Community Health Worker

Virginia AG; Virginia; On-site; USD 45,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Health seeks a Community Health Worker to engage with pregnant individuals in Richmond County, Warsaw, VA. The role focuses on culturally competent education, outreach, and connecting clients to needed healthcare services to improve maternal outcomes during pregnancy and postpartum.

Responsibilities include education, outreach, and advocacy within the healthcare system, using plain language and strong community partnerships to address social determinants of health.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of social determinants of health and their impact on community health.
• Understanding mental and behavioral health and its link to physical health.
• Fundamental public health principles including disease prevention and health promotion.
• Experience with underserved communities and coordinating services.
• Cultural competency and ability to engage diverse populations.
• Clear written and verbal communication in plain language.

Responsibilities

• Engage high‑risk pregnant persons to promote positive maternal outcomes.
• Provide culturally competent education, outreach, and support.
• Connect clients to essential healthcare services and advocate for their needs.

Skills

Social Determinants of Health

Mental/Behavioral Health

Public Health Principles

Community Experience

Cultural Competency

Effective Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Technology Proficiency

Job description

Title: Community Health Worker

State Role Title:Direct Service Associate III

Hiring Range: $45,023-$47,610

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Virginia Department of Health

Location:THREE RIVERS-RICHMOND CTY

Agency Website:www.vdh.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is dedicated to protecting and promoting the health of Virginians. The VDH is made up of a statewide Central Office in Richmond and 33 local health districts. Three Rivers Health District serves the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula region which includes the counties of: Richmond, Westmoreland, Northumberland, Lancaster, Essex, Middlesex, Mathews, Gloucester, King & Queen and King William.
Position is located in Richmond County, Warsaw, Virginia.
This position's focus is community engagement with and service delivery to persons at high risk for poor maternal outcomes. The CHW position is responsible for providing opportunities to increase the likelihood of positive maternal outcomes through culturally competent education, outreach, and support to pregnant persons throughout their pregnancy and postpartum period, connecting them to necessary healthcare services, addressing social determinants of health, and advocating for their needs within the healthcare system.
The Virginia Department of Health offers 12 paid holidays, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, retirement plans (including 401a Cash Match and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan) as well as sick, family/personal, and annual leave.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of Social Determinants of Health: Knowledge of the various social, economic, and environmental factors that influence individual and
  community health, including disparities in access to resources and services.
• Knowledge of Mental/Behavioral Health: Familiarity with the impact of
  mental and behavioral health on physical health outcomes, including an
  understanding of common mental health issues and how they intersect with
  physical health needs.
• Knowledge of Public Health Principles: Basic knowledge of public health
  practices, epidemiology, disease prevention, health promotion, and social
  service systems, including the roles of government agencies and community
  organizations in addressing health needs.
• Community Experience: Experience working with priority or underserved
  communities, with an understanding of relevant unique challenges and
  resources.
• Cultural Competency: Ability to communicate effectively with diverse
  populations, recognizing and respecting cultural norms, practices, and values
  within the community.
• Effective Communication Skills: Ability to communicate clearly and concisely
  in both written and verbal formats using plain language that is accessible to
  individuals from diverse backgrounds. This includes the ability to adapt
  communication styles to meet the needs of different communities served.
• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive
  working relationships with colleagues, community members, and
  stakeholders. Strong team collaboration skills and the ability to work
  effectively in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Technology Proficiency: Ability to operate a personal computer and use
  internet-based tools and applications for data entry, communication, presentations and
  research.

Additional Considerations

• Proficiency in a second language (especially relevant languages in the community served) is highly preferred to effectively communicate with a broader population.
• Previous experience in a public health or community-based agency
  environment, with familiarity in coordinating services and supporting public
  health initiatives.
• Community Health Worker (CHW) certification, or the ability to obtain one
  after hire.
• Previous experience in supporting or facilitating prenatal care initiatives to enhance maternal health services.

Knowledge of or involvement with doula support.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a state and federal criminal history background check and the Department of Social Service's Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check, U.S. HHSIG Exclusion List check, employment reference check and E-Verify. Other financial, credit, or driving background checks or completion of Statement of Economic Interests may be required for certain positions.
It is the policy of the Commonwealth and VDH that all aspects of human resource management be conducted without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
As a V3 (Virginia Values Veterans) organization, VDH honors the Commonwealth's veteran's hiring preference. VDH employees have a Code of Ethics, which can be found in the bottom banner of our website: www.vdh.virginia.gov
State agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by case-basis.

Contact Information

Name: Carolyn Gibson

Phone: Please e-mail inquiries

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.