Community Health Worker-Rural Healthcare

About the job

Excelsior Wellness in Spokane is hiring a full-time community health worker (CHW) for its rural healthcare initiatives, including services tied to the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model. The CHW helps people in rural and underserved communities get past barriers to care and reach health care, social services and other community resources.

What you'll do

• Help individuals and families get health care, health insurance, housing, food assistance and other community supports
• Teach individuals and groups about health promotion, disease prevention and the services available to them
• Complete individual health and resource assessments to spot barriers and needs
• Coordinate care with community partners, medical providers and behavioral health staff
• Make referrals and help with applications and follow-up
• Advocate for clients and help them understand health care and public assistance systems
• Build working relationships with local organizations, schools, providers and agencies
• Offer respectful, culturally responsive support, keep accurate and confidential records, and join team meetings, training and quality improvement work

What you need

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• Community Health Worker certification
• A current Washington State Agency Affiliated Counselor credential, or the ability to get registered within 60 days of employment
• A minimum of three years working with youth and families
• Thorough knowledge of public assistance programs, social service systems and community resources
• Strong communication, organization and multitasking skills, sound ethical judgment and the ability to manage stress
• Must pass criminal background screening, be at least 21 years old and hold a valid driver's license for community travel

Preferred

• A bachelor's degree in counseling or a related field
• Experience in community health, health care, behavioral health or social services
• Familiarity with integrated care models such as CCBHCs
• Experience serving rural or underserved communities, and with outreach, resource navigation, care coordination or health education
• Familiarity with culturally responsive, person-centered and trauma-informed practices

Schedule

• Full-time
• A mix of office work and regular travel to community locations, mostly within the local service area, with occasional out-of-town trips

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage with low employee premiums and deductibles
• Employer retirement contributions
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Continuing education and professional development
• Employer-paid life insurance