Community Health Worker in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at The Family Practice & Counseling Services Network

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Community Health Worker (CHW) is a trusted member of the local community who helps the community improve their health through a range of outreach, education, prevention, and patient navigation service activities. They seek to promote the community’s voice within the health care system, while playing an active role on patients’ care teams. The CHW will have a regular presence in the community they serve and will provide patient support in accessing and using appropriate medical and behavioral health care as well as specialty services and help improve their understanding of chronic disease management and preventive health care. The CHW should be a “natural helper” in the local community, exhibiting good rapport with patients, as well as acting as a liaison among individuals, the health center and area social service providers. The CHW will have the skills and life experience necessary to understand what patients are going through in relation to health challenges and will help them get through difficult times. CHWs act as caring neighbors to help patients address the social and medical problems that lead to poor health outcomes.

This CHW position is funded through the PHA CARES (Community Action Response and Educational Services) Program, a partnership led by Temple University’s Lenfest Center for Community Workforce Partnerships in collaboration with the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA). As a Family Practice & Counseling Services Network (FPCSN) employee based at Health Annex, the CHW serves as a full member of the FPCSN care team while dedicating their effort to support PHA residents and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) recipients. In this role, the CHW conducts group and individual health promotion and education focused on chronic disease, leads PHA CARES outreach events, and connects PHA/HCV residents to medical, behavioral health, and social service resources. The position is grant-funded and contingent upon continued PHA CARES funding.

LOCATION:
This position is on-site in our Health Annex center: 6120B Woodland Ave., Philadelphia

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Engage Patients

1. Assist patients in making and keeping appointments including diagnostic screenings for breast, colon or cervical cancer, and specialty medical care.
2. Motivate patients to be active and engage participants in their health by developing health management plans and goals including exercise and diet.
3. Coach patients in effective management of their chronic health conditions and self-care, assisting them in understanding care plans and instructions.
4. Accompany residents to their appointments at the health center and support them in communicating with their health care provider.
5. Contact clients in person, by phone, or in writing to ensure they have completed the required or recommended actions. Assess barriers and connect to resources as appropriate.
6. Call patients and assess barriers to health and connect patients to resources and make referrals to resources, as needed.
7. Conduct and support group or individual health promotion and education related to chronic diseases for PHA/HCV residents, including virtual or in-person information sessions and events, phone calls, or one-on-one meetings with residents on site.
8. Make logistical arrangements for and actively lead PHA CARES outreach events, including tabling, pop-ups, and workshops, and conduct ongoing outreach to PHA residents.

Resources

1. Continuously expand knowledge and understanding of community resources, services and programs and connect patients to resources and/or entitlements as indicated, assisting them in completing applications. For PHA/HCV residents, this includes resources such as access to food, prescription pick-up or delivery, applications for financial support, and referrals to other community resources.
2. Attend community meetings, health fairs and community advisory committee meetings to understand community issues or build relationships with community members.
3. Distribute flyers, brochures, or other informational or educational documents to inform members of a targeted community activity.

Documentation

1. Complete and maintain accurate documentation and data tracking, as required.
2. Provide feedback to health service providers regarding improving service accessibility or acceptability.
3. Attend program staff meetings and training as scheduled, including PHA CARES program meetings as required by PHA or Temple.
4. Report on service contacts and provide aggregate demographic data, service outputs, and outcomes for PHA CARES reporting.
5. Document visits in the Electronic Health Records.
6. Attend the CHW orientation and training, completing necessary coursework in a satisfactory manner.

EXPERIENCE AND REQUIREMENTS:
Candidates should possess a diverse range of skills and experience, including but not limited to:

Required Education and Experience

• High School diploma or GED required
• 2 years working with people in the health field preferred
• Familiarity with the Philadelphia Housing Authority communities or experience serving public housing / Housing Choice Voucher residents preferred.
• Certified Health Worker (CHW Certification) preferred.

Other Qualifications

• Ability to pass required background screenings.
• Current valid CPR Certification is required.
• Maintain reliable transportation to travel throughout the network, to PHA housing sites, and/or participate in events outside the network as needed.
• Required Immunizations: Hep B Vaccination and TB/PPD Test.
• Optional Immunizations: Covid Vaccination and Flu Vaccination.

Lifting Requirements

LIGHT – Exerting up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. The use of arm and/or leg control requires force greater than sedentary, but the worker still sits the majority of the time.

Physical Requirement

Stand or Sit (stationary position)

Walk

Use hands or fingers to handle or feel (operate, activate, prepare, inspect, position)

Climb (stairs/ladders)

Talk/Hear (communicate, converse, convey, express/exchange information)

See (detect, identify, recognize, inspect, assess)

Pushing or Pulling

Repetitive Motion

Reaching (high or low)

Kneel, Stoop, Crouch, or Crawl (position self, move)

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

Equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, genetic information, or veteran or disability status.

VISA SPONSORSHIP:

FPCSN does not provide Visa Sponsorship. All candidates must be U.S. citizens and/or authorized to work in the United States without Sponsorship.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT:

FPCSN is committed to maintaining a professional and welcoming environment for all staff and patients. We support continuous learning and team development that enhances cultural understanding, service excellence, and workplace collaboration.