Community Health Worker/Navigator (51884)

HealthLinc; Valparaiso (IN); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

HealthLinc in Valparaiso, IN is seeking a Community Health Worker to support the healthcare team by coaching patients and conducting motivational interviewing.

The role includes referrals to community resources, follow-up on appointments, and assisting families in improving self-management and adherence to care plans. Up to 50% travel may be required, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and clear communication.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; CHW training program completed or provided on hire.
• Chronic Care Professional (CCP) certificate preferred; HealthLinc will provide training upon hiring.
• Certified Medical Interpreter-Spanish is optional but a plus.

Responsibilities

• Establish trusting relationships with patients and families; provide encouragement.
• Follow up with patients, conduct motivational interviewing, and set goals.
• Serve as liaison between clinical staff and patients; follow up on appointments and referrals.
• Assist patients in connecting with transportation resources and community services.
• Provide information on resources for meals, housing, prescriptions, and social supports.
• Promote culturally competent care and communicate with the care team about patient status.

Skills

Organizational skills

Team player

Flexibility

Medical terminology

Communication skills

Driver's license

Transportation access

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

CHW training program

CCP certificate

Tools

Microsoft Office

EHR

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Corporate - Valparaiso, IN 46383, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: High School, Travel Percentage: Up to 50% , Job Shift: Day, Job Category: Health Care, As a Community Health Worker, you will support the healthcare team by providing patient coaching and conducting motivational interviewing to support patients, families, and caregivers in achieving self-management, self-efficiency, and behavior changes to improve patient health and care outcomes. You will also assist in referring our patients to various community resources.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Establishes trusting relationships with patients and their families while providing general support and encouragement.
• Provides ongoing follow up, basic motivational interviewing and goal setting with patients/families.
• Serves as a liaison between clinical staff and patient, by following up with patients regarding their appointments, referrals, and needed resources.
• Helps patients set personal goals and attend appointments.
• Provides referral for services to community agencies as appropriate.
• Helps patients connect with transportation resources and gives appointment reminders to aid in compliance with prescribed plan of care.
• Helps patients connect to needed resources to carry out plan of care (MOWs, HH, Prescription assistance, etc.)
• Works closely with integrated medical team to ensure that patients have comprehensive and coordinated care.
• Remains knowledgeable about community resources appropriate to needs of patient/family.
• Continuously validates and evaluates the effectiveness of the community resources.
• Provides consistent communication to Medical Provider/Care Team Nurse to evaluate patient/family status and reports progress and compliance with identified plan of care.
• Enables and improves culturally and linguistically competent services and care by making efforts to understand the community culture and resources.
• Conducts outreach, implements programs in community that promotes, maintains and improves community health needs and provides resources.
• Collects data to help identify community health needs.
• Advises community groups on chronic disease and diabetes self- management, hypertension, and nutrition.
• Advises clients on general health and exercise and self- care activities.
• Identifies age appropriate needs and resources.
• Follows up hospitalizations and no shows
• Provides situation appropriate social support to the patient utilizing experience lived and learned through training provided at HL
• Provides informal counseling as needed.
• All HealthLinc staff is committed to engage in quality improvement initiatives that align with and support Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH).
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Training

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Successful completion of a formal CHW training program and Chronic Care Professional (CCP) certificate (HealthLinc will provide training upon hiring)
• Certified Medical Interpreter-Spanish (not required but highly preferred)

Experience

• At least 1-2 years of experience as patient/community facing role within a nonprofit environment, food pantry, WIC, etc.

Skills/Job Requirement

• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Proven ability to work well in a team environment
• Ability to remain flexible and adaptable
• Knowledge of some medical terminology
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Transportation and valid drivers license
• Ability to follow HealthLinc policies and procedures

Technology Skills

• Operate a multi-line phone system and other office equipment including printers, fax machines, etc.
• Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office, EHR, online sources, etc.)

DIRECT SUPERVISION:

N/A

REQUIRED TRAININGS:

• All assigned Relias training