We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We do not discriminate for any reason. We welcome talented individuals who believe in our mission, drive the organization forward, and recognize the positive impact they can bring to our communities.
Position Summary
Community Health Specialists connect/link patients that have barriers to care, support preventive aspects of health, assists patients in accessing psychosocial and/or health services and support patient empowerment through health education and coaching. Community Health Specialists develop and maintain collaborative relationships with community key stakeholders, gatekeepers and other community organizations, assist patients in navigating health care and social transitions, and support patient empowerment through health education and coaching.

Core Job Responsibilities

• Engage patient assigned or referred for community health specialist in a collaborative on-going relationship to help facilitate their care
• Promote programs and services for families and provide health care and social information that encourages self-management
• Market ACCESS programs and services and empower people to engage in the health programs
• Educate on basic medical illness, diseases and/or behavioral health needs.
• Assess patient’s strengths and needs and develop a plan for intervention. Care planning and coordination is done in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team
• Provide ongoing follow-up with patients and/or service providers to determine whether patients have accessed services. Follow-up should be continuous from initial identification through case closure.
• Make home visits and conduct case management activities in community settings as required by program guidelines
• Conduct or co-lead group interventions as required by program guidelines
• Serve as part of the patient’s care team and support health center operations and attainment of organizational metrics
• Establish effective and respectful relationships with patients, families, professionals, payers and other relevant parties
• Assist in developing/maintaining community referral relationships and effectively connecting patients and families to community resources
• Engage in community planning groups and/or meetings to support the social and health care needs
• Using information systems and decision support, maintain a risk-adjusted caseload, and provide direct case management services to address specific issues affecting their health risk or health status
• Complete documentation and data entry as needed to assure optimal patient care and program reporting – track outcomes of outreach efforts
• Participate in evaluating outcomes at the individual level with each patient and at the same time participate in agency-wide evaluative and quality improvement efforts
• Obtain & maintain certifications/licensure/trainings as needed
• Perform other duties assigned

Requirements/Preferences

• High School diploma required; Bachelor’s degree preferred in a health-related field (social work, psychology, counseling, rehabilitation, gerontology, sociology, or other human service field).
• Required: one (1) year customer service experience or two (2) years of experience is a public or private social service program or health care setting.
• Preferred: Demonstrated knowledge of working in a community based or public health setting.
• Preferred: one (1) year call center or case management experience or two (2) years of experience in a public or private social service program or health care setting.
• Required: Basic familiarity with medical terminology
• Preferred: Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office products (specifically, Word, Excel, Outlook)

Competencies/Behaviors

• Communication - Strong written, oral, and presentation skills; ability to share information that aligns with audience needs
• Customer/Patient Orientation - Interact with patients with the desire to respond to and meet their needs, requirements and expectations
• Organizational skills; strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Collaborative - Work independently as well as within a team
• Time and priority management - multitask and work in a fast-paced environment, respect for deadlines
• Cultural competency – experience and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment; shows respect and openness towards individuals whose social and cultural background is different from one’s own.
• Emotional Intelligence - exhibits confidence, empathy and respect when communicating with customers (patients), leadership and staff

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

• Engage patient assigned or referred for community health specialist in a collaborative on-going relationship to help facilitate their care
• Promote programs and services for families and provide health care and social information that encourages self-management
• Market ACCESS programs and services and empower people to engage in the health programs
• Educate on basic medical illness, diseases and/or behavioral health needs.
• Assess patient’s strengths and needs and develop a plan for intervention. Care planning and coordination is done in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team
• Provide ongoing follow-up with patients and/or service providers to determine whether patients have accessed services. Follow-up should be continuous from initial identification through case closure.
• Make home visits and conduct case management activities in community settings as required by program guidelines
• Conduct or co-lead group interventions as required by program guidelines
• Serve as part of the patient’s care team and support health center operations and attainment of organizational metrics
• Establish effective and respectful relationships with patients, families, professionals, payers and other relevant parties
• Assist in developing/maintaining community referral relationships and effectively connecting patients and families to community resources
• Engage in community planning groups and/or meetings to support the social and health care needs
• Using information systems and decision support, maintain a risk-adjusted caseload, and provide direct case management services to address specific issues affecting their health risk or health status
• Complete documentation and data entry as needed to assure optimal patient care and program reporting – track outcomes of outreach efforts
• Participate in evaluating outcomes at the individual level with each patient and at the same time participate in agency-wide evaluative and quality improvement efforts
• Obtain & maintain certifications/licensure/trainings as needed
• Perform other duties assigne