Community Health Worker – Street Medicine Program

## Community Health Worker – Street Medicine Program Apply locations:
College of Medicine time type:
Full time posted on:
Posted Todayjob requisition :
REQ_#
** APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:*** ## CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.* ## CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
* ## If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.###
** Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
** This position is funded for 12 months; continuation past 12 months will be based on university need, performance, and/or availability of funding.###   
** POSITION SPECIFICS
**** Community Health Worker – Street Medicine Program
**** Position Title
** Community Health Worker (CHW) – Street Medicine Program, Department of Medicine
** Position Summary
** Penn State Health is seeking a compassionate and resourceful Community Health Worker (CHW) to support the development and implementation of a new Street Medicine Program serving individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness and other vulnerable populations.

The CHW will serve as a trusted bridge between the healthcare system and the community by conducting outreach, building relationships with individuals living outdoors or in unstable housing, helping patients navigate medical and social services, and supporting interdisciplinary street medicine teams in delivering care directly where people live.

Candidates with lived experience of homelessness, housing instability, substance use recovery, justice involvement, or navigating complex social systems are strongly encouraged to apply.
** Key Responsibilities
*** Conduct street outreach alongside clinical and interdisciplinary street medicine teams
* Build trusting relationships with individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability
* Assist patients in accessing healthcare, behavioral health services, housing resources, insurance, identification documents, transportation, food assistance, and other social supports
* Help coordinate follow-up appointments and continuity of care after emergency department visits or hospitalizations
* Serve as a patient advocate and provide trauma-informed support
* Participate in case discussions and care coordination meetings
* Document outreach encounters and patient interactions in accordance with program policies
* Assist with community partnership development with shelters, faith organizations, social service agencies, and local government organizations
* Provide culturally responsive and nonjudgmental engagement with patients from diverse backgrounds
* Support distribution of basic supplies including hygiene kits, weather-related gear, food, and harm reduction materials as appropriate
* Assist in identifying barriers to care and opportunities for program improvement
* Participate in program development activities as the street medicine initiative expands
* Facilitate collection of identification documents and applications for health insurance
** Qualifications
* *** Required Qualifications
*** Strong interpersonal communication and relationship-building skills
* Ability to work independently in community settings and as part of an interdisciplinary team
* Commitment to working with vulnerable and marginalized populations using a trauma-informed and harm-reduction approach
* Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation, or ability to travel to outreach locations
** Preferred Qualifications
*** Prior experience as a Community Health Worker, peer support specialist, outreach worker, case manager, EMT, medical assistant, or social service worker
* Experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness, serious mental illness,…