Community Health Worker

The Community Health Worker helps a person navigate the complex healthcare system, and acts as a liaison and advocate for vulnerable populations, especially the uninsured and homeless. The Community Health Navigator will follow-up with all uninsured persons seen in the Emergency Room but not admitted to the hospital. Additionally, the Community Health Navigator will provide follow-up for referred inpatients and persons within the community. Becoming familiar with and establishing relationships with FQHCs, low cost and free clinics, and other agencies, the Community Health Navigator will serve as a link between the person and community resources with the goal to:

1. Identify a medical home where a person has access to consistent healthcare.
2. Support individuals in obtaining access to appropriate health care services, including health education for increased knowledge to better self manage their health.
3. Health navigation that links patients to resources for improved quality through screening and assessing patients needs.
4. Completion of CHW certification program through the Charles Drew University.

The Community Health Worker does not provide clinical care and does not extend or substitute for the more specialized services of a doctor, nurse, or social worker. This position requires the full understanding and active participation in fulfilling the mission of Dignity Mercy Medical Center Merced . It is expected that the employee will demonstrate behavior consistent with the Core Values. The employee may also support Dignity Mercy Medical Center Merced’s strategic plan and the goals and direction of the quality improvement/process improvement activities.

Please note that this position is part of our Community Health Worker program in the Emergency Department. This position is a grant-funded position and may be eliminated if funds are no longer available.

Minimum:

• A minimum of one year of experience in a healthcare setting working with patients, healthcare services, medical groups, and payors is required.
• A minimum of 1 year of experience in community outreach, advocacy work within the healthcare/community.
• Valid California Driver's License in good standing required.
• Ability to use Google Workspace.
• Demonstrate ability to navigate the internet and Windows-based software applications.
• Able to provide culturally appropriate service.
• Ability to build effective relationships with patients, staff, community agencies, and community members.
• Knowledge of healthcare payors, medical groups, and services.
• Understanding of medical terminology
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Completion of the Community Health Worker certification program at Charles Drew University within 1 year of hire.

Preferred:

• Associate's Degree, preferably in a healthcare-related field
• Bilingual Spanish speaker with the ability to read and write Spanish preferred.

Mercy Medical Center, a Dignity Health member, has been building a rich history of care in our community for more than 100 years. We have grown from a small one-story wooden structure into a major healthcare provider with a new 186-bed main campus, offering the latest in facility design and technology. Mercy also operates Outpatient Centers, a Cancer Center and several rural clinics.

Wherever you work throughout our system, you will find faces of experience with dedication to high quality, personalized care. Joining our 1,300 employees, 230 physicians and many volunteers, you can help carry out our commitment to providing our community with the excellence they have come to associate with Mercy Medical Center.

One Community. One Mission. One California