Community Health Worker

Connecticut Institute for Communities, Inc. Summary

This position is responsible for providing supportive social services to GDCHC patients and their families, including referrals and follow-ups as required in accordance with GDCHC's standard of care. In addition, the role supports GDCHC providers by assisting with identified substance abuse treatment.

The position requires compliance with CIFC and GDCHC's written standards, including the Compliance Program and all organizational policies and procedures. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action up to termination, per CIFC Compliance Policy & Plan and the Employee Manual.

• Provides appropriate linkages, referrals, coordination, and follow-up for patients to services and supports, both internally and externally.
• Facilitates healthcare and social service system navigation.
• Conducts screenings for social determinants of health.
• Provides informal counseling, discusses issues and concerns related to basic needs and lack of community resources, and writes progress notes based on meetings.
• Informs, guides, and assists patients with basic needs and community resources.
• Determines eligibility and enrolls individuals into health insurance plans.
• Educates health system providers and stakeholders about community resources.
• Serves as point person for receiving and assigning referrals for services in collaboration with Department Chiefs.
• Collects clinical data and records prior to intake appointments, including records from other facilities, patient rating packages, and appropriate collateral.
• Communicates with other providers internally and externally regarding referral outcomes by creating provider letters, discharge letters, and summaries in cooperation with providers.
• Participates in clinical team meetings and communicates with providers involved in patients' care to facilitate coordination.
• Attends provider team meetings to promote collaboration of service and treatment providers.
• Attends and participates in individual and/or peer supervision as directed.
• Tracks treatment plan updates in collaboration with providers and Department Chiefs.
• Acts as a cultural broker to provide feedback on cultural issues that may affect patients' health, including ways to address health disparities and meet quality improvement goals.
• Participates in outreach events with the Outreach team to foster trust and understanding by working directly within the communities served.
• Adheres to all HIPAA regulations, including heightened protection of health records, and maintains confidentiality at all times.
• Fulfills all compliance and training responsibilities related to the position, including enforcement of CIFC and CIFC GDCHC policies and procedures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Current (annual) TB screening is required of all employees.

• Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent; a bachelor's degree is preferred.
• Must be from the community that is being served or have familiarity with the community.
• At least 1 year of related work experience; community health experience and/or community resource knowledge strongly preferred.
• Experience navigating local medical and social support systems is preferred.
• Experience communicating effectively verbally and in writing with people of differing cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Experience working with computer systems, including proficiency in MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.).
• Must have reliable personal transportation.
• Bilingual in Spanish or Portuguese is preferred.

• Knowledge of standard office policies and procedures.
• Skill in organizing time and managing multiple demands.
• Excellent communication skills with patients, visitors, and staff.
• Ability to supervise the work of others.
• Ability to work independently and use good judgment in work prioritization.
• Ability to complete difficult/complex tasks.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to interact positively with the public.
• Ability to assist patients with their personal information on intake forms.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to engage with other health care providers, insurance companies, and referrals as necessary.

The work environment requires sitting for long periods, talking, hearing, writing, operating a keyboard, visual acuity to read small print and view a computer monitor, reaching to the top of a five-drawer filing cabinet, and lifting boxes of not more than 30 lbs. Duties also require standing, stooping, and walking.

Some evening and weekend work will be required.