Community Health Worker

The Office for
Community Health at the University of New Mexico's Health Sciences
Center is
currently looking to hire Full Time Community Health Workers for day and night shifts at the Gateway Center. They will join a team of Social and Public
Health Workers and managers, and provide rapid resource referrals and
community
connector/navigator services to high-need guests at the Gateway
Receiving Area located
on 5400 Gibson Blvd SE, a grant-funded collaboration between the City of
Albuquerque and UNM HSC's Office of Community Health. The Gateway
Receiving Area site will operate by harm reduction principles and
practices. Staff are expected to comply with public health
evidence-based and best practices at all times while at work. You will
help
plan, deliver, and staff the 24/7 services at the short-term Community
Connector services site at 5400 Gibson Bl SE.

We are seeking a compassionate, collaborative individual with
strong and compassionate communication skills with the ability to problem-solve
efficiently, independently and as part of a team as is required and
appropriate. Because
the program is new and innovative, you will help us create the model, applying
your CHW perspective, skills and experience.

Duties
and Responsibilities:
1. Assists clients in site and
community settings. Communicates to clients/patients the purposes of the
program and the impact it may have on their wellbeing. Helps patients
identify socio-economic issues that affect their overall health and
develop health/social management plans and goals using Harm Reduction
principles that are non-judgmental and meet the client "where they are
at";.
2. Provides lay-counseling interventions, including
Motivational Interviewing, as appropriate to the position; welcomes site
guests via screening and intake, prepares program engagement plans,
exit plans, and acts as a resource for follow-up referral and placement
with partner organizations, behavioral, medical, dental, &/or mental
health providers;
3. Documents all client encounters and contracts
made on behalf of clients; completes and submits monthly reports;
maintains comprehensive electronic client files, which include client
notes, release of information, assessments and other medical documents
acquired on behalf of the client. Documents activities, service plans,
and outcomes achieved by client in an effective manner.
4. Collects
data about patients through basic vitals, Social Determinants of Health
assessment, interview, case history, and/or observational techniques;
evaluates data to identify causes of problems and to determine program
appropriateness or referral to other resources.
5. Must take and pass
yearly training and evaluation by an appropriate-licensed medical
professional to remain proficient in measuring vital signs;
6.
Educates client on the proper use of the Emergency Room and provides
information for alternatives. Coaches patients in effective management
of their chronic health conditions and self-care using compassionate,
collaborative communications skills applied to unhoused complex
clientele. Assists patient in understanding care plans and instructions.
Motivates patients/clients to be active and engaged participants in
their health and overall wellbeing, with skills to help strategize
through extreme social and economic deficits.
7. Assists clients in
accessing health related services, including but not limited to:
obtaining a medical home, providing instruction on appropriate use of
the medical home, overcoming barriers to obtaining needed medical care
and /or social services.
8. Provides support and advocacy during
initial site visit or when necessary to assure clients' medical needs
and referrals required are being conveyed. Follows up with both clients
and providers regarding health/social services plans when appropriate;
9.
Facilitates communication and coordinate services between providers and
the clients/patients. Coordinates and monitors services, including
comprehensive tracking of clients' compliance in relation to care plan
objectives.
10. May transport guests to local resources in City-owned van with Driver Safety Certification
11. Workload includes engaging with at-risk populations with complex psycho-social histories
12. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

See the Position Description for additional information.

• Possession of a valid New Mexico driver's license is a requirement for this job.
• Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check.
• Fingerprinting, and subsequent clearance, may be required for this position depending on assignment.
• May be required to obtain a Community Support Worker (CSW) certification within six months of hire.
• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.
• Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check.

High school diploma or GED; at least 1 year of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

-Experience with or interest in working in
rapid-paced environment with unhoused guests in need of referrals to resources
- Ability to work flexible hours when
needed

Only applications submitted through
the official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this job
advertisement on a 3rd party site, please
visit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.