Community Health Worker - Chester

Position: Community Health Worker - Chester County
UPMC Community Care Behavioral Health is seeking a full-time Community Health Worker to join our team in Chester County!

This hybrid role involves spending the majority of your time engaging directly with individuals and partners throughout the local community, with additional flexibility to work remotely le occasional on-site presence may be required at our Exton, PA office, this will be minimal.

The ideal candidate will bring prior experience in social services or community-based work, along with a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

The Community Health Care Worker (CHW) will work directly with individuals receiving services, family members, providers and other stakeholders, at the direction of a supervisor. This position requires the candidate have close understanding of the community they serve. This trusting relationship enables CHWs to serve as a liaison link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.

We recognize CHWs build individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, social supports and advocacy. To fill this position we will recruit a seasoned person who has expertise in issues such as housing, transportation, peer support, informal counseling, career training, and social supports. The CHWs will provide care coordination services to address health needs of individuals enrolled in the program.

This position will include telephonic and face to face contact with individuals receiving services, family members and other stakeholders to engage in problem solving and referral strategies; community based services; resources for housing and resources available to members to promote recovery. The CHW also represents the organization to the general public, individuals in, and seeking, recovery, family members, and to stakeholder groups.

Title and salary will be determined based upon education and community health worker experience for Sr. Community Health Worker within Community Care Behavioral Health.

Responsibilities:

+ Flexibility in schedule to meet members' need

+ Provides telephonic assistance to members and family members concerning recovery tools and resources

+ Engage the community to improve underlying social and economic conditions that impact health

+ Assist in scheduling appointments as needed

+ Identifying challenges a member faces in the Eight Stages of Wellness and Recovery

+ Connect the member to community-based treatment and recovery supports.

+ Travel throughout the region

+ Mobilize the community level to enhance provider understanding of community needs and preferences

+ Advocate for the members' community needs, medical and behavioral health needs

+ Empower the member to self-advocate and follow through with treatment (making and attending scheduled appointments, setting goals, and community networking)

+ Represents community Care's and UPMC Health Plan recovery and transformation at all levels

+ Utilize motivational interviewing to effectively identify the member's strengths, needs, motivation, triggers, and goals in managing life circumstances.

+ Collaborate with Community Care and UPMC Health Plan care management staff, as needed, for interventions

+ Promotes principles of recovery with members, providers, and stakeholders

+ Bridge the gap between the physical health care and behavioral health treatment

+ Work in the community setting at least 80% of the time, to have direct contact with members, support teams, treatment providers and recovery supports

+ Assist members with specific non-medical needs that affect health and access to care

+ Proof of high school graduation or GED

+ 1 year providing customer service, or clinical, or social service or case management experience in the community required

+ Preference will be given to those with prior social services experience.

+ Willingness to travel throughout the service area; must have a valid driver's license and reliable vehicle.

+ Knowledge of community resources such as housing, transportation, peer support, career training, and education.

+ Experience working with individuals who have medical and behavioral health needs.

+ Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build rapport.

+ Familiarity with mental health systems, substance use issues, recovery principles, and social service networks (preferred).

+ Ability to apply motivational interviewing and promote recovery values such as hope, empowerment, self-advocacy, and use of community supports.

+ Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.

+ Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office.

+ Organized, self-directed, and able to prioritize tasks effectively.

Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

+ Automotive Insurance

+ Driver's License

UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran