Community Health Worker-School Based Health Center Program

Fair Haven Community Health Care 

FHCHC is a forward-thinking, dynamic, and exciting community health center that provides care for multiple generations at nearly 140,000 office visits in 19 locations. Overseen by a Board of Directors, the majority of whom are patients themselves, we are proud to offer a wide range of primary and specialty care services, as well as evidence-based patient programs to educate patients in healthy lifestyle choices. As we grow and are able to bring high-quality health care to more areas that need access, we continue to put our patients first in everything we do. The mission of FHCHC is “To improve the health and social well-being of the communities we serve through equitable, high quality, patient-centered care that is culturally responsive.”

For over 50 years, we have been a health care leader in our community focused on providing excellent, affordable primary care to all patients, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Fair Haven is proud to have a diverse and motivated team of professionals who are constantly seeking ways to enhance and improve the health and well-being of all patients. We believe that everyone should have access to high-quality medical and dental care, regardless of ability to pay.

This is a 12-month position

Job purpose

Fair Haven Community Health Care (FHCHC) has integrated school-based health centers (SBHCs) at schools in the New Haven, East Haven, and Branford Districts. These SBHCs provide medical, behavioral health, and/or dental services to the student community and represent important opportunities for FHCHC to bring services to where our patients are.  A Community Health Worker for the SBHC program is needed to facilitate enrollment into these vital programs, perform outreach to families, and close gaps in preventive care.

Duties and responsibilities

Reporting to the Director of SBHC Operations, the Community Health Worker:

• Manages lists of enrolled children at each SBHC
• Works with individual SBHCs on their enrollment and outreach strategies to achieve appropriate enrollment targets established by the Director of SBHC Operations
• Represents FHCHC at school-related activities with the goal of SBHC outreach and enrollment
• Facilitates entry-into-care for new enrollees as well as scheduling of visits for patients lost-to-follow-up
• When indicated, screens patients for social determinants of health using a validated instrument and makes pertinent community referrals to mitigate health-related social needs
• Inform, educate, and engage families and local community-based organizations about the SBHC program including attending events and leading presentations.
• Documents encounters with patients/families in the electronic health record
• Participates in school- and/or district-wide committees targeting chronic absenteeism
• Assist families in dealing with stressful situations and with making behavioral changes to improve absenteeism
• Work with departmental leadership to measure and continuously improve the quality of care provided to SBHC patients
• Regularly communicate/coordinate with SBHC team-members, social service providers, and care coordinators to provide services for shared patients
• Ensure patient privacy and confidentiality at all times.
• Perform other necessary duties required by FHCHC to provide high quality health care.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree required, Bachelor’s preferred. At least two years of relevant experience may be substituted for the degree requirement.
• Bilingual with oral and written fluency in English and Spanish is required.
• Experience in ambulatory or outpatient integrated care setting is highly desirable; familiarity with electronic health record system is essential, experience with Epic preferred.
• Must have excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Solid technical skills and experience using Microsoft office

Direct Reports

• None

OSHA Status

Category I—Increased Risk Position

Potential exposure to hazardous waste and blood borne pathogens, clinical settings

Physical requirements

Physical Demands: Requires walking, bending, sitting, standing, writing, reading, telephone use, data input into computer, pulling medical records, Mental Demands: Ability to cope with continual changing priorities under potentially stressful conditions, Manual Dexterity Required:  Ability to use a keyboard, telephone.

American with Disabilities Requirements:

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled, must be able to perform the essential job specific functions (listed within each job specific responsibility) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by the organization on a case by case basis.

Fair Haven Community Health Care is an Equal Opportunity Employer. FHCHC does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.