Community Health Worker - El Centro OB/GYN

Cleveland Clinic; Lorain (OH); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Apprenticeship rate

Job summary

The Cleveland Clinic invites applicants for the Community Health Worker Apprentice position at Lorain Family Health Surgery Center. You will train under a CHW preceptor, gaining hands-on experience across patient care, outreach, and connecting people with services in Northeast Ohio.

Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with hybrid Zoom and Tri-C on-site labs, and local travel about 20%. Residents of Northeast Ohio are preferred, and you will attend Tri-C while studying in the evenings.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Knowledge or background in personal identity, culture, or community needs to support diverse patients.
• Time management, de‑escalation, problem solving, and adaptability to change.

Responsibilities

• Learn core functions such as patient care, community outreach, and connecting patients with essential resources.
• Work with patients and community organizations to foster trust and open communication.
• Develop relationships to improve healthcare access and outcomes.
• Understand community dynamics and partnerships to create a supportive system.

Skills

De‑escalation

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Trust building

Interviewing techniques

Problem solving

Cultural competency

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

At Cleveland Clinic Health System, we believe in a better future for healthcare. And each of us is responsible for honoring our commitment to excellence, pushing the boundaries and transforming the patient experience, every day.

We all have the power to help, heal and change lives — beginning with our own. That’s the power of the Cleveland Clinic Health System team, and The Power of Every One.

Job Title

Community Health Worker - El Centro OB/GYN

Location

Lorain

Facility

Lorain Family Health Surgery Center

Department

Center for Community Health-Executive Administration

Job Code

D99611

Shift

Days

Schedule

8:30am-5:00pm

Job Details

Join the Cleveland Clinic team, where you will work alongside passionate caregivers and provide patient-first healthcare. Cleveland Clinic is recognized as one of the top hospitals in the nation. At Cleveland Clinic, you will receive endless support and appreciation and build a rewarding career with one of the most respected healthcare organizations in the world.

The Community Health Worker Apprentice is a key role focused on developing the essential skills needed to serve as a liaison between patients, the healthcare system and community-based organizations. Working under the mentorship and guidance of an experienced CHW preceptor, the apprentice will gain hands‑on experience and training across a variety of functions aimed at improving health outcomes for diverse and underserved populations. In this role, you will help build strong community partnerships, promote health equity and support access to vital health and community services.

A caregiver in this role works from 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., between January 11 - February 8, 2027, including approximately 20% local travel within Northeast Ohio.

To be considered for this position, candidates must reside in Northeast Ohio.

You will attend Tri-C and work concurrently. Classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The format is hybrid (Zoom + Metro Campus onsite labs).

• Location: Virtual via Zoom and Tri-C Metro Campus for onsite labs
• Apprenticeship location: Langston Hughes

Beginning February 9, the hours are:

• Monday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Friday: Off

Onsite labs:

• May 20: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
• June 8: 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Placement Locations:

• Lorain
• Fairview
• Cleveland Clinic El Centro Outpatient Center - OB/GYN

A caregiver who excels in this role will:

• Learn and demonstrate core functions such as patient care, community outreach, and connecting patients with essential resources.
• Work closely with patients and community organizations, creating an environment of trust and open communication.
• Develop relationships that improve healthcare access and outcomes.
• Gain an understanding of the cultural dynamics of the communities served.
• Support and help ensure that community healthcare services are accessible, appropriate, and respectful of the community’s needs.
• Help patients navigate the healthcare system and ensure they receive the support they need.
• Gain experience providing informal counseling and advocacy.
• Participate in outreach efforts to educate the community on health matters and promote self‑sufficiency, improving the overall health knowledge of individuals and the community.
• Develop an understanding of the importance of partnerships between medical providers, community organizations, and CHWs to create a comprehensive support system for patients.
• Serve as an intermediary between these groups to enhance coordination and care delivery.

Minimum qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Knowledge and expertise gained through personal identity, culture or background to support the needs of patients and families.
• Effective time management practices (able to organize time, prioritize projects efficiently and effectively) de‑escalation skills; problem solving skills and managing change and conflict
• Ability to develop trust and effective work relationships with staff members, individuals, families and external and internal professionals
• Strong information gathering/interviewing techniques
• Excellent interpersonal skills with special emphasis on oral and written communication skills

Preferred qualifications for the ideal future caregiver include:

• Bilingual in Spanish
• Community service experience
• Past work experience in a medical office setting
• Informal community health worker experience
• Epic experience
• Healthcare experience

The apprenticeship flat rate is $18.50 per hour.

Physical Requirements:

• May need to move around intermittently during the day, including sitting, standing, stooping, bending and ambulating. May need to remain still for extended periods, including sitting and standing.
• Evening and weekend work may be required.
• May need to lift boxes or carry objects.
• Possess dexterity to operate a PC and other office equipment.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follow Standard Precautions using personal protective equipment as required.

The policy of Cleveland Clinic Health System and its system hospitals (Cleveland Clinic Health System) is to provide equal opportunity to all of our caregivers and applicants for employment in our drug free environment. All offers of employment are followed by testing for controlled substances.

Cleveland Clinic Health System administers an influenza prevention program. You will be required to comply with this program, which will include obtaining an influenza vaccination on an annual basis or obtaining an approved exemption.

Decisions concerning employment, transfers and promotions are made upon the basis of the best qualified candidate without regard to color, race, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, status as a disabled or Vietnam era veteran or any other characteristic protected by law. Information provided on this application may be shared with any Cleveland Clinic Health System facility.

If applying for a Florida position, please see the following website for more information on the background screening requirements required by the Agency of Health Care Administration: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/

Please review the Equal Employment Opportunity poster.

Cleveland Clinic is pleased to be an equal employment opportunity employer.