, utilities) within the designated electronic medical record system (e.g. EPIC).

• Uses basic motivational interviewing techniques to explore patients' needs and barriers, supporting the referral process by connecting individuals to appropriate internal or community-based resources through approved digital tools and on-site systems.

• Verifies the accuracy and appropriateness of referrals by confirming key program details with partner agencies to ensure clients are connected to services that align with their needs and eligibility, supporting high-quality and effective navigation.

• Manages scheduling and follow up activities by arranging clinical and social service appointments, conducting outreach via phone or digital channels to verify referral completion and impact, and documenting results to ensure service connection and inform care team decisions.

• Conducts follow-up outreach on referrals or appointments made by other Community Health Network teams to confirm service completion and patient satisfaction, and provide additional support or navigation as needed to ensure unresolved needs are addressed.

• Participates in occasional community-based activities to identify new resources that enhance patient navigation and represent Memorial Hermann at special events or programs in support of broader community health initiatives.

• Provides support, as needed, at other locations outside of their designated Memorial Hermann site, that align with the Community Health Network including but not limited to Community Resource Centers and Food as Health sites to meet patient and program needs.

• Ensures safe care to patients, staff and visitors; adheres to all Memorial Hermann policies, procedures, and standards within budgetary specifications including time management, supply management, productivity and quality of service.

• Promotes individual professional growth and development by meeting requirements for mandatory/continuing education and skills competency; supports department-based goals which contribute to the success of the organization; serves as preceptor, mentor and resource to less experienced staff.

• Demonstrates commitment to caring for every member of our community by creating compassionate and personalized experiences. Models Memorial Hermann's service standards of providing safe, caring, personalized and efficient experiences to patients and our workforce.

• Other duties as assigned.