Health Coach II

University Clinical Health, Inc.; Ripley (TN); On-site; USD 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

University Clinical Health, Inc. is seeking a Health Coach to empower patients in underserved communities by providing motivational interviewing-based coaching, health education, and access to essential preventive services.

You will conduct screenings, coaching sessions, and referrals while navigating barriers to care and collaborating with clinicians. The role emphasizes building trust, promoting chronic disease self-management, and connecting patients to medical and behavioral health resources

Qualifications

• Training and certification in Motivational Interviewing and Health Coaching within the first 45 days of employment.
• Achieve level of client-centered Motivational Interviewing proficiency as evidenced by assessment.
• Complete National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) certifications within the first 6 months.
• Experience working with diverse populations; Excellent communication skills; Understanding of healthcare systems and referral processes.

Responsibilities

• Promote healthy behaviors and improve personal health decision making in high-need communities.
• Provide health screenings, individual and group coaching, and referrals for medical, mental health, and social needs.
• Maintain accurate HIPAA-compliant documentation in the EHR and coordinate with care teams.
• Build and maintain partnerships with healthcare and community organizations; participate in health outreach events.

Skills

Motivational Interviewing

Health Coaching Certification

DPP Certification

DSME Certification

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

EHR proficiency

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Associate's or Bachelor's in Health/Related field

Tools

Epic EHR

Telehealth platforms

Job description

An initiative of The University of Tennessee Health Sciences’ Tennessee Population Health Consortium and operated by University Clinical Health (UCH), Health Hubs are neighborhood health and wellness centers staffed with Health Coaches and clinicians. Our Health Hub network improves health outcomes in medically underserved communities through innovative, community-centered healthcare delivery. Health Hubs serve as trusted local resources that extend primary care into the community, provide access to essential preventive and wellness services, bridge gaps in care, and connect people to needed healthcare, mental health, and community resources regardless of the client’s ability to pay. UCH offers these services through a network of community partners and providers across the state. UCH is a not-for-profit, non-tax-supported group practice and is here to serve the community while providing medical excellence to our patients.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to join and contribute to a team working directly to empower patients in high-need communities to take charge of their health, improve their self-management, and make lasting healthy lifestyle changes using food as medicine. You will serve the needs of patients as a trusted advocate, coach, educator, and ambassador who directly impacts their health and well-being. The Health Coach serves as a partner in helping clients improve their health and well-being by providing encouragement, education, guidance, practical support, and motivation. Your work gets patients the care they need most, enabling them to lead healthier and more abundant lives.

Position Summary:

The Health Coach serves as a frontline community wellness leader and healthy lifestyle example. This highly visible, patient-facing role is responsible for promoting healthy behaviors, improving personal health decision making, navigating barriers to care, supporting chronic disease self-management, and improving health outcomes. Provides patients with convenient health screening, individual and group motivational interviewing-based coaching sessions for chronic condition and lifestyle management, and referrals for assistance with medical, mental health, and social needs. Manages patient management information and appointment processing tasks in the EHR. Active in building and maintaining healthcare community partnerships.

Key Results Areas (KRAs):

Client Coaching & Engagement: Build trusted relationships, conduct health screenings, provide personalized health coaching, lead wellness activities, and support individuals in achieving healthier lifestyles and wellness goals.

Chronic Disease Self-Management: Deliver education, coaching, and support programs focused on improving self-management of conditions such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and tobacco use.

Care Navigation & Resource Connection: Identify barriers to care and connect participants with healthcare providers, behavioral health services, and community resources.

Community Outreach & Partnership Development: Serve as a positive ambassador for TennesseeCares within the community by engaging community members, referral partners, and local organizations. Complete regular visits with referring physicians and community partners to ensure community awareness. Participate in health fairs and community events, often on weekends and evenings.

Documentation, Compliance & Team Collaboration: Maintain timely, accurate records and Epic EHR documentation in compliance with all HIPAA privacy requirements, consistent adherence to timely EHR patient management and patient encounter processing procedures, follow established protocols, support quality initiatives, and collaborate with the interdisciplinary care team.

Program Support: Promote teamwork, efficient workflows, client access, and achievement of Health Hub program goals.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• Candidate must complete training and certification in both the Motivational Interviewing and Health Coaching Certification Programs within the first 45 days of employment.
• Candidate must complete training then reach and maintain a level of client-centered in Motivational Interviewing proficiency as evidenced by the Motivational Interviewing Competency Assessment
• Candidate must complete National Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) and Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) certifications within the first 6 months of employment.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Experience working with diverse populations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic understanding of healthcare systems and referral processes.
• Proficiency with electronic health records and healthcare technology.
• Employment or other lived experience providing care for individuals with chronic health conditions.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate's or bachelor's degree in Health, Social Services, Human Services, or related field
• Experience as a Community Health Coach or related job specializing in chronic disease self-management or prevention related to obesity. Individuals with health backgrounds or health promotion, medical assistant, licensed practical nurse, or other similar training can be considered for this positions.
• Experience facilitating DSME and DPP programs.
• Nationally recognized health coaching certification such as National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach or Board Certified Clinical Health and Wellness Coach.
• Experience with telehealth and virtual coaching platforms.