Community Health Worker - RHTP Closing Date: 7/28/26 in Lincoln, Nebraska at Ponca Tribe of Nebraska

Summary:

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is a federally recognized Tribe with its ancestral homeland located in Niobrara, NE. The Tribe does not have a reservation in the classic definition; rather, the Ponca Restoration Act defined its jurisdiction as a ‘Service Delivery Area’ comprised of 15 counties throughout parts of Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota. Within its Service Delivery Area, the Tribe offers a broad range of health, social, educational, and cultural services.

Incumbent will be responsible for implementing outreach health care services and health promotion/disease prevention services to Native Americans.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Assist the Population/Public Health Department in developing, implement, and expand community based healthcare services.
2. Provide extensive outreach to Native Americans located in the Ponca service areas, encouraging, supporting and educating members by providing health promotion/disease prevention information and instruction in self-help services that address chronic health problems.
3. Conduct Native American public gatherings to conduct training sessions in the areas of safety, nutrition/dietetics, environmental health, and in other areas of trending health concerns.
4. Provide in-home visits to monitor status of healthcare services to assist patients with chronic health problems, mobility, and telehealth services from their residence.
5. Facilitate communications between community members and health care providers to enhance accessibility and acceptability of health care facilities.
6. Develop a referral network to assist Tribal members in meeting their health care needs and assess community health care resources to determine and address gaps in care.
7. Design and implement health education programs that provide primary, secondary, tertiary care. Providing prevention education, nutrition education, cholesterol screening, blood pressure checks and other health related education.
8. Serve as a patient advocate and care coordinator by arranging appointments, transportation to appointments, assisting patients with filling out forms or applications, and planning for follow-up services. Reduce the barriers to access healthcare for those at high-risk and underserved populations.
9. Provide limited/local transportation for health care appointments per transportation policy and utilize transportation referral forms when no other transportation is available.
10. Make regular contact with clients with known chronic health diagnosis or at high risk of illness to ensure needs are being met. In addition, utilizing EHR quality outcomes data for patients that are past due for follow-up appointments and preventative screenings.
11. Complete all required training pertaining to the CHW program to include the IHS CHR Online Training Modules, BLS CPR Training, personal training certificate, and other trainings identified by the department.
12. Complete all required reports and documentation pertaining to the CHW program and other required reports as directed by the Population/Public Health Director and Supervisor for RHTP CHW program.
13. Adhere to CHW matrix and scope of work per program.
14. Network with service providers and strengthen partnerships with state, federal and local healthcare system partners.
15. Maintain confidentiality.
16. Other duties as assigned.

Relationships and Authority:

This position has no supervisory authority.

Working Environment and Physical Demands:

Physical requirements include carrying/lifting up to 5 pounds, frequently; up to 10 pounds, regularly; and up to 25 pounds, occasionally. Visual acuity, speech and hearing; hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to drive an automobile and operate computer keyboard and basic office equipment; subject to carrying, lifting, twisting and reaching to perform essential job functions. Working conditions are primarily in an office environment with occasional travel to other locations. At times staff may be required to work with patients/clients who are in crisis and demonstrate empathy, understanding, respect, and advocacy while remaining calm in stressful situations

Qualifications:

Minimum:

1. Associate’s degree in health or related field or equivalent combination of experience and education in health or related field.
2. One year of health-related setting experience.
   1. Primary Care – Pediatrics, Adult and/or Geriatrics
   2. Dental services
   3. Behavioral Health services
   4. Pharmacy
   5. Electronic Health Record (EHR -APRIMA)
   6. Population/Public Health
3. Computer proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access programs.
4. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
5. Valid driver’s license and be insurable.
6. Successfully pass drug and alcohol testing, motor vehicle, education, character, and criminal background checks.
7. Able and willing to travel.

Preferred:

1. Bachelor’s degree in health-related field.
2. Certified Nurse’s Aide or Certified Medical Assistant
3. One or more years of experience in population/public health outreach care to patients.
4. One or more years of experience working with Native Americans or Native American organizations.
5. Knowledge and understanding of Public Law 93-638: Indian Self-Determination Act.

Preference will be given to Ponca Tribe of Nebraska members or members of a federally recognized tribe. However, all qualified individuals are eligible.

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is an at-will employer.

This position is funded through a CMS and State-funded initiative. Continued employment is contingent upon the availability of funding.

Tribal Council Approval: 07/06/2026