Position Title: Community Health Worker - Outreach
REACH provides low-threshold, harm reduction oriented primary care in a multi-disciplinary, integrated practice to further the REACH Mission of ensuring health equity to all experiencing stigma in the current healthcare system.
Position Goal:
The REACH mission extends to surrounding communities by way of outreach activities. The Community Health Worker (CHW) of the Outreach team provides engagement and support services to individuals needing engagement with REACH and/or community services.
Reports to: Community Outreach and Case Management Supervisor
The CHW serves as the regular contact for individuals needing or benefiting from outreach and engagement services. Related activities include but are not limited to providing linkages to health services and/or other social support services; access to culturally appropriate in-community health education, assessment, case management; timely follow-up to request for assistance, and/or advocacy related to connecting individuals with appropriate services to their healthcare needs. The CHW is responsible for establishing positive and supportive interpersonal relationships and functions as a member of a multidisciplinary team(s) including community service providers and/or REACH providers serving community individuals.
Responsibilities:
- Promote the mission, vision, and values of REACH.
- Provide culturally appropriate support services for community-based individuals.
- Work with other members of both community-based organizations and members of the REACH outreach team to assess and address the needs of individuals including their social determinants of health.
- Facilitate patient awareness and access to information including formal and informal support systems, web, and/or print materials.
- Assist with Tompkins County non-violent outreach and crisis support initiatives.
- Work with individuals to utilize public transportation independently and accompany participants to medical appointments as needed.
- Provide in-house transportation services when appropriate.
- Provide non-clinical crisis support after hospitalization, incarceration, and other occurrences that might cause distress
- Educate, engage and refer individuals with substance use disorder and or co-occurring mental health diagnoses about the various modes of recovery, formal recovery supports, and options for treatment.
- Provide mental health screenings as needed under the supervision of licensed behavioral health providers (training provided as necessary).
- Assist with Social Services applications, processes, and renewals; assuring access to services.
- Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings including but not limited to daily patient care pre-visit huddles with REACH and/or regular or collaborative meetings with other community service providers.
- Maintain appropriate, and focused progress notes in a timely manner.
- Provide case management and/or intensive case management services within residential settings.
- Work in collaboration with the entire outreach department to appropriately staff all current outreach grants and initiatives.
- Operate as a professional collaborator within our community and workspace.
- Provide outreach services in collaboration with supervisor and/or REACH Outreach Nurse for the purpose of extending REACH mission and services to individuals and/or community groups or otherwise interested in and eligible for any or all REACH services.
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor
