Community Health Worker

• Description Community Health Workers (CHWs) will work directly with individuals in our Emergency Department with Behavioral and/or Mental Health Issues, including Substance Use Disorders.
• The CHW will also assist staff in support staff duties as able.
• Their purpose is to provide patient care that is focused on compassion and empathy, and that offers a supportive environment.
• A CHW is a certified medical professional that will screen, score, and provide a Brief Intervention/Motivational Interview, if needed, to assist the patient to maintain or improve his/her mental/behavioral health by providing social support as well as individual health coaching, patient education, and referrals.
• The CHW will work with a diverse range of people to ensure that they have access to the resources needed to meet their needs.
• Key Responsibilities Conduct initial screenings and risk assessments for patients presenting with behavioral health concerns, mental health issues, or substance use disorders in the Emergency Department.
• Administer standardized screening tools, score results, and provide Brief Interventions and Motivational Interviewing techniques as appropriate.
• Deliver compassionate, empathetic, and trauma-informed support to patients in a high-acuity emergency setting.
• Provide individual health coaching, patient education, and emotional support to promote mental and behavioral wellness.
• Connect patients to appropriate community resources, social services, treatment programs, housing assistance, transportation, and follow-up care.
• Assist Emergency Department clinical and support staff with non-clinical duties as needed to improve patient flow and experience.
• Document all patient interactions, interventions, and referrals accurately and timely in the electronic health record.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, social workers, case managers, and community partners to develop individualized care plans.
• Advocate for patients and help remove barriers to care, especially for underserved and diverse populations.
• Participate in ongoing training related to behavioral health, cultural competency, de-escalation, and motivational interviewing.

Requirements

Qualifications