CHW (Community Health Worker) in Portland, Oregon at Oregon Health & Science University

CHW (Community Health Worker)

US-OR-Portland

Requisition ID: 2026-39442
Position Category: Hospital/Clinic Support
Job Type: AFSCME union represented
Position Type: Regular Full-Time
Posting Department: Family Medicine at South Waterfront
Posting Salary Range: $26.90-$36.35 per hour with offer based on experience, education, and internal equity
Posting FTE: 1.00
Posting Schedule: Variable (Clinic hours are Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 8:00pm and Saturday, 9:00am - 1:00pm)
Posting Hours: Variable (Clinic hours are Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 8:00pm and Saturday, 9:00am - 1:00pm)
HR Mission: Healthcare
Drug Testable: Yes

Department Overview

Family Medicine at South Waterfront is a high-volume primary care clinic located in the Center for Health & Healing 1 building. The clinic provides comprehensive, lifespan care to patients across all stages of life through in-person, virtual, and telephone visits. Services include general family medicine, transgender health care, maternity and prenatal care (including deliveries), pediatric care, behavioral health and counseling, sports medicine, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), podiatry and foot care, acupuncture, minor procedures, and preventive health services. Clinical care includes medication administration (oral and injectable), telephone and in-clinic triage, care coordination and management, patient education, complex wound care, pain management, and behavioral health support, including crisis intervention.

The Community Health Worker is a member of the primary care team who addresses social determinants of health in support of patients and their families achieving optimal physical, social, and emotional health. Acts as expert team member around social determinants of health, system navigation, and community resources. Provides direct patient care as well as administrative tasks related to clinic SDH screening. Responsibilities include culturally appropriate health promotion and education, outreach, and community engagement.

The Community Health Worker demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills, is self-directed, and is skilled at developing relationships quickly. The incumbent is efficient and effective in assessing and delivering direct patient care, has an in-depth knowledge of local community resources, is innovative, thinks creatively, and demonstrates flexibility.

Function/Duties of Position

Direct Patient Services and Documentation

• Respond to care team referrals and patient self-referrals for care coordination, individual and family support, health promotion, and resource system navigation. Areas of knowledge include mother/baby, substance use, mental health, senior services, disability, basic needs (housing, food, clothing), chronic disease management, supportive counseling, behavioral activation.
• Documents services appropriately in EHR in accordance with existing workflows to ensure continuity of care.
• Maintains accessibility via department standard means (phone, pager, email, etc)
• Maintains appropriate professional boundaries as a part of the primary care team.

Health Education/Promotion

• Develops and delivers culturally congruent and trauma informed health education classes, presentations, and written materials for a variety of audiences to include healthcare providers, community members, and patients. Such classes and materials could focus on system navigation, management of chronic diseases, and concrete skills such as healthful cooking or money management.
  
• Develops systems and services that encourage patient engagement and increase health behavior change. Innovation in this area may include community-based interventions, home visits, family system intervention.

Outreach

• Performs assessment of clinic community and patient population needs in coordination with appropriate clinic leadership.
• Develops and delivers outreach to identified targeted populations.
• Coordinates and collaborates with community partners to increase successful patient referrals.
• Represents and promotes program to internal and community partners.

Community Engagement

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with care team members, patients, and community partners.
• Participates in regular team, group, and individual care conferences in order to provide CHW professional perspective and provide support for patient, as needed.
• Collaborates with clinic patient advisory groups in order to increase participation through bridging relational gaps.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 2 years relevant work experience in mission-driven organization with one of those years being work experience with underserved populations with complex medical and social needs. Preferred experience in community outreach services providing health information, advocacy, social support, and assistance engaging with the healthcare system.
• Certification as Traditional Healthcare Worker (THW) required. Traditional Health Worker types include Doula, Peer Support Specialist (PSS), Peer Wellness Specialist (PWS), Personal Health Navigator (PHN) and Community Health Worker (CHW). Type preference may be determined by service need.
• Fluency in written and spoken English. Must be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Excellent telephone communication skills.
• Must possess a valid motor vehicle driver license in good standing and must be eligible to operate a motor vehicle owned by OHSU or other agency; or demonstrate the ability to access transportation to meet the requirements of the position.
• BLS/CPR certification within 6 weeks of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Intermediate level skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Understanding of Social Determinants of Health and role of SDH in healthcare.
• Ability to work independently utilizing critical thinking, problem solving, and time management skills.
• Skill in developing and maintaining professional relationships quickly.
• Ability to plan and deliver interactive health education classes and presentations for a variety of groups.
• Demonstrated understanding of trauma informed and patient centered care or willingness to learn.
• Ability to interpret and follow policies and procedures.
• Experience working in a medical service delivery system or health plan (Medicare, Medicaid).
• Experience providing direct service, community outreach, and/or advocacy.

Additional Details

• Frequent interruptions in an environment of frequent change and fluctuations.
• May be exposed to body fluids, tissue, possible radiation exposure, and infectious processes.
• Subject to computer work for several hours, as needed.
• Requires a valid Oregon driver’s license, vehicle and the ability to drive up to 8 hours.
• Standing: On concrete, vinyl, or carpeting up to 4 hours per day and intermittently.
• Sitting: Chair or stool continuous up to 8 hours per day and intermittently.
• Changing Position: Intermittently, as needed.
• Walking: Intermittently up to 8 hours per day on concrete, vinyl, and carpeting.
• Bending: From the waist and knees, frequently throughout the day.
• Reaching/Handling: Fine manipulation, repetitive, gross motor requiring full ROM in upper extremeties, including overhead reaching.
• Twisting: All ROM required, intermittent periods, throughout the day.
• Climbing: Staircase, intermittently throughout the day.