Community Health Worker
At Oak Street Health, the Community Health Worker (CHW) is the vital link between our patients, their community, and the healthcare system. You are more than a liaison; you are a trusted advocate who meets patients where they are - literally and figuratively - to dismantle the social and physical barriers to wellness. By promoting health literacy, increasing access to resources, and reaching out to patients both in-person and by phone for frequent touchpoints, the CHW helps pave the way for patients to live healthier lives. Working in close partnership with the Medical Social Worker (MSW) and interdisciplinary clinical teams, you will navigate the complexities of housing, food security, and transportation to ensure our patients can focus on their health.

This role requires high levels of adaptability, problem-solving skills, strong communication, deep empathy, and logistic planning. Successful candidates have an intimate knowledge of their local community, and a passion to improve the overall quality of patient lives.

Core Responsibilities:

• Connect patients and help with applications to eligible state benefits and local community resources related to housing, transportation, food, and activities of daily living among other social and physical barriers to health.
• Facilitate communication between all identified parties involved in patients' care as needed (e.g., family members, caregivers, medical providers, community-based organizations)
• Meet with patients in patient-centered and patient-preferred locations (e.g., Oak Street Health center, patient's home, external medical provider facility, community setting).
• Establish and maintain strong interpersonal relationships with patients, community organizations, team members, and resource partners to coordinate patient needs
• Manage patient referrals defined by the care team & collaborate with the Medical Social Worker (MSW) on action plans
• Encourage patients to meet health goals set by the care team and celebrate achievements to improve patients' self-efficacy and quality of life.
• Drive engagement with high risk individuals (e.g., completed specialty appointments, adherence to Post Discharge Visits) may include accompaniment to appointments
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to ensure communication and support care team decision-making.
• Document interactions with patients in electronic medical record (EPIC) in a timely manner, while maintaining HIPAA standards and confidentiality of protected health information.
• Manage time efficiently by setting priorities effectively. Must be able to work independently successfully while also collaborating with our care team.
• Other duties as assigned

What We're Looking For:
Required:

• Minimum of 1 year of experience in a case management type position, either in healthcare, community-based role, or social service environment.
• Must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Dedication to serving the community and building meaningful relationships.
• Proficient computer skills (i.e. Windows, GSuite, Microsoft, etc.)
• US work authorization

Strongly Preferred:

• Community Health Worker certification or Associates or Bachelors in a related field
• Experience working on multidisciplinary teams with organizations, agencies, patients, and community members
• Expertise of local community resources, including access and benefits for patient needs
• Fluency in another language is not required, but is a plus when it comes to connecting with our diverse patient communities.
• Experience utilizing electronic medical record systems
• A problem-solving orientation and a flexible, positive attitude

Anticipated Weekly Hours: 40
Time Type: Full time
Pay Range: The typical pay range for this role is: $18.50 - $38.82

Our people fuel our future. Our teams reflect the customers, patients, members and communities we serve and we are committed to fostering a workplace where every colleague feels valued and that they belong. Great benefits for great people.

We take pride in our comprehensive and competitive mix of pay and benefits investing in the physical, emotional and financial wellness of our colleagues and their families to help them be the healthiest they can be. In addition to our competitive wages, our great benefits include:

• Affordable medical plan options, a 401(k) plan (including matching company contributions), and an employee stock purchase plan.
• No-cost programs for all colleagues including wellness screenings, tobacco cessation and weight management programs, confidential counseling and financial coaching.
• Benefit solutions that address the different needs and preferences of our colleagues including paid time off, flexible work schedules, family leave, dependent care resources, colleague assistance programs, tuition assistance, retiree medical access and many other benefits depending on eligibility.