Community Health Worker II

Location: Commerce Place

Work Days: Days, occasional weekends and evenings

Category: Human and Social Services

Department: Health Access & Outreach

Job Type: Part Time

Work Shift: Day

Hours/Week: 32

Union Name: Union of Social Workers

Department Description

At Cambridge Health Alliance, our Department of Community Health is dedicated to improving the well-being of our communities through collaborative partnerships, education, and accessible clinical services. We are committed to reducing health inequities, understanding and addressing the unique health needs of our community members, and serving as a vital link between patients, staff, and essential community resources. Our work is driven by a focus on health justice and equity, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their best health.

Summary

The Community Health Worker (CHW) II will work closely with various CHA departments and community partners who serve as a liaison between healthcare, municipal systems, and the community to facilitate access to services, address barriers to care, increase the delivery of culturally appropriate services and actively build individual and community capacity. This position will be assigned to work in the communities primarily within CHA’s catchment area and work to improve community resilience and address identified health priorities and Social Determinants of Health challenges of patients and community members. The CHW will be embedded in CHA clinics, community agencies, and in the local Boards of Health within CHA’s catchment area. The CHW helps strengthen CHAs response efforts to health concerns and addresses existing health disparities. The CHW executes programs that support and empower communities and health systems in equitable access to health care services, and equip partners to handle future emergencies, such as pandemics, in ways that mitigates inequities. All responsibilities of the CHW will be consistent with the scopes of practice acts governing community health workers in Massachusetts.

Qualifications/Requirements

The CHW shares ethnicity, language, socioeconomic status and/or life experiences with the community members they serve. We seek a high energy individual with excellent interpersonal, organizational, and computer skills. Must have the ability to multitask and effectively interact with all members of the health care team, including patients. Must maintain confidentiality around patient issues and take initiative to proactively organize and manage the responsibilities of the job. Must be flexible and empathic while engaging patients and problem-solving barriers to improving their health. Requires daily travel between primary care sites, hospitals/ specialty care, or community locations

Language: Bilingual (English and Portuguese, Haitian Creole or Spanish) strongly preferred.

Education/Training: College degree in health science, social science or health preferred or 3 yrs of relevant community work experience in program topic area Licensure: Community Health Worker Certification or Certification eligible

Work Experience: Minimum of two years experience in community health worker role required.

In keeping with federal, state and local laws, Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) policy forbids employees and associates to discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, color, gender, age, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by law. We are committed to establishing and maintaining a workplace free of discrimination. We are fully committed to equal employment opportunity. We will not tolerate unlawful discrimination in the recruitment, hiring, termination, promotion, salary treatment or any other condition of employment or career development. Furthermore, we will not tolerate the use of discriminatory slurs, or other remarks, jokes or conduct, that in the judgment of CHA, encourage or permit an offensive or hostile work environment.

Cambridge Health Alliance brings Care to the People - including your neighbors, friends and family. Our local hospitals and care centers serve our vibrant, diverse communities, and play an integral role in improving health. As passionate advocates for the underserved, we actively partner with our communities to take on challenging public health issues, and conduct important research to help reduce barriers to care. We believe that everyone deserves access to high quality, convenient health care. This is why our employees believe in where they work and why many build long, rewarding careers at CHA.

Healthcare is changing rapidly. CHA has a strategic plan that charts a proactive course for our future. It is built on a vision of equity and excellence for everyone, every time. It also recognizes that our workforce is our most valuable asset and prioritizes competitive salaries, benefits and professional development opportunities for employees. The strategic plan is changing the way we provide care and improving the health and experience of our patients; we are looking for smart, committed, compassionate people who want to be part of making our vision of better health and equity a reality.

At CHA, you can believe in where you work and go home every day knowing you made a difference. Join our team and help us bring Care to the People.