Community Health Worker – Lafayette County Health Department

Job Title: Community Health Worker
Hours: Primarily 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Pay Range: $20.00 – $22.00 per hour, based on experience; plus, longevity, if applicable
Department: Public Health
Reports to: Public Health Director
FLSA: Non-exempt
Date Updated: November 22, 2022
Position Purpose: The Community Health Worker will be responding to the COVID-19 pandemic/public health emergency and its impact.

Position Summary:
The Community Health Worker (CHW) will be responsible for developing community partnerships, leading outreach efforts, and helping individuals navigate and access immunizations, community services, resources and adopt healthy behaviors. CHW will primarily be working out in the community with specific target populations. The CHW will work with medical providers, healthcare teams, and other community agencies to improve access to services and improve immunization rates and community health outcomes. All activities will promote, maintain, and improve the health of the community. The CHW will advocate for individuals and community health needs and assist in providing services.

This position is grant funded and funding has been secured through December 31, 2024.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Promote immunizations
• Promote community action and garner support and resources from community organizations to implement new activities.
• Act as a liaison between the Lafayette County Health Department and community agencies to facilitate communication and coordinate services.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with clients, providers, community agencies and staff of Lafayette County Health Department.
• Effectively work with people (staff, clients, health care providers, agencies, etc.) from diverse backgrounds in reducing cultural and socio-economic barriers between clients and institutions.
• Convey the purposes and services of a program to the target population and the impact that program or service would have.
• Establish positive, supportive relationships with clients and seek feedback.
• Assist clients in accessing health related services.
• Follow-up with clients via phone calls, home visits and visits to other settings where clients can be found.
• Assist clients with completing applications and registration forms.
• Document activities, service plans, and results in an effective manner while strictly adhering to the policies and procedures in place.
• Be knowledgeable about community resources appropriate to the target population’s needs.
• Continuously expand knowledge and understanding of community resources, services and programs provided.
• Cultivate and enhance working relations with patients, visitors and staff, effectively communicating the Lafayette County Health Department’s mission, vision, and core values.
• Assist clients served with Public Health Emergency Preparedness Planning as needed
• Understand performance management and program performance measures, and identify opportunities for quality improvement.
• Learn and practice the Safety policies of the County. Perform all job tasks in a safe and prescribed manner.
• Attend meetings and training as assigned.
• Performs public health emergency response duties as assigned and consistent with training provided.
• Promotes and assists the agency in providing for communicable disease control, chronic disease and injury prevention, environmental health, maternal child health and the linkage of clients with health care services.
• Works to support the mission of the department and adheres to the core values as described in the most current agency strategic plan.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements:
• High school graduate or equivalent. Associate Degree in a health promotion related field preferred.
• Must have a vehicle for use during working hours and a valid driver’s license
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment screening
• Must be able to pass a CareGiver Background Check
• Must demonstrate regular and dependable attendance.
• May need to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Ability to work independently within guidelines under supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Must have good written and verbal communication skills- courteous and respectful of clients/patients/public, ability to speak to groups/give oral group presentations.
• Must have good teaching skills.
• Ability to cope with family emotional stress.
• Respect the diversity of the population served by the Lafayette County Health Department.
• Ability to respond to the secondary needs of patients and families in the home, school or clinic setting.
• Working knowledge of computers and the ability to learn any updates as required.

Work Environment:
This position works in clinics, offices, schools, and in clients’ homes; there are possible exposures to biological hazards, communicable diseases, Human Health Hazards and public health nuisances.

The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions (wet/humid/cold/extreme heat). The noise level in the work environment is usually moderated and the employee is expected to travel to schools, homes, clinics, etc. ast part of their duties.

Physical Requirements:
• Work may be performed from a sedentary position; considerable movement is required to retrieve files, charts or information while assisting residents, visitors or staff. Work is also performed in a variety of environments (home and clinic) and the nature of work is very active.
• Activities may include: walking, standing, sitting, kneeling, reaching, and lifting up to 50 pounds. Considerable movement is essential.
• Ability to hear normal conversation and communicate in a clear manner.
• Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing skilled movements such as nursing assessments or keyboard use. Ability to operate computer keyboard, typewriter, calculator, fax machine, telephone system and copier.

Management Statement:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Reasonable accommodation may be made to all individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

https://www.lafayettecountywi.org/hr/page/community-health-worker-health-department

Deadline Note: 11:59 p.m.