Community Health Worker -START Clinic - Boston Medical Center

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Stimulant Treatment And Recovery Team (START) team provides treatment for patients diagnosed with a stimulant use disorder utilizing OBAT's Nurse Care Management Model. The START clinic is seeking a Community Health Worker (CHW to join our team to help patients to better access and coordinate their health care. The goal of the CHW is to assist identified patients with the tasks of getting medical care, connecting to the recovery community, providing recovery resources, working on health goals (such as arranging care, filling medication prescriptions, planning healthy meals, or finding time to exercise), and to help them deal with the "real-life" and keep them engaged in care. The CHW collaborates with other team members to conduct needs assessments to identify and respond to barriers to health and wellness.

Position: Community Health Worker -START Clinic

Department: General Internal Medicine

Schedule: Full Time

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES / DUTIES:

• Initiates telephonic or face to face contact with eligible patients to describe role, explain program benefits and begin assessment process.
• Assists with connecting patients to mental health and recovery resources within their community.
• Works collaboratively with the START satellite clinic at BHCHP
• Escorts patients to different programs within the hospital and community to connect with recovery resources such as- Project ASSERT, PAATHS, Safe and Sound Recovery Center etc.
• Works with patient and provider to set goals for patient's care and motivates patients to achieve those goals.
• Teaches key educational messages in person and over the phone. Clearly documents all activities in the patient's record.
• Helps patients engage with the Phoenix recovery gym
• Works closely with START's Patient Navigator
• Records and monitors the participants' progress toward goals within specific timeframes. Documents assessments and key patient updates in Epic system; documents relevant day-to-day activities and patient data.
• Participates with other staff in activities to program participants, including community outreach, presentations to community organizations, development of materials, and phone calls.
• Assists patients with organizing their records, making follow-up appointments, and filling their prescriptions.
• Helps patients fill out applications as needed.
• Provides advocacy, patient education and support in accessing community-based and hospital-based programs.
• Refers to internal or external care management services when other issues are identified (i.e. food insecurity, domestic violence, etc.).
• Demonstrates sensitivity and respect for the culture of the patient.
• Participates in regular training activities.
• Attends regularly scheduled supervision and other program assigned meetings.
• Influences inappropriate utilization of health care resources by providing intensive home and community-based outreach, motivational interviewing and goal setting, resource connection and accompaniment to medical appointments as needed.
• Presents patients at case review meetings succinctly and logically. Consults with experts regarding complex patient situations, demonstrating an understanding of how to solicit and incorporate provider feedback in order to continuously develop the most optimal plan for care.
• Prepares reports and documents as needed or requested.
• Demonstrates the ability to function within an inter-disciplinary team (nurse care coordinators, social workers, behavioral health clinicians, physicians, resource specialists, clinical support staff, etc.), connecting the patient with resources as needed.
• Support the Operations Manager in the implementation and evaluation of quality initiatives.
• CHWs may visit patients in hospital and ER and facilitate with transitions of care.
• CHWs should be available by phone for patients, to help them navigate the health system.
• Performs other duties as assigned or as necessary.

Must adhere to all of BMC's RESPECT behavioral standards.

(The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required).

JOB REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION:

• High School Diploma or GED

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:

• Driver's license typically is required

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 2 years prior healthcare, public health, or community-based experience in community setting.
• Equivalent education above a High School Diploma may be substituted for experience

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Basic knowledge of healthcare system.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills of foremost importance to interact with families and patients.
• Interest in community health and outreach.
• Exceptional organizational skills; ability to multi-task and work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated oral and written English communication skills; Fluency in Haitian Creole or Spanish a plus.
• Understanding of language, culture and socioeconomic circumstances and desire to work with diverse, inner city population.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (i.e. MS Word, Excel, Access, Outlook) and web browsers. Proficiency with database management.

Req id: 31291