Community Health Worker

JOB SUMMARY

This Community Health Worker (CHW) will serve to connect the community with the health center. This culturally and geographically connected individual will serve as a link between communities, existing community resources and Gerald L. Ignace Indian Health Center's (GLIIHC) health promotion team and clinical providers. Through education and outreach the CHW will assist clients/patients in overcoming barriers to managing their chronic health conditions and will refer them to self-management programs when appropriate in partnership with the clinical team.

This CHW position will be a clinic-based community position. Responsibilities may change with Grant Strategies.

• Along with GLIIHC staff, develop culturally relevant materials to support pre-diabetes screening, testing and or referral activities for health care providers and/or community partners.
• Along with GLIIHC staff, develop culturally relevant materials and approaches to encourage participation and retention in chronic disease self-management programs.
• Along with GLIIHC staff, develop culturally relevant materials to link available clinic resources to support prevention, detection, and control of high blood pressure.
• Work with Community Outreach Coordinator and provide health screenings (blood glucose/blood pressure) and/or general clinic and programming outreach at community events and other appropriate venues.
• Enter client/patient information from interactions into database thoroughly, accurately and completes appropriate checklists.
• Some outreach events may occur on weekends or extend past the normal clinic hours; flex time will accommodate these hours.
• Identify community members who are at risk for developing diabetes and refer them to self-management programs or the Diabetes Prevention Program.
• Refer clients who are at risk for developing diabetes and other chronic conditions to additional clinical or other supportive services within the clinic.
• Accesses and records client's clinical and community resource information into the EPIC software system.
• Work interdepartmentally to address barriers to support health for the client/patient.
• Reviews care plan developed by clinical professionals and provides support as needed.
• Acts as a liaison between GLIIHC and other agencies to accomplish programming activities.
• Assist client/patients and family through individual or group conferences to understand, accept, and follow medical recommendations.
• Follows GLIIHC's protocols when client's/patient's need exceeds the CHW's scope of work.
• Enroll patients in the Self-Management Blood Pressure program. Provide program support and education. Collect blood pressure readings and enter into the patient's record.
• Support and work with clients with smoking cessation efforts; provide education, support and supplies to patients who wish to cease using commercial tobacco.
• Provide education to the community on health and self-management for managing their chronic disease, i.e. diabetes mellitus, hypertension cardiovascular disease, colorectal cancer in an individual or group setting.
• Help to coordinate and facilitate the Diabetes Prevention Program and the What Can I Eat Program.
• Refers clients directly to GLIIHC resources, community resources, and other agencies to meet the client's/patient's identified needs.
• Refer clients/patients to GLIIHC culturally specific programs and other tribal resources within the community.
• Participation in seasonal weekly (or more often) Native Wellness Garden events, garden care and maintenance related to Strategy 1 of the Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country (GHWIC) grant.
• Help to plan and coordinate the weekly Work Out Low Fat Elders (WOLFE) program including food preparation and service, health screenings, and assistance with participant needs/activities.
• Attends regular Health Promotions team & GHWIC Strategy related meetings, attends weekly/daily clinical team huddles, and attend GLIIHC's monthly all-staff meetings.
• Report directly to the Public Health Advisor.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
• Possess or complete Community Health Worker / Health Coach and/or other applicable training within 6 months of employment.
• Trained or completion of training in Epic Software within 6 months of employment.
• Have reliable and insured transportation.
• Must have a valid Wisconsin Driver's License.

• Associate's degree or higher education in an associated health care field preferred
• Completed training as a Community Health Worker preferred
• Experience with in health care or public health settings preferred

• CPR/AED and First Aid Trained and Certified, Tobacco Treatment Specialist (possess or complete within 6 months of hire)
• Possess or complete Serv Safe Food Handler training within 6 months of employment.

The physical requirements described…