Community Health Worker - Internal Workforce

Ochsner Health; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Ochsner Health is seeking a Community Health Worker to support chronic disease care management, provide patient education, and connect individuals with social services. The role involves in-person and telephonic patient interactions, collaboration across health systems, and active community outreach.

The ideal candidate will support program goals, complete required CHW certification within 1 year, and work within a diverse community setting to promote health and well-being.

Qualifications

• Must have computer skills and dexterity for data entry and retrieval.
• Effective verbal and written communication; ability to present information clearly.
• Proficient with Windows-style applications and role-specific software.
• Ability to educate individuals and facilitate problem-solving.
• Strong interpersonal skills; work with diverse communities.
• Ability to work independently and maintain a database.

Responsibilities

• Assists with chronic care management by providing patient follow-up and education.
• Mentor/coach to junior Community Health Workers during training.
• Works with patients in person and by telecommunication to assess and address needs.
• Coordinates patient care across health systems and navigates community resources.
• Provides community health education and outreach; supports health fairs.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Skills

Computer skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Independent work

Database maintenance

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

Community Health Worker certification

Tools

Windows applications

Job description

Exceptional care starts with exceptional people.

For us, this is more than a job– it’s a calling. It’s waking up each day, looking for ways to make a difference with a compassionate, inclusive and talented team. Ochsner empowers you to discover your passion, reach your potential, and Pursue Your Purpose. Exceptional care starts with exceptional people and teams. Together we are leading the way.

This job conducts chronic disease care management including but not limited to depression & anxiety. Offers community outreach and health education to individuals & groups; links community members to health & social services, and engages in inter- and intra- agency collaborative efforts to improve individual & community health.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

This job description is a summary of the primary duties and responsibilities of the job and position. It is not intended to be a comprehensive or all-inclusive listing of duties and responsibilities. Contents are subject to change at the company’s discretion.

Education

Required - High School diploma or equivalent

Work Experience

Required - None

Preferred - 1 year of experience working or volunteering in community-based programs with direct client interaction

Certifications

Required - Community Health Worker training certificate must be obtained within 1 year of hire

Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Must have computer skills and dexterity required for data entry and retrieval of information.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and the ability to present information clearly and professionally.
• Must be proficient with Windows-style applications, various software packages specific to role and keyboard.
• Ability to communicate with individuals to educate and facilitate problem-solving.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with community members from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently.
• Organizational skills and ability to maintain a database.

Job Duties

• Assists with chronic care management by providing patient follow-up services and documenting patient outcomes, educating patients, and facilitating support groups.
• Acts as a mentor/coach to the less experienced Community Health Workers to assist in effectively training while going through the certification course.
• Works with patients both in person and telephonically to assess and address patient needs.
• Engages in intra- and inter-agency collaboration by coordinating patient care across health systems and navigating community resources and advocates for patients and community members.
• Provides community health education and outreach to inform individuals, families and local agencies about health and wellness service; assists with health fair events.
• Provides culturally aware social support and assistance with capacity building/motivational support.
• Acts as a health care coach including self-management support and goal setting.
• Tracks and maintains database of community outreach activities for grant tracking and reporting.
• Adapts behavior to the specific patient population, including but not limited to respect for privacy, method of introduction to the patient, adapting explanation of services or procedures to be performed, requesting permissions and communication style.
• Performs other related duties as required.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Other duties may be added, or this description amended at any time.

Remains knowledgeable on current federal, state and local laws, accreditation standards or regulatory agency requirements that apply to the assigned area of responsibility and ensures compliance with all such laws, regulations and standards.

This employer maintains and complies with its Compliance & Privacy Program and Standards of Conduct, including the immediate reporting of any known or suspected unethical or questionable behaviors or conduct; patient/employee safety, patient privacy, and/or other compliance-related concerns.

The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Physical and Environmental Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Light Work - Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly (Constantly: activity or condition exists 2/3 or more of the time) to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls; and/or (3) when it requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.

Normal routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluid or tissue and as part of their employment, incumbents are not called upon to perform or assist in emergency care or first aid.

The incumbent has no occupational risk for exposure to communicable diseases.

Because the incumbent works within a healthcare setting, there may be occupational risk for exposure to hazardous medications or hazardous waste within the environment through receipt, transport, storage, preparation, dispensing, administration, cleaning and/or disposal of contaminated waste. The risk level of exposure may increase depending on the essential job duties of the role.

Ochsner Health does not consider an individual an applicant until they have formally applied to the open position on this careers website.

Please refer to the job description to determine whether the position you are interested in is remote or on-site. Individuals who reside in and will work from the following areas are not eligible for remote work position: Colorado, California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Washington, and Washington D.C.

Ochsner Health endeavors to make our site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website, or if you need an accommodation to complete the application process, please contact our HR Employee Solution Center at 504-842-4748 (select option 1) or [e-mail]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any legally protected class, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.