Behavioral Health Community Outreach Coordinator & Patient Engagement in East Orange, New Jersey at CareWell Health

Job Summary

The Behavioral Health Community Outreach Coordinator serves as the central coordinator for behavioral health community outreach activities and for staff assigned to outreach functions. This role combines community engagement, healthcare knowledge, patient navigation, outreach planning, referral relationship development, and day-to-day coordination of outreach staff. The coordinator organizes outreach activities, assigns and communicates outreach responsibilities, provides on-site or activity-based supervision to staff assigned to outreach, and ensures outreach work is completed consistently with established procedures and organizational expectations. The position maintains an active presence in the community and supports relationships with community organizations, referral sources, and underserved populations to improve awareness of and access to Behavioral Health services.

Essential Functions

1. Represents Behavioral Health and the hospital at community events, churches, health fairs, housing communities, schools, social service agencies, and local organizations.
2. Coordinates the planning, scheduling, staffing, and execution of community outreach activities, presentations, health fairs, referral visits, and community partner meetings.
3. Coordinates staff assigned to outreach activities by communicating assignments, locations, schedules, expectations, required materials, and follow-up responsibilities.
4. Provides direct supervision and oversight to staff while they are assigned to community outreach functions, including on-site guidance when applicable.
5. Ensures staff assigned to outreach understand their responsibilities, follow established procedures, appropriately represent Behavioral Health services, and maintain professional and culturally responsive interactions.
6. Monitors completion of required outreach documentation and ensures assigned staff communicate referrals, barriers to care, community concerns, and follow-up needs.
7. Serves as a resource to outreach staff during assigned activities and escalates staffing, safety, operational, or service-access concerns to appropriate leadership when needed.
8. Conducts community outreach both indoors and outdoors and engages residents in meaningful conversations about available Behavioral Health and hospital services.
9. Assists individuals in understanding available services, referral pathways, and how to access or schedule care.
10. Develops and maintains relationships with community organizations, healthcare providers, social service agencies, schools, faith-based organizations, housing programs, and other referral sources.
11. Serves as a primary outreach contact for community partners and coordinates referrals and follow-up with appropriate Behavioral Health and hospital departments.
12. Identifies barriers to care, including transportation, language, insurance, and access concerns, and communicates identified barriers to leadership and appropriate departments.
13. Maintains the community outreach calendar and coordinates staff participation, outreach materials, supplies, and logistical needs for scheduled activities.
14. Maintains and reviews outreach documentation and tracks community contacts, referrals, patient engagement, event participation, follow-up activity, and outcomes; prepares routine outreach reports for leadership.
15. Conducts follow-up with referral sources and community partners to strengthen relationships, identify service needs, and support continuity of referrals.
16. Collaborates with Behavioral Health, Access, clinical, and administrative teams to ensure staff and community partners receive accurate information regarding services, referral pathways, and access processes.
17. Identifies opportunities to expand community partnerships and increase awareness and utilization of Behavioral Health services.
18. Supports patient recruitment, engagement, and retention initiatives through coordinated community outreach and referral follow-up.
19. Assists with other Behavioral Health community outreach and outreach staff coordination responsibilities as assigned.

Other Duties

Please note this job description does not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice

Minimum Education/Certifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation preferred based on community outreach responsibilities.

Minimum Work Experience

• Minimum of 1 years of experience in community outreach, behavioral health, healthcare, social services, patient access, or a related community-based setting preferred, including experience coordinating outreach activities, staff assignments, events, or community partnerships.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Full-time (37.5 hours weekly)
• On-site position with 80% spent at assigned community locations and events.
• Day shift with occasional weekend or holiday coverage as needed.

Physical Requirements:

The position requires prolonged periods of standing. Positions will require stooping, bending, lifting, and carrying items weighing up to 25 pounds. Position requires the ability to work at outdoor events.