Community Health Specialist

Position Overview

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment while we do not discriminate for any reason. We welcome talented individuals who believe in our mission and can drive the organization forward while impacting our communities positively. As a Community Health Specialist, you will connect patients facing barriers to care, support preventive health measures, assist patients in accessing psychosocial and/or health services, and empower them through health education and coaching. You will develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community stakeholders, help patients navigate health care and social transitions, and be an integral part of an interdisciplinary care team.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage patients in a collaborative, ongoing relationship to help facilitate their care.
• Promote programs and services for families, providing health care and social information that encourages self-management.
• Market ACCESS programs and services and empower people to engage in available health programs.
• Educate on basic medical illnesses, diseases, and/or behavioral health needs.
• Assess patients’ strengths and needs and develop intervention plans in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team.
• Provide ongoing follow-up with patients and service providers to ensure access to services from initial identification through case closure.
• Make home visits and perform case management activities in community settings as required by program guidelines.
• Conduct or co-lead group interventions in accordance with program guidelines.
• Serve as part of the patient’s care team while supporting health center operations and meeting organizational metrics.
• Establish effective and respectful relationships with patients, families, professionals, payers, and other relevant parties.
• Assist in developing and maintaining community referral relationships and effectively connecting patients and families to resources.
• Engage in community planning groups or meetings to support social and health care needs.
• Utilize information systems and decision support to maintain a risk-adjusted caseload and provide direct case management services addressing specific health issues.
• Complete documentation and data entry to ensure optimal patient care and accurate program reporting.
• Participate in evaluating outcomes on both an individual and agency-wide level as part of quality improvement efforts.
• Obtain and maintain necessary certifications, licensures, and trainings.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High School diploma required.
• One (1) year customer service experience or two (2) years of experience in a public or private social service or health care setting.
• Basic familiarity with medical terminology.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in a health-related field (social work, psychology, counseling, rehabilitation, gerontology, sociology, or other human service field).
• Demonstrated knowledge of working in a community-based or public health setting.
• One (1) year call center or case management experience or two (2) years of experience in a public or private social service or health care setting.
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office products (specifically, Word, Excel, Outlook).

Competencies & Behaviors

• Communication – Strong written, oral, and presentation skills; ability to share information tailored to the audience’s needs.
• Customer/Patient Orientation – A strong desire to respond to and meet patient needs, requirements, and expectations.
• Organizational skills – Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Collaborative – Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Time and Priority Management – Capable of multitasking in a fast-paced environment while respecting deadlines.
• Cultural Competency – Experience working in a multi-cultural environment with respect and openness towards diverse backgrounds.
• Emotional Intelligence – Exhibits confidence, empathy, and respect when communicating with patients, leadership, and staff.

Additional Information

Compensation: The pay ranges provided represent the minimum to mid-range for positions. Actual compensation will be determined based on a combination of factors including years of experience, educational background, market conditions, and available grant funding.

ACCESS is a Network of Federally Qualified Health Centers treating patients on the frontlines of community-based health care. Depending on the position applied for, candidates may be required to be vaccinated against communicable diseases and provide supporting documentation, or apply for a religious and/or medical vaccination exemption as part of the application process.